Nitartha Institute

This course is a continuation of the in-depth study of Chandrakīrti's Madhyamakāvatāra based on the commentary by the Eighth Karmapa, Mikyö Dorje (1507–1554). We will complete the bulk of the sixth chapter on the pāramitā of prajñā. The topics covered include a detailed refutation of the proponents of consciousness, and an extensive presentation of personal selflessness.

2 credits.

Course code: BUD 702s-A

Prerequisites: BUD 701 for Advanced Nitartha students.

Students who want to take Advanced courses for credit must have completed the stated prerequisite (or an equivalent advanced Shedra course), or be a senior translator.

However, those who are sincerely interested in attending the class, but who have not met the prerequisites for this advanced course, are invited to audit the course as listeners, but not as verbal participants.

Class Topics

• Presentation of the Chittamātra view
• Refutation of a consciousness without outer objects
• Refutation of the dependent nature that is non-dual and substantially established
• Refutation of the dependent nature's existence as something that is beyond all
  conceptual elaborations
• Refutation of the dependent nature's existence as the cause of relative appearances
• Reconciling seeming contradictions with scripture
• Classifications of definitive and provisional
• Refutation of arising from both self and other
• Refutation of causeless arising
• Conclusion to the refutation of the self of phenomena
• The selflessness of persons: the reasons why it is necessary to refute the self of persons
• The refutation of the self that is different from the aggregates
• The refutation of the self that is of the same entity as the aggregates
• The refutation of the self that exists in a relationship of supporter-supported
  with the aggregates
• The refutation of a self that possesses the aggregates
• The summary of the refutation: the antidotes to the twenty extreme views of the
  transitory collection
• Teachings on how the person is a mere dependent imputation
• The presentation of the basis of imputation, the purpose and the refutation in actual fact
• Conclusion of the section on how the person is a mere dependent imputation

Required Texts

• Commentary on The Chariot of the Dakpo Kagyü Siddhas by The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche. 4 Volumes. Nitartha Institute Publications: nitartha.institute.pubs@gmail.com
• The Karmapa's Middle Way: Feast for the Fortunate, A Commentary on
  Chandrakirti's Madhyamakāvatāra by Wangchuk Dorje. Translated by Tyler Dewar. Snow Lion Publications, 2008: www.snowlionpub.com
• Introduction to the Middle Way: Chandrakirti's Madhyamakāvatāra with
  Commentary by Jamgön Mipham, tr. by Padmakara Translation Committee,
  Shambhala, 2005: www.shambhala.com

For Nitartha Institute Publications, please allow 3 weeks for delivery of texts in North America, and for overseas shipping, please allow 2–3 weeks for airmail and 4–6 weeks for surface shipping.

Recommended Texts

• The Center of the Sunlit Sky: Madhyamaka in the Kagyü Tradition, by Karl Brunnhölzl. Snow Lion Publications, 2004: www.snowlionpub.com
• The Moon of Wisdom: Chapter Six of Chandrakirti's Entering the Middle Way with Commentary from the Eighth Karmapa Mikyo Dorje's Kagyu Siddhas by Chandrakirti and Mikyo Dorje. Snow Lion Publications, 2006: www.snowlionpub.com
• The Sun of Wisdom: Teachings on the Noble Nagarjuna's Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way, by Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso and Nagarjuna, Shambhala, 2003: www.shambhala.com
• Mipham's Beacon of Certainty: Illuminating the View of Dzogchen, the Great Perfection by Lama Mipham. Translated by John Whitney Pettit. Wisdom Publications, 1999: www.wisdompubs.org
• The Treasury of Knowledge by Jamgon Thaye. Book 6, Part 3: Frameworks of Buddhist Philosophy. Snow Lion Publications, 2007: www.snowlionpub.com

Mode of Instruction

The class is part of our online campus and is available as downloadable audio. There are also posted study questions, recommended readings, analytical meditation and debate topics, and exam questions, and the ability to contact a distance learning advisor with questions.

Login information will be provided prior to the first class.