How to Attain Liberation

The Six Dusts are phenomena of dependent origination, arising, existing, and undergoing change through reliance on numerous conditions. Therefore, the Six Dusts are unreliable and not to be depended upon. We should gradually free ourselves from dependence on the Six Dusts, reduce our craving and attachment to them. When cultivation reaches a certain point, with complete non-reliance on the Six Dusts, the mind becomes empty, and this is the great liberation.

Upon what dharma do we depend in order to have dependence on the Six Dusts? Grasping the Six Dusts requires the Six Consciousnesses. After the Six Consciousnesses discriminate the Six Dusts, dependence on the Six Dusts arises. What dharma requires the Six Consciousnesses to grasp the Six Dusts? It is Manas that grasps the Six Dusts, then gives birth to the Six Consciousnesses, using the Six Consciousnesses to grasp the Six Dusts. Manas then grasps the Six Dusts again and grasps the functional roles of the Six Consciousnesses. Thus, the cycle of birth and death revolves continuously without interruption. The mind that grasps is Manas; it uses the Six Consciousnesses as tools to grasp, but what actually grasps is still Manas. The Six Consciousnesses are also phenomena of dependent origination, arising, existing, and undergoing change through reliance on numerous conditions. They are unreliable dharmas, dharmas not to be depended upon. Therefore, we should gradually distance ourselves from the Six Consciousnesses and reduce our dependence on them. When cultivation reaches a certain point, when there is complete non-reliance on the Six Consciousnesses, the mind becomes empty, and we attain great liberation.

To whom are all these truths spoken? They are spoken to ourselves. Who is "we"? Who is "ourselves"? Both refer to Manas. The Six Consciousnesses are conveyors, responsible for transmitting this information to Manas for knowing. Where to go and what to do is decided by Manas, the master who makes the choices. If this information only remains with the Six Consciousnesses and is not transmitted to the master, Manas, then this information is useless. It cannot influence or change the master's mind and choices. Everything will remain as it was, and the cycle of birth and death will continue unceasingly.

How can these truths and information be transmitted to Manas? Through cultivating concentration (dhyāna), contemplating and observing within meditative absorption. The deeper the concentration, the better the transmission effect. Manas becomes more able to absorb and digest this information, more able to change its mind. Then, all ignorance and grasping will completely disappear, liberation from all dharmas will be attained, and there will be no more suffering of birth and death.