The Relationship Between Consciousness and Manas

Question: Is the thought of consciousness the content that the mental faculty focuses on? If so, then by tracing back the thoughts of consciousness, one can deduce the objects that the mental faculty is currently conditioned by. By controlling the present thoughts of consciousness, one indirectly controls the objects of the mental faculty. Through this gradual habituation, the mental faculty will develop concentration.

Answer: The objects of consciousness and the mental faculty should be the same. What consciousness discriminates must be the objects that the mental faculty clings to; otherwise, consciousness would not arise. Consciousness arises to serve the mental faculty and must obey it. However, once consciousness arises and discriminates objects, it develops its own views through thinking and analysis, which may contradict the mental faculty and fail to align with its inclinations. If consciousness possesses correct knowledge and views, it can gradually transform the mental faculty, depending on the extent to which the mental faculty can accept it. If consciousness acts too radically, it may provoke the mental faculty, preventing it from following the path. Therefore, if consciousness is intelligent and sharp, it will skillfully guide the mental faculty. If consciousness is dull, it will be ineffective, potentially backfiring or being led astray by the mental faculty. The consciousness of a Buddhist practitioner should adopt this attitude toward the mental faculty: "When you lead me astray, I will not follow. When you lead me toward greed, hatred, and delusion, I will not follow." Gradually, the mental faculty, finding no alternative, ceases to lead and instead ends up being guided by consciousness.