The Knowing of the Five Consciousnesses and the Knowing of the Sixth and Seventh Consciousnesses

The awareness of visual consciousness perceives without conceptual signs, while the awareness of mental consciousness involves conceptual signs. For example, when visual consciousness perceives sunlight and senses its piercing brightness, there is no conceptual sign of "sunlight," no verbal designation, no conceptual sign of "piercing brightness," and no verbal designation for "piercing brightness." Only when mental consciousness and visual consciousness jointly discern sunlight does one recognize it as sunlight and perceive its piercing brightness. However, the act of closing one's eyes to avoid sunlight is a decision made by the mind faculty (manas). Visual consciousness and mental consciousness merely execute this decision involuntarily and rapidly. Why can the mind faculty make such swift decisions? Because the momentary discernment of sunlight by visual and mental consciousness is instantly transmitted to the mind faculty, which immediately comprehends it—and comprehends it correctly—enabling it to make accurate and reasonable decisions to pursue benefit and avoid harm. If the objects discerned by visual and mental consciousness are forms (dharmas) unfamiliar to the mind faculty, the decision-making will not be as swift, for the mind faculty may not rationally comprehend the transmitted forms. It must then deliberate and examine until understanding is achieved before making a choice. There are also instances where the mind faculty fails to comprehend through deliberation, thus preventing it from accurately understanding the transmitted forms. If compelled to decide under such circumstances, it may make erroneous choices. Therefore, the speed, accuracy, and reasonableness of the mind faculty's decisions depend on its experience and wisdom.