SEVEN-POINT MIND TRAINING

CHEKAWA YESHE DORJE (1101-1175)

Because of my numerous aspirat\ions, I have defied the trag\ic tale of suffering And have taken \instructions to subdue self-grasping. Now, even \if death comes, I have no regrets.

Seven-Point Mind Training

1. PRESENTATION OF THE PRELIMINARIES, THE BASIS First, train in the preliminaries. 1

2. TRAINING IN THE TWO MINDS OF AWAKENING, THE MAIN PRACTICE 2A. Training in the ultimate awakening mind2A1. The actual meditation session

Train to view all phenomena as dreamlike.Examine the nature of the unborn awareness.The remedy, too, is freed in its own place.Place your mind on the basis-of-all, the actual path.

2A2. The subsequent period [practices]

In the intervals be a conjurer of illusions.

2B. Training in the conventional awakening mind2B1. The meditation session

Train in the two – giving and taking – alternately.Place the two astride the breath.

2B2. The subsequent period [practices]

There are three objects, three poisons, and three roots of virtue.In all actions, train by means of the words.

3. TAKING ADVERSE CONDITIONS ONTO THE PATH OF ENLIGHTENMENT When the world and its inhabitants boil with negativity,Transform adverse conditions into the path of enlightenment.

3A. Training in the two awakening minds, the extraordinary thoughts3A1. Taking adverse conditions onto the path by means of training in the conventional awakening mind3A1A. Recognizing your own self as the enemy

Banish all blames to the single source.

3A1B. Recognizing sentient beings as friends and cherishing them

Toward all beings contemplate their great kindness.

3A2. Taking adverse conditions onto the path by means of training in the ultimate awakening mind

With the three views and treasury of space,The protection of yoga is unexcelled.By meditating on illusions as the four buddha bodies,Emptiness is protection unsurpassed.

3B. Striving in the dual practice of accumulation and purification, the extraordinary activities

The fourfold practice is the most excellent method.1) Accumulation of merit2) Purification of negative karma3) Making offerings to malevolent forces4) Offering torma to the Dharma protectors

Relate whatever you can to meditation right now.

1 The translation of the root text has been sourced from 'Mind Training – The Great Collection' translated by Thupten Jinpa (pages 83-85). The embedded outlines have been sourced from 'A Commentary on the Seven-Point Mind Training' by Se Chilbu Chokyi Gyaltsen also found within 'Mind Training – The Great Collection' (pages 87-132)

1

Seven-Point Mind Training

4. PRESENTATION OF A LIFETIME'S PRACTICE IN SUMMARY In brief the essence of instruction is this:Apply yourself to the five powers.

1) Propelling intention2) Acquaintance3) Positive seed4) Eradication5) Aspirational prayer

As Mahayana's transference method isThe five powers alone, their practice is vital.

1) Positive seed2) Aspirational prayer3) Eradication4) Propelling intention5) Acquaintance

5. PRESENTATION OF THE MEASURE OF HAVING TRAINED THE MIND The intent of all teachings converges on a single point.Of the two witnesses uphold the principal one.

1) Not being disapproved of by those who are reputedly sublime2) Not being the object of your own disapproval

Cultivate constantly the joyful mind alone.If this can be done even when distracted, you are trained.

6. PRESENTATION OF THE COMMITMENTS OF MIND TRAINING Train constantly in the three general points.

1) Your mind training should not contradict your pledges2) Your mind training should not become offensive3) Your mind training should not be biased

Transform your attitudes but remain as you are.

Do not speak of the defects [of others].Do not reflect on others' shortcomings.Discard all expectations of reward.Discard poisonous food.Do not maintain [inappropriate] loyalty.Do not torment with malicious banter.Do not lie in ambush.Do not strike at the heart.Do not place the load of a dzo on an ox.Do not sprint to win a race.Do not abuse this [practice] as a rite.Do not turn gods into demons.Do not seek misery as a means to happiness.

7. PRESENTATION OF THE PRECEPTS OF MIND TRAINING Accomplish all yogas through a single means.Overcome all errors through a single means.There are two tasks – one at the start and one at the end.Forbear whichever of the two arises.

