Mental Attention of the Seventh Consciousness Manas at the Seed State

The mental factor of attention (manasikāra) associated with the seventh consciousness, the mind faculty, initially begins to direct attention toward the six dusts (objects of sense) while still in the seed position. After directing attention, it then gives rise to the operation of the mental factors of contact (sparśa), sensation (vedanā), perception (saṃjñā), and volition (cetanā) toward the six dusts. When the seventh consciousness determines to discern the six dusts, the six consciousnesses subsequently arise. The seeds of the seventh consciousness also require specific loci for their manifestation; they do not arise randomly upon encountering any phenomenon. If they did, the minds of sentient beings would become an utterly chaotic mess, and sentient beings would hardly have peaceful days. Similarly, the seeds of the six consciousnesses must also have specific loci for their birth. If attention is not directed in the seed position, the seeds of consciousness would arise randomly and uncontrollably, the six consciousnesses would be in disarray, and sentient beings would be at a loss. Therefore, the seeds of consciousness must first have designated loci for manifestation; attention is first directed in the seed position, and then the seeds arise. After arising, the six consciousnesses immediately contact the six dusts. The mental factor of contact operates after the consciousness has arisen. If the six consciousnesses cannot generate the final decisive mind, they again direct attention toward the six dusts. This attention at this stage is the attention occurring after the six consciousnesses have become manifest, not the attention in the seed position.