The Mental Factors of the Manas (III)

 The three unconditioned learnings of precepts, meditation, and wisdom (śīla-samādhi-prajñā) are not only something the mind consciousness should cultivate, learn, and fully possess; the main point is that the manas must also fully possess them by following the mind consciousness in cultivation and learning. In cultivating and learning the three unconditioned learnings of precepts, meditation, and wisdom, if the manas does not keep the precepts, and the mind is scattered, unrestrained, and lax, wanting to create unwholesome karma, then since the manas is the master, it will certainly make the bodily, verbal, and mental actions of the six consciousnesses create unwholesome karma. Therefore, in keeping the precepts, restraining the manas is primary. If the manas is not restrained, and only the six consciousnesses are restrained, then ultimately the keeping of precepts cannot be accomplished. The six consciousnesses cannot be their own masters; if the manas wants to violate the precepts, the six consciousnesses can do nothing about it and can only obey. If the manas keeps the precepts, the six consciousnesses will inevitably keep the precepts. There is keeping the precepts on the surface, and there is truly keeping the precepts in the mind without violation. Truly keeping the precepts means the manas keeps the precepts without violation and the mind observes the precepts; keeping the precepts on the surface may be merely pretending to keep the precepts while the mind is violating them.

Only when the manas has meditative concentration (samādhi) and is not scattered can it refrain from chasing after objects everywhere, and only then can the six consciousnesses have concentration. If the manas is scattered, it is impossible for the mind consciousness to become concentrated. Only when the manas' mind is concentrated on the Buddhadharma can the mind consciousness cultivate single-mindedly and intensively, remaining unmoved in concentration on the Buddhadharma; if the manas wavers and is unstable, the mind consciousness can do nothing. Concentration arises from precepts, and wisdom arises from concentration. When concentration is strong, both the mind consciousness and the manas can give rise to great wisdom, and finally transform the consciousnesses into wisdom. Without concentration, great wisdom cannot arise, and the consciousnesses cannot be transformed into wisdom.