(TXS)The Wisdom Chapter: Jamgon Mipham's Commentary on the 9th Chapter of The Way of the Bodhisattva by Jamgon Mipham

160 in stock

227mm x 152mm x 24mm

Pages: 400

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.


Sh-üntideva'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 Sh-üntideva'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 Sh-üntideva 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.