1) Great fortune2) Misfortune

2

Seven-Point Mind Training

Guard the two even at the cost of your life.1) The precepts and commitments presented in the teachings in general2) The commitments of this particular mind training teaching

Train in the three difficult challenges.1) Remember the antidotes2) Overcome the afflictions3) Eradicate the continuum of the afflictions

Adopt the three principal conditions.1) There should be a qualified spiritual teacher 2) Your state of mind should be such that many realizations have arisen3) Conditions conducive to Dharma practice must be gathered

Contemplate the three that are free of degeneration.1) Make sure that your faith and respect toward your spiritual teacher remain undiminished2) Make sure that your enthusiasm for mind training remains undiminished3) Learn to guard your pledges undiminished

Be endowed with the three inseparable factors.1) Make sure your body is never divorced from virtuous activity at all times2) Make sure your speech is never divorced from virtuous activity at all times3) Make sure your mind is never divorced from virtuous activity at all times

Train constantly toward the chosen objects.Do not depend on other conditions.Engage in the principal practices right now.

Do not apply misplaced understanding.1) Misplaced forbearance2) Misplaced aspiration3) Misplaced savoring4) Misplaced compassion5) Misplaced dedication6) Misplaced rejoicing

Do not be sporadic.Train with decisiveness.Be released through the two: investigation and close analysis.Do not boast of your good deeds.Do not be ill-tempered.Do not be fickle.Do not be boisterous.

Through this proliferation of the five degenerations,Transform [every event] into the path of enlightenment.

Because of my numerous aspirations,I have defied the tragic tale of sufferingAnd have taken instructions to subdue self-grasping.Now, even if death comes, I have no regrets.

3

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PRAYERS FOR MEDITATION

The Four Thoughts

This precious life of leisure and opportunity is rare and easily lost.The world and those within it are impermanent. I too will die soon.The results of my virtuous and non-virtuous actions will without fail ripen within me.And since there is no genuine happiness to be found within the abodes of samsara I must correctly practice the true Dharma.

Going for Refuge and Generating Bodhicitta

I go for refuge until I am enlightened To the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha.Through my practice of giving and other perfectionsMay I become a buddha to benefit all sentient beings. (3x)

The Four Immeasurables

May all beings have happiness and the cause of happiness.May they be free from suffering and the cause of suffering.May they never be separated from the happiness that knows no suffering.May they dwell in equanimity, free from attachment and aversion to those near and far.

Seven-Limb Prayer

Reverently, I prostrate with my body, speech, and mind;I present clouds of every type of offering, actual and imagined;I declare all my negative actions accumulated since beginningless timeAnd rejoice in the merit of all holy and ordinary beings.Please remain until the end of cyclic existenceAnd turn the wheel of Dharma for sentient beings.I dedicate all the virtues of myself and others to the great enlightenment.

Request

Please bless me to cease all deluded minds immediately,From disrespect for the gurus to the subtle dualistic conception.Bless me to generate all unmistaken minds instantly, From respect for the gurus to the realisation of emptiness.Bless me to completely pacify all outer and inner obstacles.

Dedication Prayers

Due to the merits of these virtuous actions,May I quickly attain the state of a guru-buddhaAnd lead all sentient beings, without exceptionInto that enlightened state.

May the supreme jewel bodhicittaThat has not arisen, arise and grow;And may that which has arisen not diminishBut increase more and more.

SHAMATHA

Shamatha is attained by progressing through the nine stages, relying on the eight antidotes to abandon the five faults. This is accomplished through the six powers and the four mental engagements.

Fault Antidote

1. laziness 1. faith 2. aspiration 3. effort 4. pliancy

2. forgetfulness 5. mindfulness

3. laxity and excitement 6. introspection

4. non-application 7. application

5. over-application 8. equanimity

1. The first stage is attained through the power of hearing.2. Stage 1 - Setting the mind3. Mindfulness4. Introspection5. From here until the seventh stage the flame progressively decreases in size until it becomes absent. This

difference denotes the measure of the strength of effort required regarding mindfulness and introspection.6. The elephant is the mind and the black colour symbolises laxity.7. The monkey is the proliferation of thoughts and the black colour symbolises excitement. 8. The second stage is attained through the power of thinking.9. Stage 2 - Continuous setting10. Excitement has the five sense pleasures as its objects.11. From here, the black colour progressively becomes white. This symbolises the factor of clarity and the

factor of stability progressively increasing.12. The third and fourth stages are attained through the power of mindfulness.13. Stage 3 - Resetting14. The rabbit is subtle laxity. From here, one can individually identify coarse and subtle laxity.15. Looking back means that having recognized that the mind has wandered, it is again directed back to the

object.16. Stage 4 - Close setting17. The fifth and sixth stages are attained through the power of introspection.18. The potential for excitement to arise prior to meditation has weakened.19. Since virtuous thoughts are an interruption at the time of shamatha meditation, it is necessary to stop

them. At other times it is not necessary.20. Due to introspection the mind does not fall into scattering and through being uplifted, it is drawn into

concentration.21. Stage 5 - Disciplining22. Stage 6 - Pacifying23. The seventh and eighth stages are attained through the power of effort. 24. Stage 7 - Thorough pacifying

At this stage it is difficult for subtle laxity or excitement to arise and even if they do arise a little, they areimmediately eliminated with the slightest effort.

