What Is the Equal Cultivation of Samādhi and Prajñā?

Is there actually deliberation within contemplation? If there is no deliberation within contemplation, then nothing can be contemplated out. During contemplation, the mind consciousness has deliberation, and the manas has even more deliberation—the manas is certainly deliberating, and it deliberates with greater focus, without the interference of the mind consciousness. Only at this time is it possible for wisdom to arise and for new discoveries to be made. The deliberation of the surface mind consciousness is a prelude, meant to draw out the subsequent deliberation of the manas; only the manas's deliberation has decisive significance, for only it can resolve major problems and realize anything.

Therefore, when in a state of not giving rise to a single thought, although the mind consciousness no longer has thoughts, the manas is at its most diligent, with mental activity turning and operating, applying itself earnestly. Perhaps in the space of a momentary daze, an idea emerges, a strategy emerges—this is brought about by the manas. This is deep deliberation, true deep deliberation; the deep deliberation of the mind consciousness can induce the deep deliberation of the manas. If there is no meditative concentration (samādhi), or the power of concentration is insufficient, the manas cannot be brought into deep deliberation, and even deep deliberation by the mind consciousness is difficult—how then could wisdom arise? The deep deliberation of the manas is called the equal cultivation of Samādhi and Prajñā, and it can give rise to all kinds of meditative absorptions (samādhi).