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]] Seven Points of Mind Training (Tib. བློ་སྦྱོངས་དོན་བདུན་མ་, Wyl. blo sbyong don bdun ma) — the famous instruction on 'mind training' (Tib. བློ་སྦྱོང་, lojong) brought to Tibet by Lord Atisha and written down by Geshe Chekawa. The seven points are:

The Preliminaries to Mind Training
The Main Practice of Training the Mind in Bodhichitta
Transforming Adversity into the Path of Awakening
Applying the Practice Throughout One's Whole Life
The Measure or Signs of Proficiency in Mind Training
The Commitments of Mind Training
The Precepts of Mind Training

Chekawa's original text was not arranged into these seven points. This was done later by his disciple, Sechilphuwa Özer Shyönnu (aka Chökyi Gyaltsen) (1121-1189).

Root Text



Version 1	Translation	Version 2 (According to Ga Rabjampa)	Translation
	The Root Text of the Seven Points of Mahayana Mind Training		The Seven Points of Mind Training: A Mahayana Instruction
}}	The Preliminaries
	First, train in the preliminaries.		First, train in the preliminaries.
}}	The Main Practice
			Once stability is reached, teach the secret.
			Train in the two—giving and taking—alternately.
			These two are to be mounted on the breath.
			Begin the process of taking with yourself.
			The instruction for periods between meditation is, in brief:
			Three objects, three poisons and three roots of virtue.
			In all activities, train by applying slogans.
	Consider all things and events as dreamlike.		Consider all things and events as dreamlike.
	Examine the nature of unborn awareness.		Examine the nature of unborn awareness.
	Let even the antidote be freed in its own place.		Let even the antidote be freed in its own place.
	Rest in the ālaya, the essence.		Rest in the ālaya, the essence of the path.
			The seven and their processes are conceptual, so forsake them.
	Between sessions, be a conjurer of illusions.		Between sessions, be a conjurer of illusions.
	Train in the two—giving and taking—alternately.
	These two are to be mounted on the breath.
	Three objects, three poisons and three roots of virtue.
	In all activities, train by applying slogans.
	Begin the process of taking with yourself.
}}	Transforming Adversity into the Path of Enlightenment
	When all the world is filled with evil,		When all the world is overrun<ref>Most versions of the Seven Points have གང་བའི་ meaning “full”, but this text has ཁོལ་བའི་, which according to Khenpo Appey Rinpoche means ‘oppressed’ or ‘subdued’.</ref> with evil,
	Transform adversity into the path of enlightenment.		Transform adversity into the path of enlightenment.
	Drive all blames into one.		Drive all blames into one.
	Meditate on the great kindness of all.		Meditate on the great kindness of all.
	Meditating on delusory perceptions as the four kāyas		Meditating on delusory perceptions as the four kāyas
	Is the unsurpassable śūnyatā protection.		Is the unsurpassable śūnyatā protection.
	The fourfold practice is the best of methods.		The fourfold practice is the best of methods.
	Whatever you encounter, apply the practice.		Whatever you encounter, apply the practice.
			When the two are complete, take on all.
			Transform the unfavourable into supports for meditation.
			First address whatever is most prominent.
}}	Applying the Practice throughout the Whole of Life
	The essence of the instruction, briefly stated,		The essence of the instruction, briefly stated,
	Is to apply yourself to the five strengths.		Is to apply yourself to the five strengths.
	The mahāyāna advice for transference		The mahāyāna advice for transference
	Involves the same five strengths. Conduct is important.		Involves the same five strengths. Conduct is important.<ref>Geshe Thupten Jinpa and others take སྤྱོད་ལམ་ to refer to the practice of the five strengths, but Ga Rabjampa's commentary relates it to conduct, and specifically the posture one adopts at the moment of death.</ref>
}}	The Measure of Mind Training
			The measure of the training is in turning away.
			A sign of proficiency is to have five greatnesses.
	All teachings share a single purpose.		All teachings share a single objective.<ref>Other versions have དགོས་པ་ (purpose) in place of དགོངས་པ་, translated here as objective.</ref>
	Of the two witnesses, rely upon the principal one.		Of the two witnesses, rely upon the principal one.
	Always maintain only a joyful attitude.		Always maintain only a joyful attitude.
	If this can be done even when distracted, you are proficient.		If this can be done even when distracted, you are proficient.
}}	The Commitments of Mind Training
	Train constantly in three basic principles.		Train constantly in three basic principles.
	Change your attitude, but remain natural.		Change your attitude, but remain natural.
	Don’t speak of injured limbs.		Don’t speak of injured limbs.
	Don’t ponder others’ flaws.		Don’t ponder others’ flaws.
	Train first with the strongest destructive emotions.		Train first with the strongest destructive emotions.
	Abandon any expectations of results.		Abandon any expectations of results.
	Give up poisonous food.		Give up poisonous food.
	Don’t be so loyal to the cause.		Don’t be so loyal to the cause.
	Don’t lash out in retaliation.		Don’t lash out in retaliation.
	Don’t lie in ambush.		Don’t lie in ambush.
	Don’t strike a vulnerable point.		Don’t strike a vulnerable point.
	Don’t transfer the ox’s burden to the cow.		Don’t transfer the ox’s burden to the cow.
	Don’t be competitive.		Don’t be competitive.
	Don’t misperform the rites.		Don’t misperform the rites.
	Don’t reduce gods to demons.		Don’t reduce gods to demons.
	Don’t seek others’ misery as crutches of your own happiness.		Don’t seek others’ misery as crutches of your own happiness.
}}	The Precepts of Mind Training
	Do everything with a single intention.		Do everything with a single intention.
	Counter all adversity with a single remedy.		Counter all adversity with a single remedy.
	Two tasks: one at the beginning and one at the end.		Two tasks: one at the beginning and one at the end.
	Whichever of the two occurs, be patient.		Whichever of the two occurs, be patient.
	Keep the two, even at your life’s expense.		Keep the two, even at your life’s expense.
	Train in the three difficulties.		Train in the three difficulties.
	Acquire the three main provisions.		Acquire the three main provisions.
	Cultivate the three that must not decline.		Cultivate the three that must not decline.
	Keep the three from which you must not separate.		Keep the three from which you must not separate.
	Apply the training impartially to all.		Apply the training impartially to all.
	It is vital that it be deep and all-pervasive.		It is vital that it be deep and all-pervasive.
	Meditate constantly on those who’ve been set apart.		Meditate constantly on those who’ve been set apart.<ref>This translation follows Khenpo Appey Rinpoche’s explanation as ཟུར་དུ་བཀོལ་བ་, and the commentary of Ga Rabjampa.</ref>
	Don’t be dependent on external conditions.		Don’t be dependent on external conditions.
	This time, practise what’s most important.		This time, practise what’s most important.
	Don’t misunderstand.		Don’t misunderstand.
	Don’t be inconsistent.		Don’t be inconsistent.
	Train wholeheartedly.		Train wholeheartedly.
	Gain freedom through discernment and analysis.		Gain freedom through discernment and analysis.
	Don’t be boastful.		Don’t be boastful.<ref>On the meaning of this term in Tibet, see Geshe Thupten Jinpa, Mind Training, pp.594-5, n.240.</ref>
	Don’t be irritable.		Don’t be irritable.
	Don’t be temperamental.		Don’t be temperamental.
	Don’t seek acknowledgement.		Don’t seek acknowledgement.

