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This book primarily elucidates the manifold nature and functional roles of the mental faculty (manas). It focuses on the crucial position and function of manas within the process of Buddhist cultivation and realization, emphasizing the meritorious effect of manas in attaining fruition. It also clarifies the primary role of manas in investigative practice. In summary, both the cultivation and realization of the Dharma fundamentally revolve around manas. Without manas, there can be no talk of genuine practice, much less actual realization; any such efforts would bear no fruit. The cultivation of all dharmas must ultimately converge upon and reach manas to have genuine meaning and result, and to achieve accomplishment. Sentient beings in the Dharma-ending age are generally restless in mind, possessing shallow and sparse virtuous roots, heavy greed and desire, and meager merit. The chaos and busyness of worldly affairs make upholding precepts difficult and cultivating concentration difficult; the mind cannot settle into purity. Buddhists nowadays predominantly focus on acquiring knowledge. They often mistake the theories they learn, the emotional thoughts and intellectual understanding of the conscious mind, for actual realization. They mistake results deduced through speculation, reasoning, and research for genuine realization, deceiving themselves and then misleading others. If one understands the nature of manas, one will recognize the true characteristics of direct realization and distinguish it from emotional thoughts and intellectual understanding. Understanding the pivotal mechanism and essential point of direct realization will help avoid falling into such errors and prevent the karmic offense of gross false speech.
