Nitartha Institute

734 Madhyamaka IV is the fourth and final in a series of Nitartha Institute’s advanced courses focusing on the principal Indian classic of the Madhyamaka, or Middle Way tradition, Chandrakirti’s Madhyamakavatara, along with the two Kagyu commentaries by the eighth and ninth Karmapas, The Chariot of the Dakpo Kagyu Siddhas and Feast for the Fortunate. The subject matter of this course is the final part of the sixth Madhyamakavatara’s chapter, on paramita of prajna followed by the presentation of remaining grounds of realization on the bodhisattva path: bhumis 7 – 10 and the resultant bhumi of Buddhahood. The topics covered in this semester include the classification of the two-fold selflessness into 16 emptinesses and 4 emptinesses as well as the discussion about the nature of buddhahood: does the buddhas’ wisdom exist and what do buddhas see?

Required Texts

• Commentary on The Chariot of the Dakpo Kagyu Siddhas by The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche. 4 Volumes. Nitartha Institute 1997-2000
• The Karmapa’s Middle Way: Feast of the Fortunate, A Commentary on Chandrakirti’s Madhyamakavatara by Wangchuk Dorje. Translated by Tyler Dewar. Snow Lion Publications, 2008. www.snowlionpub.com
• Introduction to the Middle Way: Chandrakirti's Madhyamakavatara with Commentary by Jamgön Mipham, by Chandrakirti and Jamgön Mipham, Shambhala, 2005 www.shambhala.com

Texts can be ordered from Tashi Wangmo, nitartha.institute.pubs@gmail.com.

Type of Class & Methods of Instruction:

Weekly classes in a classroom setting taught by Acharya Lama Tenpa Gyaltsen (ALTG) will be translated into English and simultaneously broadcast online in streaming video to students worldwide. The course will be taught in Boulder, Colorado. The real time presentations will be accompanied by question and answer periods. The class will also have asynchronous weekly discussion groups, topics for debate practice and analytical meditation instructions. The course will be completed by final written exam.

Additional Class Information

Prerequisites: It is strongly recommended that students who register for this class make a commitment to attend the scheduled classes. While this advanced course is open to all dedicated students of the dharma, there are two classifications of students which are defined in terms of prerequisites:

• Advanced Students: Those students who have completed the foundation and intermediate Nitartha Institute curriculum (or an equivalent advanced Shedra curriculum) and senior translators. Advanced Students are working towards the completion of the Nitartha Institute Advanced Curriculum Certificate of Completion.
• Audit Students: Those students who are sincerely interested in attending the class, but who have not met the prerequisites for this advanced course, are invited to sit in the class.

On Line Course: There will be synchronous, live class room streaming video as well as asynchronous online supplemental class room activities (discussion group; study questions; notes, etc). Information about accessing the course on line will be forwarded after you have completed registration and payment.