Introduction to the Middle Way


Book Description

An adventure into the heart of Buddhist wisdom through the Madhyamika—or Middle Way—teachings This book includes a verse translation of the Madhyamakavatara by the renowned seventh-century Indian master Chandrakirti, an extremely influential text of Mahayana Buddhism, followed by an exhaustive logical explanation of its meaning by the modern Tibetan master Jamgön Mipham, composed approximately twelve centuries later. Chandrakirti's work is an introduction to the Madhyamika teachings of Nagarjuna, which are themselves a systematization of the Prajnaparamita, or “Perfection of Wisdom” literature, the sutras on the crucial but elusive concept of emptiness. Chandrakirti's work has been accepted throughout Tibetan Buddhism as the highest expression of the Buddhist view on the sutra level. With Jamgön Mipham's commentary, it is a definitive presentation of the wisdom of emptiness, a central theme of Buddhist teachings. This book is a core study text for both academic students and practitioners of Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism.




Introduction To The Middle Way


Book Description

Introduction To The Middle Way Presents An Adventure Into The Heart Of Buddhist Wisdom Through The Madhyamika, Or `Middle Way , Teachings, Which Are Designed To Take The Ordinary Intellect To The Limit Of Its Powers And Then To Show That There Is More. This Book Includes A Verse Translation Of The Madhyamakavatara By The Renowned Seventh-Century Indian Master Chandrakirti, An Extremely Influential Text Of Mahayana Buddhism, Followed By An Exhaustive Logical Explanation Of Its Meaning By The Modern Tibetan Master Jamgon Mipham, Composed Approximately Twelve Centuries Later. Chandrakirti`S Work Is An Introduction Ot Eh Madhyamika Teachings Of Nagarjuna, Which Are Themselves A Systematization Of The Prajnaparamita, Or Perfection Of Wisdom Literature, The Sutras On The Crucial But Elusive Concept Of Emptiness. Chandrakirti`S Work Has Been Accepted Throughout Tibetan Buddhism As The Highest Expression Of The Buddhist View On The Sutra Level. With Jamgon Mipham`S Commentary, It Is A Definitive Presentation Of The Wisdom Of Emptiness, A Central Theme Of The Buddhist Teachings. This Book Will Be A Core Study Text For Both Academic And Religious Students Of Mahayana And Vajrayana Buddhism.




CandrakÄ«rtiâs Introduction to the Middle Way


Book Description

Candrakirti's Introduction to the Middle Way (Madhyamakavatara) is a central work of Buddhist philosophy for two reasons. First, it provides an introduction to Madhyamaka, one of the three major philosophical schools of Buddhist thought (the other two being Abhidharma and Yogacara). Second, within Madhyamaka, Candrakirti's text occupies a very prominent role. This is primarily due to its enormous influence in Tibet, where Candrakirti's work became the main entry-point into the study of Madhyamaka thought. While the historical importance of the Introduction to the Middle Way for understanding a major section of Buddhist thought is evident, what makes it particularly interesting for students is the role it plays as an 'introduction'. It is one of Candrakirti's earlier works and presents a comprehensive guide to the key philosophical ideas and problems of Madhyamaka thought. This Oxford Guide is for the philosophically interested student or scholar reading the Introduction to the Middle Way. Westerhoff's commentary focuses on the philosophical content of the text, using Candrakirti's auto-commentary as the main explicatory resource.