The Eleven Wholesome Mental Factors (Part 1)

The eleven wholesome mental factors sometimes accompany the mind consciousness in its operation, and sometimes do not accompany it. Only after the mind consciousness has eradicated afflictions can they accompany the mind consciousness more frequently; only after the mind consciousness has completely eradicated the habitual tendencies of afflictions can they accompany the mind consciousness at all times, so that the mind consciousness is wholesome at every moment. But the eighth consciousness has always been wholesome, never unwholesome, never afflicted.

In evil people, the wholesome mental factors of the seven consciousnesses appear only occasionally; in good people, the wholesome mental factors of the seven consciousnesses sometimes appear and sometimes do not. After the sixth and seventh consciousnesses undergo the transformation of consciousness into wisdom, the wholesome mental factors accompany the mind consciousness very frequently, though occasionally they still do not appear. Only in a Buddha do the wholesome mental factors of the seven wisdom consciousnesses appear constantly and at all times, forever accompanying the wisdom mind without disappearing.

The mental factor of faith refers to believing, being convinced, and self-confidence—believing in the existence of wholesome dharmas, their merits and functions, the power of wholesome dharmas, the principles of wholesome dharmas, the changes of wholesome dharmas, the results of wholesome dharmas, and so on. But true faith refers to right faith, faith grounded in principle, deep faith, pure faith, and wholesome faith—without wrong faith, evil faith, impure faith, or an impure mind—one who can accept and assent to the true principle, deeply believes in the merits of the Three Jewels, and is confident that one can certainly attain buddhahood. The mental factor of faith does not appear and manifest at all times; it appears only under special circumstances, when it is needed and necessary. One needs deep wholesome roots and merit, having studied Buddhism across kalpas, before faith can reach accomplishment. After faith arises, one will accept it, be convinced by it, comply with it, and act accordingly. The first seven consciousnesses all correspond to the mental factor of faith; regardless of what stage of cultivation one is at, the higher the stage of cultivation, the more complete the faith.

The mental factors of shame (hrī) and remorse (apatrāpya): shame means failing oneself, while remorse means failing others, and thereby feeling uneasy, self-reproachful, ashamed, guilty, bashful, remorseful, regretful, and so on. Having shame and remorse in the mind shows that the self has been subdued, that one knows how to reflect upon oneself, that one accords with selflessness—one is not an arrogant egotist who exalts the self. The sixth and seventh consciousnesses correspond to these two mental factors of shame and remorse; regardless of what stage of cultivation one is at, the higher the stage of cultivation, the stronger the sense of shame and remorse.