Training the Mind in Seven Points

Ananda Dharma Center is pleased to present a series of teachings by Geshe Norbu on the classical text Training the Mind in Seven Points by the Kadampa master, Geshe Chekawa Yeshe Dorje. The practice of thought transformation (Lo Jong) was first taught by Lord Buddha, and for centuries was transmitted secretly from guru to disciple. In the 12th century, Geshe Chekawa, seeing how successful the teachings were in helping people overcome illnesses, decided to make the teachings generally available. To this end, he wrote the now famous root text Training the Mind in Seven Points, which has become one of the essential root texts of the Kadampa tradition.

Geshe Norbu gives a commentary on this practice, which is especially well suited for those of us living and working in the fast pace of the city. The purpose of these teachings is to strengthen and increase the mind of bodhicitta, the vast mind of great compassion and love for all beings, which is the basis for full and complete enlightenment.

Geshe Norbu was born in 1964 in Tibet and ordained at age 18. He left Tibet in
1983 and entered Sera Jey Monastery in Southern India. Geshe-la was one of the best in his class and was awarded the Geshe degree in 2003, the highest degree of learning in Buddhist Studies. His nickname at Sera was Chandrakirti, due to his wisdom becoming very sharp and penetrative while debating on the key points of Buddhist philosophy. He was asked to teach at Sera Jey before he completed his Geshe degree, due to his illuminated wisdom. After finishing his education, he was invited by the Abbot of Kopan, to teach at Kopan Monastery in Nepal. Geshe Norbu is a revered teacher and devoted spiritual practitioner with years of dedicated practice in mind training.

From his wealth of experience and understanding, Geshe Norbu offers practical advice on how to stimulate inner reflection, deepen our wisdom and compassion, understand the true nature of our minds and ultimately achieve a greater degree of peace and happiness in short, to transform our problems into the path.