Illuminating the Intent - (Library of Tibetan Classics) by Je Tsongkhapa (Hardcover)
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<p/><br></br><p><b> About the Book </b></p></br></br>"This work is an authoritative exposition of Candrakåirti's seventh-century classic Entering the Middle Way. Written primarily as a supplement to Nåagåarjuna's Fundamental Verses on the Middle Way, Candrakåirti's text integrates the central insight of Nåagåarjuna's thought-the rejection of any metaphysical notion of intrinsic, objective being-with the ethical and edifying elements of the Buddha's teachings. He undertakes this by correlating the progressive stages of insight into the emptiness of intrinsic existence with the well-known Mahayana framework of the ten levels of the bodhisattva. Completed the year before the author's death, Tsongkhapa's exposition of Candrakåirti's text is recognized by the Tibetan tradition as the final standpoint of Tsongkhapa on many of the questions of Buddhist Madhyamaka philosophy. Written in lucid exemplary Tibetan, Tsongkhapa's work presents a wonderful marriage of rigorous Madhyamaka philosophical analysis with a detailed and subtle account of the progressively advancing mental states and spiritual maturity realized by sincere Madhyamaka practitioners. The work is still used as the principal textbook in the study of Indian Madhyamaka philosophy in many Tibetan monastic colleges. Tsongkhapa's extensive writings on Madhyamaka philosophy, including the present text, ushered in a new phase of engagement with the philosophy of emptiness in Tibet, giving rise to a great flowering of literary activity on the subject by subsequent Tibetan scholars like Gyaltsab Jâe, Khedrup Jâe, and the First Dalai Lama, as well as the critiques of Taktsang Lotsåawa, Gorampa, Shåakya Chokden, and Karmapa Mikyèo Dorjâe and the subsequent responses to these by Tsongkhapa's followers, such as Jamyang Galo, Jetsun Chèokyi Gyaltsen, and Panchen Losang Chèogyen"--<p/><br></br><p><b> Book Synopsis </b></p></br></br><b>The Dalai Lama's translator and author of the definitive biography of Tsongkhapa here presents the first translation of one of that master's seminal and best-known works.</b> <p/><b>This work is perhaps the most influential explanation of Candrakirti's seventh-century classic<i> Entering the Middle Way </i>(<i>Madhyamakavatara</i>).</b> <p/> Written as a supplement to <b>Nagarjuna's <i>Fundamental Verses on the Middle Way, </i></b>Candrakirti's text integrates the central insight of Nagarjuna's thought--the rejection of any metaphysical notion of intrinsic existence--with the well-known Mahayana framework of the ten levels of the bodhisattva, and it became the most studied presentation of Madhyamaka thought in Tibet. <p/> Completed the year before the author's death, Tsongkhapa's exposition of Candrakirti's text is recognized by the Tibetan tradition as<b> the final standpoint of Tsongkhapa on many philosophical questions, </b>particularly the clear distinctions it draws between the standpoints of the Madhyamaka and Cittamatra schools. <p/> Written in exemplary Tibetan, Tsongkhapa's work presents a wonderful marriage of rigorous Madhyamaka philosophical analysis with a detailed and subtle account of the progressively advancing mental states and spiritual maturity realized by sincere Madhyamaka practitioners. <p/> The work remains the principal textbook for the study of Indian Madhyamaka philosophy in many Tibetan monastic colleges, and it is a principal source for many Tibetan teachers seeking to convey the intricacies of Madhyamaka philosophy to non-Tibetan audiences. <p/> Though it is often cited and well known, this is the first full translation of this key work in a Western language.<p/><br></br><p><b> Review Quotes </b></p></br></br><br>"Tsongkhapa is without a doubt the most important and influential philosopher Tibet has ever produced, and <i>Illuminating the Intent</i> is without a doubt his most important and influential treatise Thupten Jinpa renders Tsongkhapa's precise philosophical Tibetan in crystal-clear philosophical English, supplemented by erudite notes and explanations. This volume is indispensable for understanding Tsongkhapa's philosophical contributions." <p/> --Jay Garfield, Doris Silbert Professor in the Humanities, Smith College, and the Harvard Divinity School<br><br>"In his superb translation of <i>Illuminating the Intent</i>, Thupten Jinpa maintains a balance between scholarship and readability to authentically convey Tsongkhapa's final understanding of the convergence of reality, compassion, and practice."<br> --Gareth Sparham, author of Tantric Ethics and Vast as the Heavens, Deep as the Sea<br><br>"<i>Illuminating the Intent </i>is a tremendous accomplishment. Thupten Jinpa has given us a lucid and eloquent translation of a monumental work of Buddhist philosophy, representing Tsongkhapa's final word on the Middle Way. His scholarly precision and accessible language, along with his well-written introduction to Tsongkhapa's Madhyamaka and helpful glossary of key terminology, open this crucial resource to a broad audience. This will be the go-to wellspring for scholars and general audiences alike."