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Object Ascertaining Mental Factors

Aspiration

A knower that, upon observing some intended thing, seeks it

It has the function of acting as a support for making effort

The process of producing effort and pliancy that aspiration supports

Maitreya's Discrimination of the Middle and the Extremes (stanza 4.5ab) says:
The support and that supported by it and
The cause and the result.
  • cause = faith of conviction in excellent qualities
  • support = aspiration
  • supported = striving/effort
  • result = pliancy

Types of Aspiration

  • aspiration wishing to meet
  • aspiration wishing not to be separated
  • aspiration that seeks

Belief / Conviction

A knower which holds the object that has been ascertained by its valid cognition, thinking, "It is just like this and not otherwise."

It has the function of non-captivation

"Non-captivation" means

One has gained firm belief in the object that one has ascertained, an opponent cannot steer one away from it

Mindfulness

It is a non-forgetfulness of the mind with respect to a familiar object.

It has the function of non-distraction

Three features:

  • objective feature = a familiar object
  • subjective aspect feature = non-forgetfulness having observed the object
  • functional feature = non-distraction

Concentration / Meditative Stabilisation

A one-pointedness of mind that, within observing an imputed thing, is continuously set upon it

It has the function of activing as a support for knowledge

"Function as a support for knowledge" means

Through the force of analysis with the wisdom of individual investigation in dependence on calm-abiding in which the mind is internally set in equipoise, one achieves the special insight observing modes and varieties

Wisdom

A knower that individually differentiates the faults and good qualities of things that are to be examined

It has the function of overcoming doubt

The Four Reasonings for Examining Phenomena

  • Wisdom relies on four types of reasoning to analyze phenomena, presented in the text by Kachen Yeshe Gyeltsen as:

    • Functional Reasoning: Examines the function or action of a phenomenon. For example, fire’s function is to burn tinder, earth’s is to support, water’s is to absorb and collect, and wind’s is to develop or increase. Anger’s function is to harm, while wisdom’s function is to act as an antidote to incompatible states like ignorance or self-grasping.
    • Reasoning of Dependence: Analyzes how results depend on their causes and conditions. For instance, different crops (rice, wheat, barley) arise from distinct causes, and negative results like suffering stem from negative causes, while positive results like happiness depend on positive causes.
    • Logical Reasoning: Establishes truths through rational, tenable arguments not contradicted by valid cognition. For example, a person is impermanent because they are produced by causes and conditions, which are themselves impermanent and exhaustible, leading to the person’s eventual cessation.
    • Reasoning of Essential Nature: Identifies the nature of phenomena without needing logical proof. For example, fire’s nature is to burn upwards, and water’s is to flow downwards, observable directly without further reasoning.

  • Wisdom arises from causes and conditions like study, reflection, and meditation, leading to changes in a person’s behavior and understanding.

  • For example, understanding the negative consequences of actions like killing or stealing through wisdom leads to behavioral change, stopping such actions.
  • Wisdom’s function is to clarify faults and virtues, enabling informed choices and reducing ignorance, as opposed to afflicted wisdom (e.g., manipulative business tactics).