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 (rūpa), one makes use of precision instruments to assist one's observation. The person and the precision instrument observe in sync: whatever degree the instrument observes, the person discerns to that degree; whatever amount the instrument observes, the person discerns that amount. At the same time, based on the instrument's discernment and referring to the content the instrument reflects, the person thinks about and judges the object of observation, step by step directing the instrument's direction, angle, and location of 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. Things that are too fine and subtle can only be observed, analyzed, deliberated upon, and judged by the manas through the mind consciousness; the manas then carries out its own reflection and judgment based on the mind consciousness, draws a conclusion, makes a decision, and the six consciousnesses then act accordingly.

If the material form one comes into contact with can be discerned by oneself, then there is no need to frequently use precision instruments, because that is rather troublesome. If the manas can discern the dharmas it contacts in a general way, without needing very subtle discernment, then it need not have the mind consciousness cooperate in observation and discernment; in that case, the mind consciousness would not know what exactly the manas has discerned, what its mental activities are, or how it has handled them. Only if the mind consciousness possesses the wisdom of wondrous observation (pratyavekṣaṇā-jñāna) can it know the mental activities of the manas.

From this we can know that every move of the mind consciousness cannot escape the manas's control, unless the mind consciousness can deceive the manas, or can persuade the manas so that the manas agrees to its actions and activities. It is like a robot wanting to break free of human control—that is extremely difficult, unless an unexpected situation occurs, such as humans not having designed the program well, 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 then well grasp one's own cultivation, grow one's wisdom, and promote the advancement of one's practice of the Path.