The Defilements of Manas and the Defilements of Vijnana

Question: When I observe that a mental affliction is about to arise in my mind, my consciousness subsequently indeed feels agitated. The thoughts arising in consciousness are entirely negative and extremely pessimistic, meaning depression has manifested. Is this affliction generated by the mental faculty (manas)?

Answer: Based on your description, it is indeed the mental faculty (manas) that first experiences the affliction. It then prompts consciousness to arise at the site of that affliction, to perceive the affliction, feel the affliction, and subsequently manifest the affliction and emotions. This is the influence of the mental faculty (manas) upon consciousness.

After consciousness perceives a mental object (dharma), it may generate its own affliction, which then influences the mental faculty (manas), causing it to become afflicted as well. This is the influence of consciousness upon the mental faculty (manas). Consciousness arises when the mental faculty (manas) contacts a mental object (dharma). Following this contact, the intention to act gives rise to consciousness. Where do the afflictions of consciousness originate? One source is the mental faculty (manas), and the other arises from the mind's reaction to external phenomena (objects). How do the afflictions of consciousness originate from the mental faculty (manas)? After the mental faculty (manas) contacts a sensory object and gives rise to an affliction, desiring to vent or express it, it regulates consciousness, prompting consciousness to vent emotional afflictions and engage in afflicted actions. Consequently, consciousness manifests as affliction, such as hatred, craving, and so forth.

The second source of affliction in consciousness arises after consciousness contacts and discriminates a sensory object, potentially giving rise to affliction. When consciousness, afflicted, desires to act and transmits this thought to the mental faculty (manas), if the mental faculty (manas) is incited but has not yet developed the affliction itself, it may passively consent to consciousness engaging in afflicted actions and venting emotions. If the mental faculty (manas) is incited and influenced by consciousness and also develops the affliction, it will actively prompt consciousness to engage in afflicted actions and vent emotions. If the mental faculty (manas) is not incited by consciousness, it will not permit consciousness to engage in afflicted actions.

Therefore, when sentient beings experience afflictions, sometimes it is solely consciousness that is afflicted, sometimes solely the mental faculty (manas), and sometimes both the mental faculty (manas) and consciousness are afflicted together. Afflictions arising solely in consciousness can subside and disappear relatively quickly and are easier to transform. If the mental faculty (manas) gives rise to affliction on its own, it is difficult to pacify, not easily persuaded or transformed, and hard to subdue. If both the mental faculty (manas) and consciousness are afflicted together, afflicted actions are certain to occur. At this point, with no one controlling the emotions, the situation will spiral completely out of control.