The Difference Between Manas and Vijnana in Doubt and Decision-Making

Question: When comparing two similar colors, after the eye consciousness has observed them, one still cannot confirm and suspects that one did not see clearly, thus deciding to look again for clearer distinction. Is this doubt and decision the doubt and decision of the eye consciousness, or of the mental consciousness, or of the mental faculty? At a traffic intersection, upon seeing the traffic lights, one decides to stop or drive. Is this decision made by the eye consciousness, the mental consciousness, or the mental faculty?

Answer: The discerning activities of the eye consciousness and mental consciousness can only occur when driven by the mental faculty; they are directed and commanded by the mental faculty, serving as its tools for discerning form objects. Given this, the mental faculty must clearly discern the form objects discerned by the eye consciousness and mental consciousness, after which it makes choices and decisions, leading to further activities of the six consciousnesses. Comparing two colors is decided and directed by the mental faculty. After the two consciousnesses discern them and cannot confirm, the mental faculty also cannot confirm. When the mental consciousness doubts the colors, the mental faculty also doubts, and thus the mental faculty decides to discern again. Although discerning and distinguishing colors is the proper function of the eye consciousness, the eye consciousness cannot bear and discern alone; it must discern together with the five sense-accompanying mental consciousness. The mental consciousness can discern the depth of colors, their names and connotations, whether they are comfortable or uncomfortable, bright or dim, and other subtle characteristics, while the eye consciousness discerns the coarse characteristics of colors, unaware of names, brightness levels, comfort levels, etc. Therefore, regarding the five sense objects related to colors, the mental faculty can also contact and discern them, but it cannot discern them clearly and requires the assistance of the two tools—the eye consciousness and the mental consciousness.

At a traffic intersection, seeing traffic lights is also discerned by the eye consciousness and mental consciousness, directed and commanded by the mental faculty. Based on the discernment of these two consciousnesses, the mental faculty makes its own discernment and thus decides to stop or drive, as well as turn left or right. Among these decisions, it is first the decision of the mental consciousness, which the mental faculty consults. The mental faculty then engages in its own deliberation to make the decision, not entirely following the opinions and views of the mental consciousness.