Path To The Middle

Book Title: The Illumination of the Thought
Author: Anne Carolyn Klein
Publisher: Sri Satguru Publications
Language: English
Edition: 1995
ISBN: 9788170304487
Pages: 316
Cover: Hardcover
Dimensions: 23 cm x 15 cm
Weight: 501 gm

About the Book

Preface
"The Illumination of the Thought" (dbu ma dgongs pa rab gsal) is one of the major works by Tsong-khapa, written in 1418, the year before his death. It represents the culmination of his life’s work on Madhyamika philosophy, which was heavily influenced by Indian scholars Nagarjuna and Candrakirti. The text provides direct commentary on an Indian Madhyamika treatise and reflects Tsong-khapa's integration of Indian ideas into the Tibetan tradition.

Tsong-khapa’s work takes its place in a long lineage of Tibetan Buddhist philosophy, linking the teachings of Nagarjuna and Candrakirti with those of the fourteenth century. His contributions stand out for their integration of philosophical analysis and practical guidelines, especially with respect to the Bodhisattva’s path. In the context of Tibetan monastic scholarship, this work is both a doctrinal exploration and a teaching tool that continues to influence Tibetan thought to this day.

The text has been influential in shaping Tibetan scholarly practices, offering a bridge between written texts and oral traditions of transmission. It represents an oral genre that amplifies the meaning of philosophical texts, as well as a ritualistic genre that is central to Tibetan Buddhism's devotional practices.

Introduction
The oral scholarship of Kensur Yeshey Tupden on this text invites a deeper understanding of the role of oral traditions in Tibetan Buddhism. The balance between explanatory and ritualistic oral genres is crucial in Tibetan scholastic and ritual practice, where both serve different but complementary roles in the transmission of knowledge.

This work highlights the interconnectedness of oral and written traditions in Tibetan Buddhist philosophy and serves as a foundational piece in understanding the nuances of Madhyamika thought in the Tibetan context. The legacy of Tsong-khapa's "The Illumination of the Thought" continues to influence the teachings and practices of Tibetan Buddhism, especially in relation to the path of the Bodhisattva.