Liberation of Mind Takes the Manas as the Principal

Liberation of mind (cetovimutti) is primarily centered on the manas. If the manas is not liberated, none of the six consciousnesses can be liberated. Afflictions mainly refer to the afflictions of the manas; it is the manas that is bound, so the six consciousnesses inevitably become bound as well. When the manas eliminates self-view (ātma-dṛṣṭi), there is one part of liberation; at the once-returner (Sakṛdāgāmin) stage, there are two parts of liberation; at the non-returner (Anāgāmin) stage, three parts of liberation; at the arhat stage, complete liberation; and at the Buddha stage, ultimate and thorough liberation.

The mind consciousness arises and ceases moment by moment and cannot be the master. Liberation of the mind consciousness alone is useless, for it remains constrained by the manas, its master.