The Knowing of Manas and Mano-vijñāna

Question: Since the manas is also a form of consciousness, it should perceive the external world. Why, then, when a person is unconscious, is there no awareness of the external environment at all?

Answer: The awareness of the manas must be conveyed to the conscious mind for it to be known. We regard the awareness of the conscious mind as awareness; what the conscious mind does not know is considered unknown. However, the conscious mind not knowing does not mean the manas is also unaware. Therefore, during dreamless sleep, unconsciousness, or when the conscious mind vanishes, the awareness of the manas cannot be transmitted to the conscious mind, and thus we remain unaware. Even if the conscious mind is present and functioning normally, without wisdom, it still cannot perceive the awareness of the manas. When the conscious mind lacks wisdom, it remains ignorant of the mental activities of the manas. Consequently, whether the manas possesses the self-cognizing part (svasaṃvitti) or engages in introspection, the conscious mind cannot discern it. Similarly, whether the manas is aware of the existence of the self, the conscious mind cannot observe it. Hence, when the conscious mind fails to observe these phenomena, one should refrain from making definitive judgments about the state or nature of the manas.