Recollection and Memory

Memory is a function unique to the mind consciousness, facilitated by the manas' attention (manaskāra). Why can the manas attend and decide to let the mind consciousness recall? Because the manas can remember the people, events, and things it has experienced, and afterwards wishes to discern the details; thus, when faculty and sense-object come into contact, the mind consciousness arises and recalls the people, events, things, and principles previously experienced. If the manas does not attend to or decide to discern the experienced people, events, things, and principles, there is no arising of the mind consciousness and no recollection. Therefore, memory is not only a function of the mind consciousness but also a function of the manas; if the manas has not remembered, there can be no contact, and thus no recollection. The manas only makes simple, rough, and generalized memories, while the mind consciousness remembers in a more detailed, clear, and specific manner.