The Process of Spiritual Cultivation Is the Process of Transforming and Modifying the Cetasikas

The process of spiritual cultivation is the process of reversing and transforming mental factors, ultimately enabling all eight consciousnesses to fully possess the twenty-one mental factors, thereby attaining the state of non-learning in both Mahayana and Hinayana Buddhism. Bodhisattvas at the First Ground and above have eradicated fundamental afflictions, major and medium secondary afflictions. Their sixth and seventh consciousnesses transform into wisdom, and they attain the wisdom of patience with non-arising. Their mental factors correspond entirely to the twenty-one mental factors, though the five object-specific mental factors remain incomplete and imperfect, requiring further strengthening. The eleven wholesome mental factors also need enhancement and advancement, while the minor secondary afflictions must be further eliminated. Bodhisattvas on the Bodhisattva Grounds still have not completely severed ignorance within the Mahayana path; thus, the wholesome mental factor of non-ignorance is not yet fully developed. Some Bodhisattvas still have remnants of the mental factor of conceit in their mental faculty (manas), and the twenty-one mental factors require continuous refinement and strengthening. Only at the Buddha Ground are the twenty-one mental factors of the eight consciousnesses complete and ultimate, requiring no further advancement.

Because Bodhisattvas from the First to the Eighth Ground still have the obscurations of habitual afflictions, their mental factors are not yet pure and are not entirely wholesome. Upon reaching the Eighth Ground, the minor secondary afflictions are completely extinguished, habitual afflictions are eradicated, defiled seeds are further eliminated, and the twenty-one mental factors become more complete and potent. Therefore, spiritual practice is deeply connected to the elimination of afflictions and habits. The aim of practice is to eradicate afflictions, habitual afflictions, and all ignorance, thereby attaining liberation. When ignorance is completely severed, one accomplishes the Buddha Way and attains ultimate liberation. The functions of the five object-specific mental factors grow increasingly powerful as habitual afflictions are progressively eliminated. All spiritual powers and abilities are related to the five object-specific mental factors and are accomplished through them, naturally supported by the auxiliary functions of the five universal mental factors. As cultivation continuously advances, the mind consciousness inevitably undergoes change. The transformation of the mind consciousness signifies the transformation of mental factors; the alteration of mental factors is the result of spiritual practice.