When Can the Parikalpita-svabhāva of the Manas Be Eliminated?

It is precisely because of the parikalpita-svabhava (imagined nature) of the manas (the seventh consciousness) that sentient beings experience the various sufferings of the birth-and-death cycle. Eliminating the parikalpita-svabhava of the manas leads to nirvana. However, this parikalpita-svabhava is not easily eliminated. It requires severing the view of self (satkāya-dṛṣṭi), severing the clinging to self (ātma-grāha), and realizing suchness (tathatā). Only when the clinging to dharmas as real (dharma-atma-graha) is also completely extinguished can the parikalpita-svabhava of the manas be utterly and thoroughly eliminated, resulting in great liberation (mokṣa).