(6) Consciousness should constantly permeate the manas (the seventh consciousness) in order to alter its inherent perceptions and concepts. While it is not difficult for consciousness to comprehend all dharmas, the true challenge lies in the understanding and cognition of the manas. Therefore, changing the conceptual framework of the manas is extremely difficult. Yet once the manas’ conceptual framework is transformed, realizing the fruition (of enlightenment) becomes attainable with ease; comprehending the true mind, perceiving one’s inherent Buddha-nature, and achieving various levels of meditative insight all likewise become attainable with ease. Once the manas realizes the fruition, its thoughts and concepts are instantly transformed.
Consciousness comprehending and then permeating the manas is the prerequisite. The subsequent work—indeed the primary work—is to enable the manas itself to personally investigate and deliberate, after which it can attain direct realization. Without this process, it remains merely intellectual understanding.
As the ancient saying goes: "A three-year-old child can speak of it, but an eighty-year-old man cannot accomplish it." Some people may speak with the profundity of a Buddha, adopting the Buddha’s level of realization as their own, yet when they themselves truly realize and embody it, they will have already become Buddhas. The meaning is that understanding the matter is very easy, but genuine realization is exceedingly difficult. Hence, sages are rare, exceedingly rare. They do not emerge suddenly merely by reading a couple of books and gaining some intellectual understanding, as some might imagine.
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