The Influence of Sense Objects on the Manas When the Six Consciousnesses Are Absent

The manas contacts the mental sense-objects, and only afterward does the mind consciousness arise to discern the mental sense-objects. It is the manas that first contacts and first knows the mental sense-objects, while the mind consciousness contacts and knows them afterward. It is only that what the manas knows is not as clear and detailed as what the mind consciousness knows, and after knowing, the manas has no way to act on it; it must rely on the mind consciousness and the five sense consciousnesses in order to act. Therefore, all sense-object realms are first known by the manas, without needing feedback from the six consciousnesses. However, the six consciousnesses discern the six sense-objects in considerable detail, and the mind consciousness possesses strong logical thinking and observational abilities, capable of offering the manas many suggestions. Through the feedback from the five sense consciousnesses and the mind consciousness, the manas can gain a full and detailed understanding of the sense-object realms, and then make the final decision. Therefore, although the manas cannot fully discern the realms of the six sense-objects, it can still be habituated, or come to understand them in a general way. For familiar sense-object realms, its discernment can be somewhat clearer. In this way, the manas is influenced imperceptibly, and seeds can be deposited.