How to
Understand the Mind
Also by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
Meaningful to Behold
Clear Light of Bliss
Universal Compassion
Joyful Path of Good Fortune
The Bodhisattva Vow
Heart Jewel
Great Treasury of Merit
Introduction to Buddhism
Tantric Grounds and Paths
Ocean of Nectar
Essence of Vajrayana
Living Meaningfully, Dying Joyfully
Eight Steps to Happiness
Transform Your Life
The New Meditation Handbook
How to Solve Our Human Problems
Mahamudra Tantra
Modern Buddhism
The New Heart of Wisdom
The New Guide to Dakini Land
Profits from the sale of this book are designated to the
NKT-IKBU International Temples Project Fund
according to the guidelines in A Money Handbook
[Reg. Charity number 1015054 (England)]
A Buddhist Charity, Building for World Peace
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
How to Understand
the Mind
THE NATURE AND POWER
OF THE MIND
THARPA PUBLICATIONS
UK • US • CANADA
AUSTRALIA • ASIA
First published as Understanding the Mind in 1993
Second edition 1997; Third edition 2002
Reprinted 2004, Reset 2007, 2010, 2013
Fourth edition substantially revised and published as How to Understand the Mind 2014
Digital edition first published 2013
The right of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs, and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means except for the quotation of brief passages for the purpose of private study, research, or review.
Tharpa Publications UK
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Tharpa Publications US
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USA
There are Tharpa Publications offices around the world, and Tharpa books are published in most major languages. See page 393 for contact details.
© New Kadampa Tradition – International Kadampa Buddhist Union 1993, 1997, 2002, 2013
The cover image is of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.
Line illustrations include images from the Wheel of Life as well as the eight auspicious symbols.
Library of Congress Control Number: 2013949529
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
ISBN 978-1-906665-82-1 – paperback
ISBN 978-1-906665-83-8 – ePub
ISBN 978-1-906665-84-5 – kindle
Contents
The Gross, Subtle and Very Subtle Minds
Primary Minds and Mental Factors
The Five All-accompanying Mental Factors
The Five Object-ascertaining Mental Factors
The Eleven Virtuous Mental Factors
Virtue, Non-virtue and Delusion
The Six Root Delusions
The Twenty Secondary Delusions
The Four Changeable Mental Factors
Conceptual and Non-conceptual Minds
Sense and Mental Awarenesses
Direct Perceivers
Subsequent Cognizers
Re-cognizers
Correct Beliefs
Non-ascertaining Perceivers
Non-deluded Doubts
Wrong Awarenesses
Valid and Non-valid Cognizers
Meditation
Conclusion
Dedication
Appendix I The Condensed Meaning of the Text
Appendix II Sadhanas
Liberating Prayer
Essence of Good Fortune
Glossary
Bibliography
Study Programmes of Kadampa Buddhism
Tharpa Offices Worldwide
Introduction
We should know that in recent years our understanding and control of the external world have increased considerably and as a result we have witnessed remarkable material progress, but there has not been a corresponding increase in human happiness. There is no less suffering in the world today, and there are no fewer problems. Indeed, it might be said that there are now more problems and greater unhappiness than ever before. This shows that the cause of happiness and the solution to our problems