Topic:
The difference between manas and chitta.
[ Proviso: "Citta" equates to the general phenomena of cognition —whereas, "Buddhi" is Intelligence. ]
Preamble:
"We are Spirits in the Material World."
[IOW, we are non-material energy ergo, conscious individual entities encapsulated within a body in a world of real elements composed of non-conscious energy] —[IOW, "We" are composed of 'sat-chit-ananda' living in and giving conscious-animation to a material vessel (body) in a Material world made of (8) aggregate elements-in-flux (by the tri-gunas) that is always first, "Created"; second, "Maintained" for some time; and then, third, "Dissolved"].
Preface:
The material world is composed of elements that are interconnected by Vibration/Frequency similar to the Chemist's 'Elements Chart'.
The (8) Material Elements:
1- Earth
2- Water
3- Fire
4- Air
5- Ether
6- Mind
7- Intelligence
8- Ego (a-hankara, false-ego)
FYI:
Besides these 8-Elements there is:
Brahman (the Void) +
Time +
Jiv-atma (individual Soul) +
Param-atma (Overseer/Source-of-all-Souls) +
the varied 'interactions' of the above elements.
The activities of the Mind (manas) is "to be attracted and/or repulsed" IOW "to accept and/or reject" —this simplistic mechanical activity is the some total of all its functions.
This description alludes to the 'sense-gratification' propensities of a mind that is concerned only with the most superficial level of consciousness.
The activities of the citta (cognition aka consciousness) is "Buddhi" —Intelligence/knowledge.
Citta (consciousness) exists as the essence of our being, but we have been conditioned by countless births-after-births (samsara —reincarnation(s) here in the material world) —thus, Citta (consciousness) is achieved by way of the Soul being encapsulated within a body that affords Sense(and Ego)-gratification.
Such life-times worth of conditioning adds-up to a level of consciousness (Citta) that is ultra-mundane and thus such consciousness cannot rise above the bestial stratum of existance.
That 'Citta' that uses "Buddhi" (intelligence) practices discrimination of "that which is useful/good/enlivening/non-degrading/non-bad-karma-forming".
Recapitulation:
The mind's occupation is to "accept and reject".
The "Citta" (consciousness) is the particular level of perception that is achieved by a living entity.
The "Buddhi" (intelligence) is what a human living entity has the free-will to cultivate . . . to achieve whatever the whim chooses . . . during a lifetime.
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