COURSES - Madhyamika (Middle Way) philosophy

As stated above, there are numerous textbooks for Madhyamika studies. However, the main amongst them is Chandrakriti's 'Entrance to the Middle Way'. We study it as the root text together with its commentaries like Tsongkhapa's 'Through Exposition of the Meaning of the Middle Way,' Panchen Sonam Dhakpa's General Meaning of Madhyamika', and also his 'Analytical Commentary on Madhyamika', 'Jetsun Chokey Gyaltsen's 'A General Meaning Commentary Clarifying Difficult Points (in Tsongkhapa's 'An Extensive Explanation of Chandrakirti's Entrance to the Middle Way). We study these texts for the three years. During the course Madhyamika study, we also study the second chapter of Pramanavaika with three commentaries, which were mentioned earlier.

The branch subject's studies by the students of the Madhyamika class are:

  1. The remaining portion of Tibetan poetry, if not finishes
  2. Tibetan History and Tibetan Religion Poetry, if not finish
  3. Tibetan History and Tibetan Religion History, both by the fifth Dalai Lama

Study Curriculum for Rine Lopon Degree Non-Sectarian Buddhist Studies: In the final four years of Buddhist studies at this institute, the students will pursue the curricula as given below:

This is a curriculum for the final four years (Eleventh to fourteenth year) of study at the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics leading to the Degree of Rime Lopon.

First Year:

 
Subject
Title
Author
Main Subject
Root Text
Abhidharmakosha
Master Vasubandu
Commentary
Illumination of the Path of Liberation:
A commentary on Abhidharmaksha
Je Gedun Drub, First Dalai Lama
Supplementary Reading
Commentary
An Ornament for Abhidharmakosha (Chim-Dzoe)
Chim Jampalyang Lobsang Dhakpa

Second Year:


 
Subject
Title
Author
Main Subject
Root Text
Vinayasutra: Part I
Acharya Gunaprabha
Commentary
Decisive Argumentation of Vinaya: Part I
Mahapandita Sonam Dhakpa
Supplementary Reading
Commentary
The Rays of the Sun: Part I
Kunkyen Tson

Sakya Text:


 
Title of Texts
Author
Main Subject
Illumination of the Buddha's Thought
Jamgon Sakya Pandita
Moon-beans striking the Target in One Go: Distinguishing the Views: Sakyapa Position
Kunkyen Goran Sonam Senge
The All-round Knowledge of Doctorial Systems: Sakya Position
Taktsang Lotsawa Dapa Sherab Rinchen
Supplementary Reading
Detailed explaination on the Seventy Topics and The Jewels Ornating the treasure Pot of the Profound Hidden Meaning: Sakya Position
Taktsang Lotsawa Drapa Sherab Rinchen
Svatantrika and Prasangika Sections from the Overview of Madhayamika Philosophy
Kunkyen Goram Sonam Senge

Third Year:


 
Subject
Title of Texts
Author
Main Subject
Root Text
Vinayasutra: Part II
Acharya Gunaprabha
Commentary
Decisive Argumentation of Vinaya: Part II
Mahapandita Sonam Dhakpa
Supplementary Reading
Commentary
The Rays of the Sun: Part II
Kunkyen Tson

Kagye Text:

 
Title of Texts
Author
Main Subject
Jewel Ornament of Liberation
Dakpo Lhaje (Gampopa)
Section on the Rebuttal of Self Identity in the Trailblazer of Accomplishment Lineage of Dakgyud
Mikyo Dorje H.H. The VIIIth Karmapa's
Supplementary Reading
Commentary on the Heart Sutra
Kunkyen Pema Karpo
Seventy Topics from The Gateway to Scriptural Citation
Kunkyen Pema Karpo
Perfect Pronouncement of Madyamika System
Jetsun Milarepa Zhepae Dorje

Fourth Year:


 
Title of Texts
Textbook
Author
Main Subject
Root Text
Mahaya Uttaratantra
Lord Maitreya
Commentary
Moon Beams Striking the Crucial Points: A Commentary on the Difficult Points of Uttaratantra
Mahapandita Sonam Dhakpa
Side Reading
Commentary
A Commentary on Uttaratantra
Gyaltseb Je Darma Rinchen

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