Manas Is the Concomitant Basis of Consciousness

Simultaneous reliance, "simultaneous" means two or more dharmas existing together; "simultaneous" implies being together from birth, present together at the moment of arising; "reliance" means dependence—where this exists, that exists; this dharma relies on that dharma to arise and exist.

Some say the five sense faculties are the simultaneous reliance of consciousness, meaning the five sense faculties are necessary conditions for consciousness to arise. Without the five sense faculties, there is no consciousness; where consciousness exists, the five sense faculties must be present. But is this the case? Considering the forms of sentient beings, many beings lack the five sense faculties yet still possess consciousness. For example, formless realm devas, or bodhisattvas and great arhats manifesting without physical bodies, etc.—all have consciousness but lack the five sense faculties. The isolated consciousness of all sentient beings does not rely on the five sense faculties to arise or exist. In profound meditative concentration, consciousness can operate outside the body, still perceiving sense objects without requiring the five sense faculties. Therefore, the five sense faculties are not the simultaneous reliance of consciousness. The simultaneous reliance of consciousness is the eighth consciousness, the mental faculty, and the seeds.

The conditions required for consciousness to arise are very few, so it arises easily and ceases easily. The five consciousnesses cease entirely and do not exist in concentrations above the second dhyāna, while consciousness only ceases in the thoughtless concentration and the concentration of cessation. Thus, it is said that the simultaneous reliance of consciousness is not the five sense faculties, nor the five consciousnesses, but the mental faculty. The mental faculty is the root from which consciousness can arise; consciousness relies on the mental faculty to arise and function. Only after the mental faculty engages in attention and decision-making can consciousness arise; otherwise, it cannot. Therefore, consciousness always accompanies the mental faculty, serving it, regulating and influencing it. However, the mental faculty does not necessarily accompany consciousness; it is not necessarily simultaneous with consciousness. There are many instances when the mental faculty exists alone, such as during sleep.