According to the Buddha, the physical aspects of reality (forms, including our bodies) do not arise independently, but are dependent upon causes and conditions, and thereby impermanent. Of course we recognize that our bodies are not permanent, and will change, fall apart, and eventually dissolve. But Buddha says even mind is dependent upon causes and conditions and thus also is impermanent. If mind is impermanent, how does it carry on from life to life? What are the qualities of mind, and how does it function?
In this lesson, Gelek Rimpoche discusses the qualities of mind or the consciousness which perceives and knows, and introduces the concept of the“Mental Faculties”, which are the cognitive elements that allow the consciousness to discriminate, ascertain, and qualify the objects it cognizes.