All Dharmas Must Be Audited and Governed by Manas

The character "审" (scrutiny) in the phrase "意根恒审思量" (the constant scrutiny and deliberation of the manas) reveals the mental activity of the manas and exposes the function it performs. This demonstrates that the manas is not useless or merely decorative; it has a crucially decisive role and is a dynamic and vibrant consciousness.

The manas scrutinizes every dhamma (phenomenon) it encounters. It scrutinizes all phenomena cognized by the six consciousnesses. If the scrutiny results in approval, a decision is made, and the matter is processed. What role, then, does the manas play in Chan (Zen) meditation? What role does it play in cutting off the view of self (sakkāya-diṭṭhi)? What role does it play in realizing the mind and perceiving the true nature (明心见性)? What role does it play in realizing all dharmas? In all these, it plays the decisive role.

All dharmas must undergo the vetting of the manas. If the manas has not scrutinized and approved them, they cannot be processed. From this, the dominant position and authoritative nature of the manas are evident. When the manas scrutinizes, it has its own conscious activity; it must deliberate and is not entirely subservient to the six consciousnesses, immediately accepting whatever they cognize. Therefore, everything perceived by the six consciousnesses must be made perfectly clear to the manas. If the manas does not clearly understand, the scrutiny fails approval, cannot pass, and the manas cannot make a decision. Cutting off the view of self and realizing the mind and perceiving the true nature must both undergo the scrutiny and approval of the manas. If the manas does not agree, one cannot cut off the view of self or realize the mind and perceive the true nature. The mental consciousness (mano-vijñāna) unilaterally cutting off the view of self or realizing the mind is merely its own understanding and belief. If the master leader (manas) does not agree, it is invalid. It is unreasonable for the mental consciousness to claim cutting off the view of self or realizing the mind without the leader's approval.

How can the manas arrive at results and answers by itself? By reducing the mental consciousness's analysis and thinking, and allowing the manas itself more space for deliberation and consideration. This is the most effective method. Once the mental consciousness knows the answer, it no longer wishes to investigate, and the manas then has little opportunity to investigate, making realization forever unattainable. Therefore, if the answer to realizing the mind is casually inquired about or spoken of, and the mental consciousness knows it, the manas can no longer exert effort, making realization impossible. The same applies to the content of cutting off the view of self; one should not ask the teacher to explain it too meticulously. If the mental consciousness already knows everything, the manas cannot engage in further thinking, making cutting off the view of self very difficult.

The "思" (si - deliberation) in "意根恒审思量" means discernment, deliberation, and discrimination. The "量" (liang - measurement) means measuring, evaluating, distinguishing, and considering. The mental activities of the manas—scrutiny, deliberation, and measurement—are extremely subtle and profound, difficult to detect and observe. Yet, its conscious activity is still potent, possessing a kingly authority, holding the dominant and irreplaceable position in determining all dharmas.