The relationship between the manas and the mind consciousness is like the relationship between a person and a microscope or magnifying glass.

The relationship between the manas and the mind consciousness is like the relationship between a person and a microscope or magnifying glass. Because human vision is limited and cannot discern extremely subtle material form, one makes use of precision instruments to assist one's observation. The person and the precision instrument observe in sync: to whatever degree the instrument observes, to that degree the person discerns; however much the instrument observes, that much the person discerns. At the same time, based on the instrument's discernment and by referring to the content the instrument reflects, the person thinks about and judges the object of observation, step by step directing the direction, angle, and location of the instrument's observation, and finally arrives at an overall conclusion and makes an overall decision.

The manas is like the person, and the mind consciousness is like the instrument that is utilized and directed by the person. For things too subtle, the manas can only rely on the mind consciousness to observe, analyze, deliberate, and judge; the manas then carries out its own reflection and judgment based on the mind consciousness, draws a conclusion, and makes a decision, and the six consciousnesses then act accordingly.

If a person could discern material form upon contact with it by themselves, there would be no need to frequently use precision instruments, since that is rather cumbersome. If the manas could discern the dharmas it contacts in a general way, without needing very subtle discernment, then it would not need the mind consciousness to assist in observation and discernment; in that case, the mind consciousness would not know what exactly the manas has discerned, what its mental activities are like, or how it has handled things. Only if the mind consciousness possessed the wisdom of wondrous observation could it know the mental activities of the manas.

From this it can be seen that every movement of the mind consciousness cannot escape the manas's control, unless the mind consciousness can deceive the manas, or persuade the manas so that the manas agrees to its actions and conduct. It is like a robot wanting to break free of human control—that is extremely difficult, unless an unexpected situation occurs, such as humans failing to design the program properly or the program becoming disordered. If one can clearly distinguish the internal relationship between the manas and the mind consciousness, and their respective functions and roles, one can well grasp one's own cultivation, grow one's wisdom, and advance one's progress on the Path.