<small> </small>	The essence of the nectar-like instructions for transforming into the path of awakening the five prevalent signs of degeneration was passed down from the one from Golden Isle. When karmic seeds left over from former trainings were aroused in me, I felt great interest, and so, without regard for suffering or disparagement, I sought instructions on subduing ego-clinging. Now, even in death, I will have no regrets.	<small> </small>	The essence of the nectar-like instructions for transforming into the path of awakening the five prevalent signs of degeneration was passed down from the one from Golden Isle. When karmic seeds left over from former trainings were aroused in me, I felt great interest, and so, without regard for suffering or disparagement, I sought instructions on subduing ego-clinging. Now, even in death, I will have no regrets.

Tibetan Commentaries

According to Thupten Jinpa, the translator and editor of Mind Training—The Great Collection (see 'Introduction', pages 11-12), the most well-known commentaries from Tibetan teachers on the Seven Points of Mind Training are:

Sechilphuwa Özer Shyönnu’s (twelfth century) commentary compiled from Geshe Chekawa’s own lectures
Gyalsé Tokmé Zangpo’s (fourteenth century) commentary
Shonu Gyalchok’s (fourteenth century) Compendium of All Well-Uttered Insights
Müchen Könchok Gyaltsen’s (fifteenth century) Supplement to Oral Transmission
Radrengpa’s (fifteenth century) Stream of the Awakening Mind
Hortön Namkha Pel’s (fifteenth century) Mind Training: Rays of the Sun
The First Dalai Lama Gendün Drup’s (fifteenth century) Lucid and Succint Guide to Mind training
Khedrup Sangye Yeshe’s (sixteenth century) How to Integrate into One’s Mind the Well-Known Seven-Point Mind Training
Kalden Gyatso’s (seventeenth century) Dispelling the Darkness of Mind
Yongzin Yeshe Gyaltsen’s (eighteenth century) Essence of Ambrosia
Ngulchu Dharmabhadra’s (eighteenth century) Heart Jewel of the Bodhisattvas
Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo’s (nineteenth century) Seeds of Benefit and Well-Being

