Arya Maitreya - Middle Beyond Extremes: Maitreyas Madhyantavibhaga with Commentaries by Khenpo Shenga and Ju Mipham

DescriptionMiddle Beyond Extremes contains a translation of the Buddhist masterpiece Distinguishing the Middle from Extremes. This famed text, often referred to by its Sanskrit title, Madhyantavibhaga, is part of a collection known as the Five Maitreya Teachings. Maitreya, the Buddhas regent, is held to have entrusted these profound and vast instructions to the master Asanga in the heavenly realm of Tushita.In pithy verses, Distinguishing the Middle from Extremes employs the principle of the three natures to explain the way things seem to be, as well as the way they actually are. Unraveling the subtle processes that condition our thinking and experience, Maitreyas teaching reveals a powerful path of compassionate vision and spiritual transformation. Distinguishing the Middle from Extremes is here presented alongside commentaries by two outstanding masters of Tibets nonsectarian Rim movement: Khenpo Shenga and Ju Mipham. Maitreya and Asanga, who lived during the fourth century C.E., are the progenitors of the Approach of Vast Activity, one of two great currents of Mahayana view and practice. Their works have achieved the status of unique spiritual classics.Maitreya describes the multifaceted interdependent processes whereby consciousness manifests and expresses itself. When on this path of experience we equally acknowledge the expressions of mind and their intrinsic nature, we will, he promises, discover a flawless and bountiful perspectivea discovery of unlimited resources. Maitreyas terse instructions are accompanied here by two commentaries.The first, by Khenpo Shenga (18711927), intersperses glosses and explanatory remarks between the words of the root text. Unique to Shengas approach is that he literally never adds a word of his ownall of his comments are extracted verbatim from the classical commentary of Vasubandhu. The second commentary, by Ju Mipham (18461912), seeks to explain and provide clear solutions by taking up the issues set forth in the verses and offering his understanding of them.ReviewIn his Five Teachings, the protector Maitreya the Regent, who has mastered the ten grounds, reveals fully and flawlessly the view, meditation, conduct, and fruition that is accomplished through the Great Vehicle. With utmost profundity, his teachings reach far and wide; they are a treasury of scripture, reasoning, and oral instruction.Chkyi Nyima RinpocheThis is the most readable translation I have ever seen of Maitreyas profound text Distinguishing the Middle from Extremes, together with two of the most incisive commentaries from Tibet. The translation is so lucid and precise, even one sentence can pull the reader toward deep experience of meaning. Invaluable for scholars and meditators, this is a work to be celebrated.John Makransky, Associate Professor of Buddhism, Boston CollegeThis timely volume is a much welcomed addition to our body of Yogacara literature in translation. This profound textone of the five Yogacara treatises associated with the legendary Indian master Maitreyais both an analysis of the extreme views to which we are all too prone and a succinct summary of the Middle Path that takes us beyond extremes. The translation of the root verses is accompanied by two recent Tibetan commentaries. The first carefully elucidates the often cryptic verses themselves, while the second fully elaborates their sense and application. Together the text and its commentaries provide a comprehensive and accessible outline of the Yogacara view of reality. It is essential for any serious student of Yogacara.William S. Waldron, Associate Professor of Religion, Middlebury CollegeAcademics and serious students will gain from it a key to many other Tibetan Buddhist texts and a rigorously tested foundation for Buddhist practice.Thar LamThis is a fine translation . . . of a seminal text in Indian and Tibetan Buddhist traditions. It is accompanied by two commentaries that together make this notoriously difficult text surprisingly readable. . . . Represents a major contribution, of which scholars as well as practitioners will want to take note. Religious Studies ReviewThis fascinating translation of Maitreyas Madhyantavibhaga is a lynchpin for students of the classics. . . . The end-path of this critically important text is to aid the seeker in discerning reality free of dualistic extremes. This translation does that job admirably well. . . . Of value to the reader is a superb 23-page English-Tibetan-Sanskrit glossary. New Age RetailerFrom the Back CoverMiddle Beyond Extremes contains a translation of the Buddhist masterpiece Distinguishing the Middle from Extremes. This famed text, often referred to by its Sanskrit title, Madhyantavibhaga, is part of a collection known as the Five Maitreya Teachings. Maitreya, the Buddhas regent, is held to have entrusted these profound and vast instructions to the master Asanga in the heavenly realm of Tushita.In pithy verses, Distinguishing the Middle from Extremes employs the principle of the three natures to explain the way things seem to be as well as the way they actually are. Unraveling the subtle processes that condition our thinking and experience, Maitreyas teaching reveals a powerful path of compassionate vision and spiritual transformation.Distinguishing the Middle from Extremes is here presented alongside commentaries by two outstanding masters of Tibets nonsectarian Rim movement, Khenpo Shenga and Ju Mipham.In his Five Teachings the protector Maitreya, the Regent who has mastered the ten grounds, reveals fully and flawlessly the view, meditation, conduct, and fruition that is accomplished through the Great Vehicle. With utmost profundity his teachings reach far and wide; they are a treasury of scripture, reasoning, and oral instruction.--Chkyi Nyima RinpocheThis is the most readable translation I have ever seen of Maitreyas profound text Distinguishing the Middle from Extremes, together with two of the most incisive commentaries from Tibet. The translation is so lucid and precise, even one sentence can pull the reader toward deep experience of meaning. Invaluable for scholars and meditators, this is a work to be celebrated.--John Makransky, Assoc. Professor of Buddhism, Boston CollegeThis timely volume is a much welcomed addition to our body of Yogacara literature in translation. This profound text--one of the five Yogacara treatises associated with the legendary Indian master Maitreya--is both an analysis of the extreme views to which we are all too prone and a succinct summary of the Middle Path that takes us beyond extremes. The translation of the root verses is accompanied by two recent Tibetan commentaries. The first carefully elucidates the often cryptic verses themselves, while the second fully elaborates their sense and application. Together, the text and its commentaries provide a comprehensive and accessible outline of the Yogacara view of reality. It is essential for any serious student of Yogacara.--William S. Waldron, Assoc. Professor of Religion, Middlebury CollegeMaitreya and Asanga (fl. 4th century C.E.) are the progenitors of the Approach of Vast Activity, one of two great currents of Mahayana view and practice. Their works have achieved the status of unique spiritual classics. Throughout the centuries, they have continued to guide and inspire some of Buddhisms most brilliant minds.Khenpo Shenga (1871-1927) contributed tremendously to the non-sectarian Rim movement in Tibet. His commentaries on the classic Indian Buddhist treatises have become the core curriculum in numerous monastic colleges throughout Tibet and South Asia.Ju Mipham (1846-1912) displayed a universal genius as he wrote on all aspects of Buddhist theory and practice, as well as on the traditional sciences. He has emerged as one of the most influential figures to come out of the Tibetan tradition in recent centuries.The Dharmachakra Translation Committee draws its inspiration from the vision, commitment, and magnificent achievements of past Buddhist translators. Directed by Chkyi Nyima Rinpoche, the Committee is dedicated to making Buddhist classics available to modern readers in their native languages.About the AuthorThe Dharmachakra Translation Committee draws its inspiration from the vision, commitment, and magnificent achievements of past Buddhist translators. Directed by Chkyi Nyima Rinpoche, the Committee is dedicated to making Buddhist classics available to modern readers in their native languages.