The Perpetual Discerning Contemplation of the Objective Aspect, Subjective Aspect, and Manas

Question: Is the perceived aspect the result of the perceiving aspect? The perceived aspect of eye consciousness is the visible forms, etc. Then, what is the perceived aspect of the manas (the seventh consciousness)? What is the mental aspect of activity for the manas's perpetual discerning deliberation? How is the mental aspect of activity of the manas linked to the result of perpetual discerning deliberation? What is the relationship between the aspect of activity and the perceived aspect?

Answer: The perceived aspect is the object seen by the perceiving aspect; it is not the result of the perceiving aspect. When the perceiving aspect does not arise, the perceived aspect still exists; it is merely not manifested within the conscious mind.

The result of the perceiving aspect is the self-witnessing portion. Having already perceived the perceived aspect, it is called the self-witnessing portion.

The perceived aspect of the manas is very extensive. The manas can perceive whatever aspect the eighth consciousness can perceive, except for the unripened seeds and the seeds of the seven elements within the eighth consciousness. The manas is called the universally discerning consciousness (vijñāna parikalpita), because it can perceive all dharmas, thus it can universally conceptualize and grasp, silently accommodating everything. Because it can perceive all dharmas, it silently accommodates all dharmas. This includes the perceived aspects of the six sense objects that the six consciousnesses can perceive, the perceived aspects of the six sense objects that the six consciousnesses cannot perceive, and perceived aspects not belonging to the six sense objects, including those of the past and future. As long as the eighth consciousness can perceive and manifest them, the manas can perceive them.

When the manas engages in perpetual discerning deliberation, the most prominent feature is the continuous arising and functioning of the mental factor of deliberation (cetanā). Regarding the dharmas being deliberated upon, it continuously involves directing attention (manaskāra), contacting (sparśa), receiving (vedanā), and perceiving (saṃjñā). The mental factor of mindfulness (smṛti) also continuously operates. There is the guiding function of the mental factor of desire (chanda). Perhaps the mental factors of concentration (samādhi) and wisdom (prajñā) arise, and wholesome or unwholesome mental factors might also manifest. The mental aspect of activity of the manas is precisely the aspect of activity of the functioning mental factors.

These mental factors of the manas function together in harmony; only then can it continuously engage in perpetual discerning deliberation and deliberate to produce a result.

The aspect of activity of the functioning consciousness can be observed and known by the mental consciousness (mano-vijñāna); therefore, it is the perceived aspect of the mental consciousness. The functioning aspect of activity is the perceived aspect. Whatever can be observed by the conscious mind is the perceived aspect. The eight consciousnesses themselves can also be observed by the mental consciousness; therefore, the eight consciousnesses are also the perceived aspect of the mental consciousness.

If all eight consciousnesses can introspectively observe themselves and their own mental factors, then the eight consciousnesses and their mental factors are also their own perceived aspect.