--Kevin Vose, College of William and Mary, author of Resurrecting Candrakirti<br><br>"<i>Illuminating the Intent</i> represents Tsongkhapa's final perspective on Madhyamaka philosophy, held in high esteem in the Tibetan monastic curriculum. Thupten Jinpa, as a Lharampa geshé, is a product of this curriculum, as well as being a broadminded and erudite scholar and translator . . . I cannot think of a more suitable person to take on the task of translating this work."--Gavin Kilty, translator of Tsongkhapa's Lamp to Illuminate the Five Stages<br><br>"Jé Tsongkhapa's <i>Illuminating the Intent</i> presents the enlightened meaning of Nagarjuna, Buddhapalita, Candrakirti, and Santideva, who clarify Lord Buddha's teachings on selflessness. It is famed for its clarity and for the depth of its decisive analysis of the difficult points of the view of emptiness. Geshe Thupten Jinpa has admirably applied his own years of study and thought to bring this precious work to English-speaking readers."--His Eminence Ling Rinpoché<br><br>"This exceptional work is the eloquent culmination of Tsongkhapa's rigorous efforts as a scholar and yogi, written when his analysis of the profound view was complete. Thupten Jinpa has been steeped in the Geluk tradition since childhood, and his assiduous study, reflection, and debate ultimately earned him a <i>geshé lharampa</i> degree. His Cambridge education, decades of interpreting for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, engagement with contemporary academics, and rich experience of translating Tibetan Buddhist literature have made him singularly well placed to present a scintillating rendering of <i>Illuminating the Intent</i> in English. Countless grateful readers will rejoice at his gift."--Jeremy Russell, consultant, Ganden Phodrang<br><br>"Thupten Jinpa's succinct introduction provides a wealth of information on the central issues raised in this important Tibetan commentary on the stages of the bodhisattva path. His skillful translation makes even Tsongkhapa's lengthy treatment of the complexities of understanding emptiness clear and accessible."--Karen Lang, professor emerita, University of Virginia, and author of Four Illusions: Candrakirti's Advice to Travelers on the Bodhisattva Path<br><br>"<i>Illuminating the Intent</i> is Tsongkhapa's renowned commentary on Candrakirti's <i>Entering the Middle Way</i>, the foundational text for the study of Madhyamaka in Tibet. Composed in 1418, it is Tsongkhapa's last exposition of Madhyamaka. Here he sets forth the meaning of emptiness in the context of the practice of the bodhisattva, delineating each of the ten perfections along the path. Once again, we have Thupten Jinpa to thank for a masterful translation of a Buddhist classic."--Donald Lopez, Arthur E. Link Distinguished University Professor of Buddhist and Tibetan Studies, University of Michigan<br><br>"I always look forward to reading any translation that Thupten Jinpa brings to publication. Not only does he have a masterful way of rendering a Tibetan text into very clear English, he brings to it a clear understanding of the meaning of the text that is derived from his broad education. His presentation is also enhanced by his rich cross-cultural experience. It is significant that he brings these qualifications to the first complete translation of <i>Illuminating the Intent</i>, pivotal text in the Tibetan tradition, for the reader can now definitely, as he says, 'engage with the text in an efficient and comprehensive manner.'"--Joshua W.C. Cutler, Editor-in-Chief of The Great Treatise on the Stages to Enlightenment<br><br>"In <i>Illuminating</i> <i>the Intent: An Exposition of Candrakirti's "Entering the Middle Way</i>," Thupten Jinpa brings to bear his lifetime of experience and the unmatched translations skills of textual precision, clarity, and confidence in meticulously transmitting the great stylistic elegance, methodological rigor, and the deep Prasa?gika insights of Tsongkhapa in a way no other work before it has succeeded." <p/> --Sonam Thakchoe, Senior Lecturer, Philosophy Department, University of Tasmania<br><p/><br></br><p><b> About the Author </b></p></br></br>Thupten Jinpa Langri was educated in the classical Tibetan monastic academia and received the highest academic degree of Geshe Lharam (equivalent to a doctorate in divinity). Jinpa also holds a BA in philosophy and a PhD in religious studies, both from the University of Cambridge, England. Since 1985, he has been the principal translator to the Dalai Lama, accompanying him to the United States, Canada, and Europe. He has translated and edited many books by the Dalai Lama, including <i>The World of Tibetan Buddhism</i>, <i>Essence of the Heart Sutra, </i> and the New York Times bestseller <i>Ethics for the New Millennium</i>.<br> Jinpa has published scholarly articles on various aspects of Tibetan culture, Buddhism, and philosophy, and books such as <i>Songs of Spiritual Experience: Tibetan Poems of Awakening and Insight</i> (co-authored) and<i> Self, Reality and Reason in Tibetan Thought</i>. He serves on the advisory board of numerous educational and cultural organizations in North America, Europe, and India. He is currently the president and the editor-in-chief of the Institute of Tibetan Classics, a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to translating key Tibetan classics into contemporary languages. And he also currently chairs the Mind and Life Institute and the Compassion Institute.
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