We are honored to reprint and translate Master Su Chen's words here.
Today, we discuss the seventh consciousness of the "Eight Consciousnesses" in Buddhist philosophy - Manas Consciousness.
The Concept of Manas-Vijñāna
Manas-vijñāna, also known as the "seventh consciousness," is a significant psychological concept in Buddhist Yogācāra philosophy.
The core idea of Yogācāra is "consciousness-only," meaning that all external phenomena are mere manifestations of the mind.
The seventh consciousness, manas-vijñāna, is primarily responsible for the function of self-attachment or ego-grasping.
In simpler terms, manas-vijñāna is the root of our continuous self-awareness. It deeply influences our sense of self and self-recognition, constantly reinforcing and perceiving the existence of "I."
The fundamental characteristics of manas-vijñāna include four afflictions: "view of self," "pride of self," "love of self," and "ignorance of self." These four afflictions constitute our attachment to the self.
The Status of Manas-Vijñāna
In the eight consciousnesses system of Yogācāra, manas-vijñāna is the seventh. The eight consciousnesses include the first five (eye consciousness, ear consciousness, nose consciousness, tongue consciousness, body consciousness), the sixth consciousness (mind consciousness), the seventh consciousness (manas-vijñāna), and the eighth consciousness (ālaya-vijñāna).
The unique position of manas-vijñāna lies in its role as a bridge between mind consciousness and ālaya-vijñāna. It can influence daily mental activities and is deeply rooted in the subconscious. We will discuss alaya consciousness in the next article.
Manas-vijñāna often clings tightly to ālaya-vijñāna, drawing information from it and transforming it into self-perception. This perception includes not only the recognition of the current self but also past memories and future expectations. Therefore, manas-vijñāna not only affects our thoughts and behaviors but also profoundly shapes our personal identity and sense of existence.
The Significance of Manas-Vijñāna
The existence of manas-vijñāna reminds us that attachment to the self is the root of suffering.
Buddhist philosophy teaches that all suffering and afflictions arise from attachment to the "I."
Manas-vijñāna constantly reinforces this attachment, making it difficult for us to escape suffering.
By recognizing and understanding manas-vijñāna, we can begin to observe and reflect on our self-awareness, gradually weakening our attachment to the self and moving towards inner peace and liberation.
One of the goals of Buddhist practice is to discern the illusory nature of manas-vijñāna and thus free oneself from the bondage of ego-centrism.
This requires us to observe and analyze our mental processes through meditation and practice, gradually realizing that the "I" is actually an illusory concept that should not be clung to.
Practical Application in Daily Life
Let's take a simple example to illustrate how the philosophy of manas-vijñāna can be applied in daily life.
Suppose you encounter a difficult project at work, and you feel stressed and anxious, believing it is a challenge to your abilities, even beginning to doubt yourself. During this process, manas-vijñāna continually reinforces your self-image, making you feel that "I" must succeed, or else you will be seen as a failure.
At this moment, if you can become aware of this self-attachment mechanism and remind yourself that this is merely a manifestation of manas-vijñāna, you can start to change your mindset. You can tell yourself: "This is just a project; it doesn't define my entire value. Even if I fail, it won't affect my completeness as a person."
In this way, you can gradually reduce your attachment to personal success, thereby alleviating stress and anxiety. This is not exactly a retreat. You will find that this not only helps improve your work efficiency but also makes you more resilient and flexible in the face of challenges. Your attention quietly shifts from focusing on "me" to "the thing itself".
This is a practical application of the philosophy of manas-vijñāna in daily life. By recognizing and reflecting on manas-vijñāna, we can learn to face life's challenges with a more peaceful and rational mindset, ultimately moving towards inner freedom and liberation.
***End of Article***
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