The Direct Perception of the Six Consciousnesses (5)

When experiencing tactile objects on the physical body, the body consciousness (kāya-vijñāna) first directly perceives the coarse aspect of the tactile object in the initial instant. In the second instant, mental consciousness (mano-vijñāna) directly perceives the subtle aspect of the tactile object. Subsequently, both engage in direct perceptual cognition simultaneously. However, when the contacted tactile object is extremely unique, the body consciousness and mental consciousness each perceive it for one, two, or three instants before immediately withdrawing, unable to maintain contact with the tactile object any longer. For example, when the body touches fire, the body consciousness immediately senses heat but without conceptualization. Simultaneously, the mental consciousness immediately perceives the degree of heat. Before it can engage in analysis, comparison, or deliberation, the manas (root consciousness) instantly decides to withdraw from the fire source. This is the manas performing direct perceptual cognition based on the cognition of the body faculty, body consciousness, and mental consciousness, leading directly to the decision: withdraw. Here, all three consciousnesses—body consciousness, mental consciousness, and manas—engage solely in direct perceptual cognition (pratyakṣa-pramāṇa), without any inferential cognition (anumāna-pramāṇa) or incorrect cognition (apramāṇa). This is because the mental consciousness lacks the time to engage in inference or incorrect cognition before the manas decides to withdraw immediately. Consequently, the body consciousness and mental consciousness immediately cease their perception regarding the tactile object of fire.

Another example: when a finger accidentally touches the tip of a needle, both the body consciousness and mental consciousness perceive pain in the very first instant. The mental consciousness lacks time to think, analyze, or decide; instead, the manas directly takes charge and decides to pull the hand away, causing the hand to suddenly tremble. Here, all three consciousnesses engage solely in direct perceptual cognition, with no inferential or incorrect cognition by the mental consciousness, as there was insufficient time. Only after the finger withdraws from the needle tip does the mental consciousness continue to perceive the sudden incident, realizing what actually happened: the finger accidentally touched the needle tip. It is at this point that inferential cognition and incorrect cognition by the mental consciousness occur. Inferential cognition may potentially be correct cognition, leading to a correct conclusion; whereas incorrect cognition is erroneous perception, completely inconsistent with reality.