The Theoretical Framework: Mind Consciousness and the Prefrontal Cortex

Abstract

Recent dialogues between Buddhist psychology and cognitive neuroscience reveal striking convergences that invite deeper inquiry. This paper extends that dialogue by examining how the Buddhist construct of mano-viññāņa (mind consciousness, the Sixth Consciousness) aligns with contemporary models of prefrontal function. In Buddhist teachings, Mind Consciousness is viewed as an executive hub, crucial for perception, emotion, and thought. It is likened in classical exegesis to a "stage manager" that selects, amplifies, or suppresses mental objects to shape experience and guide intentional action. These capacities map closely onto the functions of the prefrontal cortex (PFC), which serves as a neural "conductor" for top-down attention, working-memory manipulation, affective appraisal, and metacognitive monitoring. This paper explores the parallels between the integrative, evaluative, and self-regulatory features of mano-viññāņa and the operations of the distributed neural architecture, including thalamo-cortical relays, limbic memory circuits, and prefrontal control networks, that underpins executive oversight. By anchoring ancient introspective maps within modern neurobiology, this integrative framework yields a more comprehensive account of human cognition and affect than either tradition can provide alone.

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