The More Profound the Method, the More Arduous the Practice.

Observing the Five Aggregates to Sever the View of Self, the mental faculty (manas) is one of the six sense faculties; its selfless nature must also be observed to realize the fruit of severing the view of self. In the Surangama Sutra, the Buddha taught us the method for observing the mental faculty, which is exceedingly profound and thorough, yet very difficult. The more profound the method, the harder it is to practice; the simpler the method, the more convenient it is, yet the less profound. Therefore, those who are capable should not crave cheapness, speed, or ease, nor fear paying worldly costs. The reward is the most important and valuable thing. No matter how good worldly phenomena may be, they are still suffering. To relinquish suffering and exchange it for an imperishable treasure — why would one not be willing? Now, a very serious issue arises: since the mental faculty is one of the Five Aggregates and the Eighteen Elements, during observation, its false and selfless nature must also be completely observed. Most people fail to observe the mental faculty, or rather, the vast majority, or almost everyone, fails to observe it. How, then, can they sever the view of self? How did all those who claim to have severed the view of self and realized the fruit manage to eliminate the view of self regarding the mental faculty?