The Difference Between Manas Prajñā and Vijñāna Prajñā

When encountering a matter, immediately knowing its origin and outcome, and swiftly comprehending it in the mind without words, language, or sound—this is the wisdom of the manas (mental faculty). It is extremely difficult to observe, and most people are unaware of it. Conversely, when encountering a matter and being unable to know immediately, requiring thought, analysis, induction, organization, comparison, and imagination before understanding—this is the wisdom of the mano-vijñāna (consciousness). The mano-vijñāna employs words, language, and sound, utilizing superficial thinking functions, which are easy to observe.

Why is it that some matters can be known immediately, while others cannot? When a matter first arises, it is the manas that performs the functions of attention, contact, sensation, perception, and cognition. For matters that are very familiar or previously experienced, the manas can know immediately and automatically takes charge in handling and responding to them. For unfamiliar or unexperienced matters, it cannot know immediately; even after deliberation, it remains uncertain. Thus, it gives rise to the mano-vijñāna, allowing the mano-vijñāna to discern and think. The manas then deliberates again based on the analysis provided by the mano-vijñāna before proceeding to handle and respond. The function of the mano-vijñāna is to assist the manas in discernment. If the manas itself clearly understands the matter, it does not need the mano-vijñāna to discern or think; it directly makes decisions and swiftly handles and responds to the matter.