What Is the Knowing Mind?

The knowing mind, generally speaking, refers to the seven consciousnesses—the knowing that perceives the six sense objects; in special cases it refers specifically to the mind consciousness, because the mind consciousness has the strongest and broadest scope of perception.

The "soul" (hun) always refers to the mind consciousness, which can engage with the six sense objects and discern the six sense objects. It is precisely because it can discern the six sense objects that one can be frightened into panic, as in the expressions "the soul leaves the body," "the soul flies and the spirit scatters," "losing one's soul," and "the soul no longer guarding its abode." The manas forever guards the body, never leaving, losing, or scattering from it; otherwise the body would become a corpse. How much more so is this the case with the eighth consciousness.