True Severance of Self-View Lies in Severing Through Manas

After the six consciousnesses have ceased and no longer exist, there remains the "I" at this point, which is the manas (mental faculty). If the manas has not eradicated the view of self, then the view of self still persists, and one remains an ordinary person with self-view. At this stage, the view of self is identical to that during waking consciousness, with no difference. Because the manas harbors the view of self, it perceives that "I" lack perception, cognition, and awareness, cannot perceive the six dusts (objects of sense), and cannot function within the six dusts. Consequently, it gives rise to the intention to cognize the realms of the six dusts. The tathāgatagarbha (Buddha-nature) responds by producing the six consciousnesses, causing perception, cognition, and awareness to manifest. The five aggregates then come into existence, enabling the manas to grasp the realms of the six dusts, cling to perception, cognition, and awareness, and seize upon the activities of the five aggregates. Thus, it becomes bound within the three realms of existence, unable to attain liberation.

Therefore, to eradicate the view of self, the manas must simultaneously eradicate it. Only after the manas has eliminated the view of self can its various grasping tendencies diminish, the mind be liberated, and the wisdom of liberation arise. Even after death, the view of self remains the same as during life. Consequently, due to the view of self grasping the body of the five aggregates, the antarābhava (intermediate state body) and the five aggregates of future lives will continuously arise. Upon rebirth, the view of self remains identical to that of the previous life, resulting once again in an ordinary person's existence, with the manas continuing its grasping and attachment as before. Thus, sentient beings experience the cycle of repeated births and deaths due to the view of self within the manas, leading to unceasing karmic consequences and unending birth and death.

If the view of self were to vanish as soon as the six consciousnesses ceased, how wonderful that would be! Unfortunately, it does not. Therefore, merely having the mental consciousness eradicate the view of self is of little use; it fails to resolve the fundamental problem. One must find a way for the manas to eradicate the view of self.