Whether the Mental Faculty Possesses Resolute Determination

The manas possesses resolute understanding. If manas lacked resolute understanding, when major incidents suddenly occur, manas would not be able to accurately discern them and take effective emergency measures. For instance, when a car is about to collide with oneself, after manas resolves with resolute understanding, it immediately mobilizes the physical body to evade the danger. Therefore, it enables the physical body to urgently avoid peril when the car approaches. If manas lacks resolute understanding, all the objects of the six dust realms discerned by the six consciousnesses are transmitted to manas, yet manas cannot precisely comprehend them. Consequently, it cannot make appropriate decisions nor properly direct the six consciousnesses in their subsequent actions. If manas lacks resolute understanding, no matter how diligently the mental consciousness studies and influences manas, it will be futile. Manas cannot comprehend nor store the seeds (impressions). Thus, the efforts of the mental consciousness would be wasted. However, after the mental consciousness continuously influences manas, manas will also recognize, change, and make correct decisions. This is the resolute understanding of manas.

If manas lacks resolute understanding, the teaching of the Four Noble Truths and non-self learned by the mental consciousness cannot influence manas. Consequently, manas will never sever the view of self and self-attachment. If manas lacks resolute understanding, the principle of prajñā (wisdom) learned by the mental consciousness cannot influence manas. Manas will never realize prajñā, attain prajñā wisdom, transform consciousness into wisdom, nor cultivate to the stage of Buddhahood, enabling all eight consciousnesses to ultimately transform into wisdom. Does manas possess resolute understanding? Manas certainly possesses resolute understanding.