Does One Who Has Severed Self-Grasping Still Have Thoughts?

After severing self-attachment, there still remain thoughts concerning immediate survival. It is impossible to interact with others without thoughts arising; when encountering various circumstances, thoughts about how to handle them emerge; when expounding the Dharma for sentient beings in accordance with conditions, thoughts also arise. These thoughts are relatively pure, subtle, and conditioned by circumstances, lacking any deliberate intention to fabricate or strong self-referential notions. Even the Buddha, when manifesting in the world, had thoughts—all of which were pure, selfless, and free from attachment. This is because the mental factor of mindfulness (smṛti) is present within several consciousnesses, and the functioning of consciousness inevitably gives rise to thoughts.

However, the thoughts of one who has severed self-attachment differ greatly from those who have not. Thoughts reveal whether a person is attached: the attached have intense thoughts, while the unattached have subtle thoughts, their mental state being relaxed and responsive to conditions.

One who has severed self-attachment harbors no aspirations for future lives, makes no plans or preparations for future existences. Naturally, in this present life, they live in accordance with conditions, responding to all that surrounds them without pursuits—taking each day as it comes, not contending with others. Regarding the work of liberating sentient beings, they likewise act in accordance with conditions: when conditions allow, they may speak a little Dharma; when conditions are absent, they do not dwell on it. In short, most thoughts arise passively, with very few arising actively.

Under this mindset of responsive adaptation, the thoughts of the conscious mind (mano-vijñāna) are apparent, while those of the mental faculty (manas) are faint and sparse. Due to the faintness and scarcity of thoughts arising from manas, the thoughts of consciousness also become few and subtle, mostly passive. Since manas lacks significant mental preoccupations or conceptions, there are no dreams. In daily life, the mind rests in tranquility, the energy is calm, and the mental state is peaceful.