Manas (Buddhism, Hinduism)

In some interpretations, [manas]

is a fairly general term delineating the mind, that which carries out the intellectual or mental activity in consciousness. However, in Hinduism it is specifically that part of mind which interprets the impressions of the external world of the senses to the [buddhi]

which treats these impressions to discrimination. Where [manas]

is not too dominant, the wisdom and intuition developed in [buddhi]

are transmitted back to [manas]

where they then act as a basis for decisions, doubts and acts of will. It is then through the mind as [manas]

that these decisions, doubts and acts of will manifest through the organs of sense.

In Yogacara, [manas]

is the seventh consciousness, that which interprets and where the feeling of "I" as a separate reality manifests, distils the experience of the six senses (here "intellect " is one of the senses) and transmits the essence of this experience to [alaya-vijnana]

or [citta]

as the storehouse which, although close to pure consciousness, is still coloured with individuality and which carries over the impressions of [manas]

into subsequent lives.

However, as [manovijnana]

, in [Hinayana]

Buddhism, [manas]

becomes the sixth of the six [sadayatana]

or [vinnana-khanda]

comprising senses and mind.