Urban Dharma

Asheville, NC

Mind-Training in
Seven Points
by Geshé Chekawa (1102-1176)
THE FIRST POINT presentation of the preliminaries, the basis
First, train in the preliminaries.

THE SECOND POINT training in the two bodhicittas, the main practice
Regard all phenomena as dreams.
Analyze the nature of birthless awareness.
Let even the antidote be freed in its own place.
Remain in the nature of ālaya.
In between sessions, be a child of illusion.

Train in taking and sending alternately.

Mount them upon your breath.
The three objects, three poisons and three roots of virtue.
In all actions, train with the words.
Begin the sequence of exchange with yourself.

THE THIRD POINT taking adversities onto the awakening path

When the world and its inhabitants are filled with negativity
Transform adversities into the awakening path.
Drive all blames into one.
Meditate on the great kindness of everyone.
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 Meditating on confused appearances as the four kāyas
Is unsurpassable protection of emptiness.
The best of methods is the four practices.
In order to take the unexpected as the path,
Whatever you suddenly meet should be joined with your
meditation.

THE FOURTH POINT presentation of a lifetime’s practice in summary

A summary of the pith instructions
Are the five powers: put them into practice now.
The mahāyāna instructions for transference
Are (also) these five powers – practicing them matters.

THE FIFTH POINT presentation of the measure of having trained the mind
All teachings converge on a single point.
Of the two witnesses, rely on the principal one.
Always have the support of a joyful mind.
When well trained, you can practice even when distracted.

THE SIXTH POINT presentation of the commitments of mind-training

Always train in the three basic principles.
Change your attitude but remain as you are.
Don’t talk about weak points.
Don’t dwell on others’ affairs.
Work on the stronger kleśas first.
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 Abandon hoping for results.
Abandon poisoned food.
Don’t maintain inappropriate loyalty.
Don’t engage in the agitation of hurtful speech.
Don’t wait in ambush.
Don’t strike at weaknesses.
Don’t transfer a dzo’s burden onto an ox.
Don’t sprint to win a race.
Don’t act with a twisted motive.
Don’t turn gods into demons.
Don’t seek misery as the limbs of happiness.

THE SEVENTH POINT presentation of the precepts of mind-training

Carry out all activities with one intention.
Correct all wrongs with one intention.
At the start and at the end, two things to be done.
Whichever of two occurs, be patient.
Maintain the two even at the risk of losing your life.
Train in the three difficult disciplines.
Adopt the three essential causes.
Don’t let the three deteriorate.
Keep the three inseparable.
Train in all areas impartially,
It is vital that it be deep and all-pervasive.
Always meditate on those who have been set apart.
Don’t be swayed by external conditions.
Now, practice the main points.
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 Don’t misconstrue.
Don’t vacillate.
Train wholeheartedly.
Find freedom through examination and analysis.
Don’t make a fuss.
Don’t be caught up in irritation.
Don’t be temperamental.
Don't expect to be rewarded.

CONCLUDING VERSES
This quintessential elixir of instructions,
Which transmutes the five degenerations
Into the path of awakening
Was transmitted by the sage of Suvarṇadvīpa.

Having being roused by the karma of past training,

And feeling intense inspiration,
I ignored suffering and censure,
And sought out these instructions for taming ego-fixation.
Even if I die, I shall have no regrets.