25. The black colour of the elephant is gone and there is no monkey. This means that in dependence on initially applying a little mindfulness and introspection, the mind can engage continuously in concentration without any potential of being interrupted by laxity, excitement or thoughts.

26. Stage 8 - Making one-pointed27. The ninth stage is attained through the power of familiarity.28. Stage 9 - Setting in equipoise29. Physical pliancy30. Mental pliancy31. Attainment of shamatha32. The root of samsara is cut by the union of shamatha and vipashyana observing emptiness.33. Equipped with mindfulness and introspection, seek the correct view of emptiness.

VAJRASATTVA PURIFICATION1. The Power of Reliance: Refuge and Bodhicitta

I go for refuge until I am enlightenedTo the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Supreme Assembly.By my practice of giving and other perfections,May I become a Buddha to benefit all sentient beings (3x)

2. The Power of Regret

First recall the definition of negative karma – any action that results in suffering, usually an action motivated by ignorance, attachment or aversion. Think of the negativities you have committed, especially negative actions that are habitual or particularly heavy, or a specific incident you most wish to purify. Think how, if they are not purified, they will only lead to suffering in the future. In this way, generate strong feelings of urgency and regret.

3. The Power of the Remedy

Visualization: Above the crown of your head, seated upon a lotus and moon seat, is Vajrasattva. His body is white and he has one face and two arms. He holds a vajra and bell, and sits in the vajra posture. Vajrasattva isthe embodiment of the purification energy of the Buddhas. On a moon disc at Vajrasattva’s heart stands a HUM encircled by a garland of the hundred-syllable mantra. A powerful stream of white nectar flows from the HUM and mantra garland and you are cleansed of all sickness, negative karma, and obscurations.

OM VAJRASATTVA SAMAYA / MANUPALAYA / VAJRASATTVA DENOPA TITHA / DIDO ME BHAVA / SUTO KAYO ME BHAVA / SUPO KAYO ME BHAVA / ANURAKTO ME BHAVA / SARVA SIDDHE ME PRAYATSA / SARVA KARMA SU TSAME / TSITTAM SHRIYAM KURU HUM / HA HA HA HA HO / BHAGAVAN SARVA TATHAGATA / VAJRA MAME MUNTSA / VAJRA BHAVA MAHA SAMAYA SATTVA AH HUM PHET

Three Visualizations for Mantra Recitation

First method: Visualize the white nectar flowing from Vajrasattva’s heart down through your crown, and into your body. It flows very strongly like water coming from a hose or like a very powerful shower. It drives out all the negative energy of your body, speech, and mind and is expelled through all the orifices of your body in the form of snakes, scorpions, ants, long worms, etc. You are completely purified and filled with blissful energy.

Second method: The white nectar slowly fills your body from below. As the level of nectar rises, your negativities start to rise as well, floating on top of the nectar, like oil floating on water. Your negativities and defilements are slowly pushed upward by the pure nectar; they gradually flow out of your body through yourcrown chakra.

Third method: An immense amount of powerful light radiates from Vajrasattva’s heart. Immediately as it makes contact with your crown chakra, the negative energy completely disappears, just as when a bright light is switched on in a dark room, the darkness instantly and completely disappears.

Generating Faith in Having Been Purified

From the crown of your head, Vajrasattva says, “Oh child of the lineage, your negativities, obscurations and broken and damaged pledges have been completely purified.” Generate strong faith that they have been completely purified just as Vajrasattva has said.

4. The Power of Restraint

Think: “Before Vajrasattva, I vow never again to commit those negative actions from which I can easily abstain and not to commit for a day, an hour or as long as possible those negative actions from which I find itdifficult to abstain.”

Absorption

Vajrasattva is pleased with your pledge, and melts into light and dissolves into you. Your body, speech and mind become inseparably one with Vajrasattva’s holy body, speech and mind.

Dedication

Due to the merits of these virtuous actions,May I quickly attain the state of a guru-buddhaAnd lead all living beings, without exception,Into that enlightened state.

May the supreme jewel bodhicittaThat has not arisen, arise and grow;And may that which has arisen not diminishBut increase more and more.

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