The Thought of Consciousness Arises from Manas' Thought

How can consciousness be mindful of dharmas that manas is not mindful of? When manas comes into contact with the dharmas it is mindful of and seeks to discern them clearly, the tathāgatagarbha accordingly gives rise to consciousness. Consciousness, following the directives of manas, then discerns and remains mindful of the dharmas that manas is mindful of. If manas is not mindful of a dharma, it does not come into contact with it and does not seek to discern or engage with it; consequently, the tathāgatagarbha cannot give rise to consciousness to engage in the further act of mindfulness, and there will be no consciousness to be mindful of that dharma. Whatever dharma manas is not mindful of will not manifest. The dharmas that consciousness is mindful of are all the result of manas’s mindfulness, all outcomes arranged and directed by manas. Consciousness cannot arise without the contact condition of manas; it cannot arise without the determination of manas’s volition (cetanā). Consciousness cannot independently determine its own arising or any of its activities. It is not the governing consciousness, due to its lack of autonomy. It serves as an instrument for manas, following its commands.