Samādhi Arises Only When the Mental Faculty is Concentrated

Question: Does the manas never focus on a single dhamma, but instead clings to all dharmas at every moment?

Answer: The manas indeed possesses the function and intrinsic nature to cling to all dharmas, yet it neither necessarily clings to all dharmas simultaneously, nor is it necessarily willing to cling to all dharmas at once, nor does it necessarily have the energy to cling to all dharmas concurrently. The manas is extremely scattered, clinging to numerous dharmas at the same time. When the mind-consciousness is unwilling to follow and cling along with it, the manas realizes that such haphazard clinging is futile. Consequently, it ceases to cling to dharmas that do not interest the mind-consciousness, gradually settles down, and progressively concentrates its energy, thereby subduing its own scattered mind, leading to the emergence of samādhi. This is the result of cultivating concentration, the outcome of the mind-consciousness's wisdom exerting its influence, and the effect of the mind-consciousness's restraint.

Therefore, the manas is capable of attaining samādhi, capable of subduing its own tendency towards extensive clinging, and its mind can become increasingly concentrated, to the point of focusing more and more intently on certain dharmas or specific aspects of dharmas. When its attention becomes focused and prioritized, and it selectively clings to specific dharmas, the manas attains stability (samādhi). Regarding matters in which it is deeply interested, the manas can naturally concentrate and focus its energy without needing restraint from the mind-consciousness. The six consciousnesses will then be restrained by the manas to focus on the matters that interest it. Hence, to cultivate samādhi effectively, the mind-consciousness should select dharmas that greatly interest the manas for the manas to cling to. Once the manas settles into concentration in this way, samādhi will emerge, and samādhi can be swiftly attained.