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The Wisdom Chapter: Jamgön Mipham's Commentary on the Ninth Chapter of The Way of the Bodhisattva
The first English translation of Mipham Rinpoche's commentary on the -wisdom- chapter of Shantideva's classic text, in which Mipham explains Madhyamaka philosophy from the perspective of the Dzogchen tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.
Shāntideva's guide to the training of a Bodhisattva is one of the most important and beloved texts in the Tibetan tradition. The ninth chapter, however, dealing with Madhyamaka, the Middle Way, the most profound wisdom view of Mahayana Buddhism, has always posed unique challenges to readers.
This commentary by the great scholar Mipham Rinpoche presents in quite straightforward terms Shāntideva's exposition of emptiness, the essential foundation of all Buddhist doctrine, demonstrating that it is not only compatible with, but in fact crucial to, the correct understanding of other important Buddhist teachings such as karma, rebirth, and the practice of compassion. Mipham interprets Shāntideva according to the view of the Nyingma school, which in some respects was at variance with the religiously and politically dominant interpretation of the text in Tibet at that time. As a result, his commentary stirred up a furious debate. With the addition of a critique of Mipham Rinpoche's view by a prominent scholar of the time, along with Mipham's response, that debate is beautifully captured in this volume.
Shāntideva's guide to the training of a Bodhisattva is one of the most important and beloved texts in the Tibetan tradition. The ninth chapter, however, dealing with Madhyamaka, the Middle Way, the most profound wisdom view of Mahayana Buddhism, has always posed unique challenges to readers.
This commentary by the great scholar Mipham Rinpoche presents in quite straightforward terms Shāntideva's exposition of emptiness, the essential foundation of all Buddhist doctrine, demonstrating that it is not only compatible with, but in fact crucial to, the correct understanding of other important Buddhist teachings such as karma, rebirth, and the practice of compassion. Mipham interprets Shāntideva according to the view of the Nyingma school, which in some respects was at variance with the religiously and politically dominant interpretation of the text in Tibet at that time. As a result, his commentary stirred up a furious debate. With the addition of a critique of Mipham Rinpoche's view by a prominent scholar of the time, along with Mipham's response, that debate is beautifully captured in this volume.
- GenresBuddhismPhilosophy
400 pages, Hardcover
Published June 13, 2017
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About the author
Jamgön Mipham
70 books18 followersJu Mipham Rinpoche (Tibetan ཇུ་མི་ཕམ་, Wylie 'ju mi pham) or Jamgön Mipham Gyatso (འཇམ་མགོན་མི་ཕམ་རྒྱ་མཚོ་, 'jam mgon mi pham rgya mtsho) was a great Nyingma master and writer of the 19th century, student of Jamgön Kongtrul, Jamyang Khyentsé Wangpo and Patrul Rinpoche.
Like all Tibetan authors, Mipham Rinpoche uses several names in the colophons to his works, which may then be rendered into English in several ways, including:
Dhih
Jampal Dorje
Jampal Gyepé Dorjé (Wyl. ‘jam dpal dgyes pa’i rdo rje)
Lodrö Drimé
Mipham Choklé Namgyal
Mipham Gyatso
Mipham Jampal Gyepa'i Dorje
Like all Tibetan authors, Mipham Rinpoche uses several names in the colophons to his works, which may then be rendered into English in several ways, including:
Dhih
Jampal Dorje
Jampal Gyepé Dorjé (Wyl. ‘jam dpal dgyes pa’i rdo rje)
Lodrö Drimé
Mipham Choklé Namgyal
Mipham Gyatso
Mipham Jampal Gyepa'i Dorje
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
January 29, 2023
Excellent translation and work of scholarship. Difficult arguments presented lucidly; part of the credit for that must go to Mipham as well.
Displaying 1 of 1 review