Is the Observer-Supervisor in Mind Training Manas or Vijñāna?

Someone asked: During my daily activities and the flow of thoughts, there is an observer, a supervisor, who closely watches all these actions. Is this observer, this supervisor, the manas or the mind-consciousness?

The questioner himself is certainly observing and supervising himself. Without having practiced to a certain level, it would be impossible to supervise and observe oneself. Such awakening and self-discipline arise only after recognizing one's own afflictions and shortcomings, which then creates a desire to change oneself. Only after having this intention can one begin to observe and supervise one's own speech, actions, and thoughts.

Generally speaking, it is the mind-consciousness that observes and supervises the self. This self refers to the five aggregates. These thoughts and bodily, verbal, and mental actions are primarily initiated and produced by the manas, although the mind-consciousness also participates in them. However, it is not the mind-consciousness that dominates; its participation is mostly passive. Therefore, the mind-consciousness needs to observe and understand its own mental activities and those of the manas. Why can the mind-consciousness constantly reflect on and supervise itself? It is still because the manas, through practice, has attained a degree of awakening, which then prompts the mind-consciousness to reflect on and supervise itself. When the manas is not yet awakened, it is extremely unwilling to deeply analyze and understand its own thoughts and mental activities; generally, it prefers to conceal itself.

When the manas is burdened with heavy defilements and remains unawakened, it tends to deceive both itself and others. Since it seeks self-deception, how could it possibly allow the mind-consciousness to reflect on, supervise, understand, and analyze itself? Consequently, it would be even less willing for others to understand and analyze it. Such an unawakened person fiercely defends his shortcomings. Those who defend their shortcomings also enjoy praising and boasting about themselves. If others do not praise them, they resort to self-praise, elevating themselves to gain self-comfort and satisfaction. Such individuals possess fragile hearts, which is why they crave affirmation from themselves and others to feel secure. As long as a person engages in defending his shortcomings, he will be unwilling to heed others' advice and suggestions. At such times, debating with or advising him will yield little effect. Only for those willing to correctly recognize and change themselves will advice be meaningful and effective, avoiding resentment or even conflict.