The Meaning of "Constant" in the Constant Deliberation of Manas

Since the mental faculty (manas) is also a phenomenon subject to arising and cessation, how should we understand the "perpetual" aspect within its "perpetual discerning deliberation"? The term "perpetual" carries two meanings. One signifies that which neither arises nor ceases, eternally existing without destruction. The other signifies an extremely long duration, remaining unchanged for a considerable length of time, persisting continuously in that state. The first meaning applies to the perpetuity of the eighth consciousness (ālaya-vijñāna), which is absolute, incomparable, and neither arises nor ceases. The second meaning applies to the perpetuity of the mental faculty. The perpetuity of the mental faculty is relative, referring to the unchanging persistence of its discerning function as long as the mental faculty itself remains unextinguished.

The perpetuity of the mental faculty can endure even after Buddhahood, so as long as the mental faculty exists, its discerning nature exists. However, not extinguishing the mental faculty does not mean it cannot be extinguished. Arhats and Pratyekabuddhas can completely extinguish the mental faculty upon entering the Nirvāṇa Without Remainder. Bodhisattvas above the seventh stage (bhūmi) and all Buddhas can extinguish the mental faculty but deliberately choose not to. The mental faculty arises from the seeds of consciousness (bīja) delivered by the eighth consciousness; it depends on the eighth consciousness for its birth and operation. It is not an inherently unborn and unceasing dharma. Once the mental faculty no longer clings to worldly phenomena of the three realms, the eighth consciousness ceases to deliver the seeds of consciousness for the mental faculty, and the mental faculty is extinguished. Therefore, the "perpetual" in the "perpetual discerning deliberation" of the mental faculty is only relative to the six consciousnesses (vijñānas) and cannot be compared to the perpetuity of the eighth consciousness.