The Five Object-Specific Mental Factors

The Five Object-Specific Mental Factors also accompany the functioning of consciousness, serving an auxiliary role in its operation. However, they do not universally accompany consciousness at all times, nor do they accompany it in all circumstances, though they can accompany it in all states of existence.

The Desire Mental Factor refers to consciousness having the desire, intention, thought, or demand to engage in some operation. It acts as the cause that triggers subsequent functioning of consciousness, yet desire is not constantly present. The Resolved Understanding Mental Factor is consciousness's thorough comprehension of dharmas (phenomena). Only when consciousness possesses this power of resolved understanding and comprehends the dharmas can it make correct choices and engage in wise, reality-conforming operation. The Mindfulness Mental Factor is consciousness's recollection of dharmas it intends to operate upon or is currently operating upon, triggering subsequent choices, operations, and continued functioning regarding those dharmas. The Concentration Mental Factor is the state of focused consciousness—a condition free from distraction or dullness, where consciousness's attention is highly concentrated and unified. The Wisdom Mental Factor is consciousness's powerful capacity for discernment, comprehension, receptivity, discrimination, decisive choice, and operational capability; it is consciousness's robust ability to process matters.

These five capacities do not manifest constantly; they arise only under specific conditions. However, the Resolved Understanding, Concentration, and Wisdom of the Eighth Consciousness (Ālaya-vijñāna) are constantly present, constantly manifesting, existing everywhere, manifesting everywhere. Their discernment and operation pervade all dharmas and extend throughout the functioning within the Three Realms and Nine Stages of Existence.