The Operational Process of the Five Universally Pervasive Mental Factors Is Like Tracing a Painting

When copying a painting, the eyes repeatedly observe and discern the subject matter while the consciousness continuously memorizes during observation. During the act of copying, one paints while constantly recalling, then repeats this process over and over again until the work is completed and the copying ends. One looks at the subject, paints a little, ponders for a while, paints a little more, ponders again, repeating this cycle until the painting is finished. Once done, the painting is set aside without further pondering, painting, or mental engagement, and one moves on to the next activity.

The operation of the five universal mental factors (five caittas) is analogous to copying a painting. The process of painting resembles the functioning principle of consciousness. When consciousness operates upon a specific dharma (object or phenomenon), it must complete its operation before setting that dharma aside. If the operation is incomplete, mental engagement persists, involving repeated contact (sparśa), reception (vedanā), apprehension (saṃjñā), discernment (vijñāna), cognition (jñāna), sensation, and volition (cetanā), with continuous analysis, discrimination, and repeated execution—a highly complex process. The sequence in which the mental factors operate is not fixed, such as sensation (vedanā) preceding perception (saṃjñā); it varies depending on the cognitive wisdom and level of the consciousness. Only after the operation is complete does a deeper sensation arise; after sensation comes further discernment, and after discernment comes further sensation, continuing until the mental faculty (manas, the seventh consciousness) feels that the matter is fully discerned, at which point mental engagement ceases. If, at any time afterward, the mental faculty feels the need to understand something more, it will again engage with the dharma through contact, sensation, perception, and volition. Once it understands clearly and comprehends fully, the operation of the mental factors upon this dharma ceases, and the dharma vanishes from consciousness once more.

Sometimes, after deliberation, a decision is made; other times, deliberation concludes without a decision. This is because the mental faculty feels the discernment was not sufficiently clear or thorough. As long as the mental faculty does not make a final resolution, the operation of the five universal mental factors does not cease. Only when the mental faculty is satisfied and the objective is achieved does it cease deliberation and immediately decide how to proceed.