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THE CENTER OF THE SUNLIT SKY: Madhyamaka in the Kagyu Traditionby Karl BrunnhölzlMadhyamaka is a potent and universally accessible means of calming our suffering and awakening to our innate wisdom. The Center of the Sunlit Sky artfully rescues this brilliant teaching from its unwarranted reputation for intellectual opacity and reinstates it as a supremely practical tool kit for everyday living. The aim of this book is to take Madhyamaka out of the purely intellectual corner into which it--unjustly--gets boxed. It is an attempt to show how Madhayamaka actually addresses and works with all of our experiences in life. The book follows the original Indian sources as well as the standard commentaries on Madhyamaka in the Kagyu School of Tibetan Buddhism. At the same time, these materials are adapted for a contemporary audience, combining the familiar sharpness of Madhyamaka reasonings (launching a massive assault on our cherished belief systems) with exploring the practical relevance of the Madhyamaka way of mind training. "A valuable contribution to scholarship and one worthy of study."--The Middle Way "His [Dr. Karl Brunnholzl's] approach to the text is both intellectual and experiential, showing how a clear understanding of what can appear to be a dauntingly complex text can be used to deepen practice."--The Middle Way Part One of the book, "The General Presentation of Madhyamaka in the Kagyu Tradition," provides an overview of the transmission of Madhyamaka from India to Tibet and its relation to Vajrayana and Mahamudra, followed by a general presentation of Madhyamaka in terms of ground, path, and fruition. Further chapters are devoted to the Autonomist-Consequentialist distinction, the controversial issue of "Shentong-Madhyamaka," the distinction between expedient and definitive meaning, and a penetrating presentation of the major differences between the Eighth Karmapa's and Tsongkhapa's interpretations of Madhyamaka. Part Two consists of a brief introduction to the Bodhicaryavatara and a translation of the Pawo Rinpoche's commentary on its ninth chapter (on knowledge). The Second Pawo Rinpoche, Tsugla Trengwa (1504-1566) received the majority of his education from the Eighth Karmapa and was a teacher to the Ninth Karmapa. He was a master of sutra and tantra, composed many excellent expositions of dharma teachings, and spent his whole life in protecting and furthering the teachings of the practice lineage. The Second Pawo Rinpoche, Tsugla Trengwa(1504-1566), received the majority of his education form the Eighth Karmapa and was a teacher to the Ninth Karmapa. He was a master of sutra and tantra, composed many excellent expositions of dharma teachings, and spent his whole life in protecting and furthering the teachings of the practice lineage. Karl Brunnhölzl, M.D. was trained as a physician and also studied Tibetology. He received his systematic training in Tibetan language and Buddhist philosophy and practice at the Marpa Institute for Translators, founded by Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche. Since 1989 he has been a translator and interpreter from Tibetan and English. He is presently mainly involved with the Nitartha Institute as a teacher and translator. "These English translations and the accompanying analysis of the Second Pawo Rinpoche's and the Eighth Karmapa's commentaries explain Madhyamaka in the Kagyu tradition. Therefore, this work will be very important for students of Buddhism."--Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, tutor to the Seventeeth Karmapa "The first volume of the Nitartha Institute Series, and a study text for Naropa University's Buddhist Studies program, The Center Of The Sunlit Sky: Madhyamaka In The Kagyu Tradition presents the tradition of Madhyamaka Buddhism as more than a purely intellectual exercise, showing how it directly addresses daily life experience. Chapters discuss understanding of two realities, Madhyamaka meditation, the distinctions between Autonomists and Consequentialists, and much more. Overall, The Center Of The Sunlit Sky is a determined effort to publish a thorough understanding of the Kagyu view of Madhyamaka for Western readers. Though undoubtedly meant for those already familiar with Buddhism's basic tenets, The Center Of The Sunlit Sky presents complex philosophical and spiritual precepts in as clear and direct terms as possible for Western minds. A 'must-have' for anyone seeking to better understand the Madhyamaka Buddhism as has been practiced in Tibet for centuries."-- Midwest Book Review "The book is geared toward the contemporary Buddhist practitioner; Brunnholzl discusses not only Madhyamaka methods of reasoning but also their use in analytic meditation...follows a Tibetan commentarial format in which one raises rhetorical questions, outlines one's own system in response, and supports one's argument with quotes from authoritative Indian sources."-- Buddhadharma "This book gives, for the first time in Western publications, a comprehensive presentation of the unique Kagyü view of Madhyamaka...In sum, this is a pioneering effort to make Kagyü scholarship on Madhyamaka philosophy known to a wider audience."-- The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, author of Wild Awakening The Center of the Sunlit Sky is a 2005 finalist for the Ashé Journal book award for spiritual nonfiction. The inaugural annual award is given in honor of Baba Raul Canizares. Eligible books included non-fiction works that focused on a spiritual theme (historical, auto/biographical, scholarly, philosophical or devotional). more... EXPLORE THIS TITLE FURTHER...
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