The Diverse Functions of Manas in Sentient Beings

Question: Are the functions and roles of the mental faculty (manas) the same between different people? Are the functions and roles of the mental faculty the same among sentient beings in the six realms? Are the functions and roles of the mental faculty the same between ordinary sentient beings and sages? Are the mental faculties of animals and humans the same?

Answer: The functions and roles of the mental faculty are the same for all sentient beings; only the degrees of ignorance (avidyā) and wisdom (vidyā) differ. When functioning, this results in distinctions between beneficial and harmful effects. For example, all knives possess the function of cutting. However, because knives vary in sharpness, the results they produce differ. A sharp knife cuts objects neatly, perfectly, and valuably, while a dull knife produces uneven results, rendering items unusable or even destructive, yielding no good outcome. Similarly, mental faculties with different levels of wisdom create different karmic actions, generate different afflictions, perform different karmic deeds, and thus yield different karmic results. A mental faculty with slight ignorance functions beneficially, while one burdened by deep ignorance functions harmfully, leading to vastly different outcomes. Due to the varying degrees of ignorance and wisdom in the mental faculty, sentient beings in the world are divided into different grades and ranks, distinguishing ordinary beings from sages, and the length of time required for sentient beings to attain Buddhahood differs accordingly.