The adornment of the middle way : Shantarakshita's Madhyamakalankara with commentary by Jamgön Mipham

In the Madhyamakalankara, Shantarakshita synthesized the views of Madhyamaka and Yogachara, the two great streams of Mahayana Buddhism. This was the last great philosophical development of Buddhist India. In his brilliant and searching commentary, Mipham re-presented Shantarakshita to a world that had largely forgotten him, defending his position and showing how it should be understood in relation to the teaching of Chandrakirti. To do this, he subtly reassessed the Svatantrika-Prasangika distinction, thereby clarifying and rehabilitating Yogachara-Madhyamaka as a bridge whereby the highest philosophical view on the sutra level flows naturally into the view of tantra. Mipham’s commentary has with reason been described as one of the most profound examinations of Madhyamaka ever written. Review “Padmakara has again succeeded in presenting a difficult original text in an accessible and accurate translation.”—Buddhadharma About the Author Jamgön Mipham (1846–1912), one of the great luminaries of Tibetan Buddhism in modern times, has had a dominant and vitalizing influence on the Nyingma School and beyond. He was an important member of the Rimé, or nonsectarian movement, which did much to strengthen and preserve the entire tradition. A scholar of outstanding brilliance and versatility, his translated works are eagerly anticipated by English-language readers. Madhyamaka, or the Middle Way, is accepted by all schools of Tibetan Buddhism as the most profound expression, in philosophical terms, of emptiness, the true nature of phenomena. Emptiness is the basis on which the whole of Mahayana practice is founded, from the mind-training meditations on bodhichitta to the advanced yogas of tantra and dzogchen. The Madhyamaka tradition, inaugurated by Nagarjuna and dominant in India for over a thousand years, remains a vibrant force in Tibetan Buddhism. Shantarakshita's view, quintessentially expressed in the Madhyamakalankara, effects a synthesis between the Madhyamaka of Nagarjuna, the Mind-Only teachings traced back to Asanga, and the logico-epistemological tradition of Dignaga and Dharmakirti. This great work marks the final stage in the evolution of Madhyamaka and was the last major development of Buddhist philosophy in India. Composed toward the end of the nineteenth century, Mipham's brilliant and searching commentary has been described as one of the most profound examinations of Madhyamaka ever written. In presenting and defending Shantarakshita's view, Mipham throws down the gauntlet to the philosophical establishment and calls for a major reassessment of the Madhyamaka field. This challenging but rewarding text is indispensable to a balanced understanding of Tibetan Buddhist thought. This book is a core study text for both scholars and practitioners of Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism. Madhyamaka, Or The Middle Way, Is Accepted By All Schools Of Tibetan Buddhism As The Most Profound Expression, In Philosophical Terms, Of Emptiness, The True Nature Of Phenomena. Emptiness Is The Basis On Which The Whole Of Mahayana Practice Is Founded, From The Mind-training Meditations On Bodhichitta To The Advanced Yogas Of Tantra And Dzogchen. The Madhyamaka Tradition, Inaugurated By Nagarjuna And Dominant In India For Over A Thousand Years, Remains A Vibrant Force In Tibetan Buddhism. Shantarakshita's View, Quintessentially Expressed In The Madhyamakalankara, Effects A Synthesis Between The Madhyamaka Of Nagarjuna, The Mind-only Teachings Traced Back To Asanga, And The Logico-epistemological Tradition Of Dignaga And Dharmakirti. This Work Marks The Final Stage In The Evolution Of Madhyamaka And Was The Last Major Development Of Buddhist Philosophy In India.--book Jacket. Madhyamakalankara -- A Teaching To Delight My Master Manjughosha: A Commentary On The Madhyamakalankara -- A Textual Outline Of The Commentary -- Preamble -- The Commentary. Translated By The Padmakara Translation Group. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [423]-429) And Index.