The Cognition of the Six Consciousnesses and Manas

The knowing nature of the deluded mind manifests in two forms: the knowing of the six consciousnesses and the knowing of the manas. Due to differences in the depth of meditative concentration, the knowing exhibits variations in concentration and scattering, leading to distinctions in the depth, subtlety, breadth, and narrowness of the known content.

The nature of seeing, hearing, feeling, and knowing is the functional activity of consciousness seeds combined with mental factors. These activities are instantaneous, arising and ceasing in transformation, much like the flow of water. Countless water droplets forming a stream, under the influence of wind force and inertia, fluctuate between sudden urgency and slowness, sudden strength and weakness, sudden breaks and continuity. The discerning nature of the consciousness mind formed by consciousness seeds, under the influence of mental factors, similarly fluctuates between sudden strength and weakness, sudden urgency and slowness, sudden subtlety and coarseness. When the faucet is turned off, water droplets cease to flow, and the water stream vanishes; when consciousness seeds cease to flow out, the consciousness mind disappears. Where is the switch?

When knowing all dharmas, reflect upon this knowing: is it the knowing of the consciousness or the knowing of the manas? The knowing of the consciousness remains mere knowing; it cannot change or accomplish anything. The knowing of the manas can immediately accomplish and correct itself. When the practice of the Dharma reaches the level of consciousness, it is merely one hundred feet up a pole; one must still advance a further step to reach the manas. When all dharmas reach this point, one immediately attains Buddhahood, with no further practice needed.