The Blind Belief of Sentient Beings in Their Own Manifestations

All contemplative practices corresponding to the first fruit (Sotāpanna) regarding the eradication of self-view can be comprehended by those who have not attained the fruit. Many thus believe they have achieved such contemplation and have eradicated self-view. Consequently, some assume that understanding selflessness equates to eradicating self-view and confirm their own fruition attainment. This constitutes excessive self-conceit, leading to the grave offense of major false speech. Everyone is highly self-confident, resulting in blind faith, which is entirely the work of the inner "I"—a manifestation of heavy self-attachment. Understanding selflessness is merely an intellectual comprehension by the conscious mind; it does not even constitute conceptual understanding, let alone the realization by the manas (mind root), from which it remains vastly distant. Sentient beings are foolish like this—difficult to guide. They refuse to heed truthful words yet delight in being exalted. Some become immensely pleased if told they are eighth-fruit (Arhat) practitioners, yet stubbornly reject the truth regardless. Others, whose greed, hatred, and delusion are all severe—exceeding that of ordinary people—nevertheless claim to have attained the second fruit. Sentient beings universally favor self-exaltation; there is simply no remedy.

Other Dharma practices also require realization by the manas; mere intellectual comprehension by the conscious mind is insufficient. The achievement in various contemplative practices constitutes realization, all involving the participation of the manas—it is the realization of the manas. Truly understanding deeply within the heart, with profound resonance, constitutes realization to a certain degree. Truly discerning the reality of phenomena, thereby prompting changes in physical and mental states, represents realization by the manas to some extent. Since it is termed "realization to a certain degree," it is not necessarily complete or ultimate realization. Thus, realization also varies in degree and level. Extinguishing the manas would prevent Buddhahood; only by dispelling the ignorance of the manas can consciousness be transformed into wisdom. The manas must never be extinguished, for it is essential to the existence of the five aggregates, and retaining the five aggregates is necessary for attaining Buddhahood.