Emptiness

Foundation of Buddhist Thought #5

by Geshe Tashi Tsering, Thubten Zopa (Foreword)

In Emptiness, the fifth volume in the Foundation of Buddhist Thought series, Geshe Tashi Tsering provides readers with an incredibly welcoming presentation of the central philosophical teaching of Mahayana Buddhism. Emptiness does not imply a nihilistic worldview, but rather the idea that a permanent entity does not exist in any single phenomenon or being. Everything exists interdependently within an immeasurable quantity of causes and conditions. An understanding of emptiness allows us to see the world as a realm of infinite possibility instead of a static system. Just like a table consists of wooden parts, and the wood is from a tree, and the tree depends on air, water, and soil, so is the world filled with a wondrous interdependence that extends to our own mind and awareness. In lucid, accessible language, Geshe Tashi Tsering guides the reader to a genuine understanding of this infinite possibility.

Genres: Buddhism, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Religion

184 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2009

About the author

Geshe Tashi Tsering was born in Tibet in 1958 and received his Geshe Lharampa degree (similar to a doctorate in divinity) from Sera Monastery in India in 1987. Since 1994, he has been the guiding teacher of the Jamyang Buddhist Centre in London, while also teaching at other Buddhist centers worldwide.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tashi_T...

Reviews

[Shagun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book to read for this difficult topic. He has explained the topics so nicely and really triggered a lot of thinking in me. Thank you 🙏

[DRugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clear, helpful description of the middle way (emptiness and co-dependent arising) which lays between nihilism and eternalism.

[Justin Howell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 5 of 6 in a great series that aims to strike a middle ground (sorry, had yo do it!) between not being simply an introductory text on key topics of Buddhist thought nor being simply an overly scholastic presentation on the topic at hand. IMHO, Geshe Tashi Tsering strikes the perfect balance of speaking to an audience that is familiar with the Buddhist teachings and ready to explore these topics in more depth without losing focus on the pragmatic, practice focus of the tradition - the Buddhist path is all about personal transformation after all.

This book provides on one the best presentations written that provides that middle ground approach on a rather challenging topic that leaves the reader knowing that a true understanding and experience of emptiness is closer than one may think before reading this book. I can't recommend this book highly enough for those trying to experience the traditions vast teachings on this most profound topic.

[Koh Boon Yau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Difficult topic simplified

The author provides the background of one of the most fundamental teachings of Buddhism and explain it from multiple perspectives for easy grasping. That said, such a difficult topic should perhaps be read together with how the universe works (law of causality), consciousness etc.

[Everett Grandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What needs to be said

Nothing ...as this is emptiness if one is in proper perspective...nothing to be said... nothing to be done except be in your moment...

[Jerod Hammerstein · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very tough topic. This book helped in my knowledge of emptiness. Thus may help in direct perception of it later as my practice progresses.