Wisdom: Two Buddhist Commentaries

Khenchen Kunzang Palden, Minyak Kunzang Sonam

Padmakara

277

1993

9782906949072

Emptiness

1 total

One of the most intriguing and challenging aspects of Buddhism is the idea of Emptiness. This is the subject of the ninth chapter of the Bodhicharyavatara (The Way of the Bodhisattva), one of the great classics of Mahayana Buddhist literature. The author, Shantideva, introduces the philosophical view of the Madhyamika school and describes the development of Transcendent Wisdom, the heart and life of Buddhist practice. Numerous commentaries have been written by great Buddhist masters to explain Shantideva's somewhat cryptic poetry and subtle philosophical arguments. Two such commentaries, translated from Tibetan at the request of H.H. the Dalai Lama, are presented in this book, along with a new translation of the original text. While both are highly respected within the explanatory tradition, their striking differences, in both emphasis and style, provide a rare depth of perspective on this essential subject.