Is Leaving the Discriminating Mind Equivalent to Being a Dead Person?

First, let us say that being free from the discriminating mind does not mean being a dead person, because this discriminating mind refers to the mind consciousness. There are many situations in which one is free from the mind consciousness; the most ordinary and common situation is that when we are asleep, the discriminating mind is absent, yet the person does not die. Although being free from the discriminating mind of the mind consciousness does not cause death, many things can no longer be done, and daily life cannot proceed—things get delayed. In such a situation, one is not much better off than a dead person; the obstruction is quite severe.

When many things are done frequently and become very familiar, they can be completed quickly and directly without the mind consciousness analyzing and deliberating—for example, lifting a leg to walk without thinking about which foot to step forward with first, or opening one's mouth to eat when food reaches the lips. But without the mind consciousness, even these extremely familiar tasks cannot be done. Therefore, the functions and roles of the mind consciousness are extremely important for those without supernatural powers. In many cases, the mind consciousness appears not to discriminate, yet its capacity for discernment is constantly in operation, so that sentient beings can have various bodily, verbal, and mental actions and can survive.