[only commentaries #1 and 4 appear in The Great Collection anthology]

Translations and Contemporary Commentaries

In English

''To Dispel the Misery of the World'' />

Dalai Lama, Awakening the Mind, Lightening the Heart, the Dalai Lama (based on a commentary entitled The Rays of the Sun, by Hortön Namkha Pel, a disciple of Tsongkhapa), Harper San Francisco, 1995
Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Enlightened Courage, Editions Padmakara, 1992
Chögyam Trungpa, Training the Mind and Cultivating Loving Kindness, Shambhala, 1993
Ga Rabjampa, To Dispel the Misery of the World: Whispered Teachings of the Bodhisattvas, translated by Rigpa Translations, Wisdom Publications, 2012.
Geshe Lobsang Tharchin, Achieving Bodhichitta, Mahayana Sutra and Tantra Press, 1999
Geshe Rabten & Geshe Dhargyey, Advice for a Spiritual Friend, Wisdom Publications, 1996
Geshe Thupten Jinpa (translator)
- Mind Training: The Great Collection (as part of an anthology of early lojong texts), Wisdom Publications, 2005
- Essential Mind Training (Tibetan Classics), Wisdom Publications, 2011
Gomo Tulku, Becoming a Child of the Buddhas, Wisdom Publications, 1998
Jamgön Kongtrul, The Great Path of Awakening, translated by Ken McLeod, Shambhala, 2005
Pema Chödrön, Start Where You Are, Shambhala Publications, 2001
Ringu Tulku Mind Training, Snow Lion Publications, 2007
Thrangu Rinpoche, Khenchen, The Seven Points of Mind Training, Zhyisil Chokyi Publications, 2004. Available here
Thrangu Rinpoche, Heart of the Dharma: Mind Training for Beginners, KTD Publications, 2010
Traleg Kyabgon, Benevolent Mind, Zhyisil Chokyi Publications, 2003
Traleg Kyabgon, The Practice of Lojong: Cultivating Compassion Through Training the Mind, Shambhala Publications, 2007
Wallace, B. Alan, Seven Point Mind Training, Snow Lion Publications, 2004
Wallace, B. Alan, Buddhism with an Attitude, Snow Lion Publications, 2003
Zhechen Gyaltsab Gyurmed Padma Namgyal, Path of Heroes: Birth of Enlightenment (two volumes), Dharma Press, 1995

In French

Bokar Rinpoche, Un Coeur sans Limites, Editions Claire Lumiere, 2006
Chögyam Trungpa, L’Entraînement de l’esprit et l’apprentissage de la bienveillance, aux éditions du Seuil, collection Points Sagesses, 1998
Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Audace et Compassion, Editions Padmakara, 1997
Jamgön Kongtrul (Djamgoeun Kongtrul), L'Alchimie de la Souffrance, Editions Marpa, 1996
Pema Chödrön, La Voie commence là où vous êtes, La Table Ronde, 2000

Oral Teachings Given to the [[About Rigpa|Rigpa]] Sangha

Sogyal Rinpoche, Dzogchen Beara, Ireland, 30 June-8 July 2012, part of the relative bodhichitta section of Point Two, Points Four, Five, Six & Seven, and Concluding Verses.
Sogyal Rinpoche, Connecticut, USA, 13-17 June 2012, relative bodhichitta section of Point Two & Point Three
Sogyal Rinpoche, London, UK, 9 June 2012, relative bodhichitta section of Point Two, the preliminary part
Sogyal Rinpoche, Paris, France, 26-28 May 2012, absolute bodhichitta section of Point Two (slogans 2-6)
Sogyal Rinpoche, Berlin Centre, Germany, 18-20 May 2012, Introduction to the Seven Points of Mind training, Point One (slogan 1), & absolute bodhichitta section of Point Two (slogans 2-6)
Khandro Rinpoche, Lerab Ling, 1 October 2010
Sogyal Rinpoche, Clear Lake, USA, 25th November—2nd December 2007, based on several commentaries (Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Tayé, Sechilphuwa Özer Shyönnu, H.H. the Dalai Lama, Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, etc.)
Sogyal Rinpoche, Kirchheim, 28 December 2006—5 January 2007, based on the commentary by Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Tayé and other masters (edited audio teachings available through Zam)
Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche, Lerab Ling, 23—27 July 2006 (based on the commentary by Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Tayé)
Mingyur Rinpoche, Birmingham Karma Ling, December 2002. Read edited transcripts online
Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, Vermont, 1996
Sogyal Rinpoche, Lerab Ling, 1993

References

External links

Teaching by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche on The Seven Points of Mind Training

Texts Prayers and Practices Lojong Enumerations 07-Seven

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