Which Is the Subject of Karmic Retribution: Manas or Vijnana?

Some say that since the manas (mental faculty) does not perceive suffering or pleasure, it is not the recipient of karmic retribution, and thus the manas does not undergo retribution. In reality, the manas is the true recipient of retribution, while the six consciousnesses are merely the instruments and agents through which the manas experiences retribution. This is because even when the six consciousnesses are absent, sentient beings still exist within karmic retribution. Regardless of whether the six consciousnesses are present or not, as long as sentient beings exist, their very existence is a form of karmic retribution. Moreover, the physical body is itself a karmic retribution body. It is because the manas clings to the physical body as "self" that the manas possesses this karmic retribution body. Retribution manifests upon the manas, causing the manas to undergo retribution.

Firstly, the process of entering the womb, dwelling in the womb, and emerging from the womb is the karmic retribution of the manas. Rebirth and entering the womb are affairs of the manas. The nature of the physical body and the living environment are matters of utmost concern to the manas; thus, karmic retribution pertains precisely to what the manas cares about most deeply. Dwelling in the womb, emerging from the womb, and the conditions of the living environment throughout one's lifetime are also matters of utmost concern to the manas. Whether one experiences a lifetime of enjoyment or suffering is what the manas cares about most profoundly; therefore, the manas is the recipient of retribution. Secondly, death and the destination after death are matters of even greater concern to the manas. At the moment of death, the manas struggles, unwilling to die. Even when afflicted by unbearable pain, it refuses to decide to leave the physical body, refuses to exhale the final breath and abandon the body, and is unwilling to part from family and loved ones. Even if one becomes comatose, the manas is unwilling to depart and take on another physical body; it still clings to the faint activities of the five aggregates and continues to endure the suffering of karmic retribution.

The manas takes the suffering of the five-aggregate body as its own suffering, takes the suffering of the six consciousnesses as its own suffering, takes the pleasure of the five-aggregate body and the six consciousnesses as its own pleasure, and takes the sensations (vedanā) of the five-aggregate body and the six consciousnesses as its own sensations. However, even when the six consciousnesses are absent, the manas still must endure all sensations of suffering and pleasure, and all karmic retribution. For example, the pleasurable sensation experienced in the samādhi of non-perception (asaṃjñā-samāpatti) and in the realm of non-perception (asaṃjñā-deva) is experienced solely by the manas; without consciousness, the consciousnesses do not experience it. The suffering sensation experienced during entering the womb and dwelling in the womb is endured solely by the manas; there is no consciousness to experience it. The suffering sensation at the time of death and during unconsciousness is endured solely by the manas; without consciousness, the consciousnesses do not experience it. During sleep, whether it is restful or restless, comfortable or uncomfortable, it is experienced solely by the manas. Even if any accident occurs during sleep, such as being burned to death, etc., it is endured solely by the manas; without consciousness, the consciousnesses do not experience it.

Even when consciousness is present, any sensation experienced by consciousness is intimately connected to the manas. Everything endured by consciousness is equivalent to being endured by the manas itself; the manas deeply cares about the sensations perceived by consciousness. This is because consciousness is one of the "selves" of the manas; it belongs to the manas, serving as its assistant and instrument. Retribution upon consciousness is equivalent to retribution upon the manas. The manas absolutely does not wish for consciousness to suffer retribution, not even the slightest suffering. For example, parents are the heads of a household; all suffering and pleasure experienced by their children are also suffered and enjoyed by the parents. When others come to reward or retaliate against the parents, they may do so indirectly by rewarding or retaliating against the children. Retribution upon the children is equivalent to retribution upon the parents; the children's honor, disgrace, life, and death are intimately bound to the parents.

The manas is the root from which consciousness arises. Consciousness is born dependent on the manas as a condition. The manas is like the parent of consciousness; retribution upon consciousness is equivalent to retribution upon the manas. Therefore, when the five aggregates suffer, the manas seeks to avoid it; when the five aggregates experience pleasure, the manas clings to it with attachment and is unwilling to let go. In summary, the manas is the recipient of retribution, the true master of karmic retribution.