Ebook: Introduction to the Middle Way: Chandrakirti's Madhyamakavatara with Commentary by Jamgön Mipham

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.


Review
"For the 'hands-on' Madhyamaka practitioner, this translation of Chandrakirti's Introduction with Mipham's commentary is like a well-stocked toolbox, complete with detailed instructions for use."— Buddhadharma
From the Inside Flap
Introduction to the Middle Way combines the timeless devotional-scholarly poetry of Indian master Chandrakirti (ca. seventh century) with the exhaustive explanation of its meaning by Jamgön Mipham (1846-1912), whose commentary was composed eleven centuries after Chandrakirti lived. Chandrakirti is one of several Indian thinkers whose treatises were brought to Tibet and whose realized teachings about the nature of the mind are the foundation of Tibetan Buddhist thought. Hidden in his verses are the guideposts to enlightenment, composed in this way to help those students who have received instruction to commit it to memory. Mipham's commentary, presented in thorough outline form, offers a point-by-point explanation of Chandrakirti's meaning.

From the Back Cover
Introduction to the Middle Way combines the timeless devotional-scholarly poetry of Indian master Chandrakirti (ca. seventh century) with the exhaustive explanation of its meaning by Jamgön Mipham (1846-1912), whose commentary was composed eleven centuries after Chandrakirti lived. Chandrakirti is one of several Indian thinkers whose treatises were brought to Tibet and whose realized teachings about the nature of the mind are the foundation of Tibetan Buddhist thought. Hidden in his verses are the guideposts to enlightenment, composed in this way to help those students who have received instruction to commit it to memory. Mipham’s commentary, presented in thorough outline form, offers a point-by-point explanation of Chandrakirti’s meaning.


About the Author
Chandrakirti was a seventh-century Indian Buddhist philosopher, revered for his interpretation of Nagarjuna's teachings on the Middle Way.