Ornament of Reason

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In the Root of the Middle Way, Nagarjuna presents a magical method of reasoning, inviting everyone who encounters these lucid and fearless contemplations to follow him on a journey to the heart of transcendent insight. Inspired by the Buddha’s teachings on profound emptiness in the Prajnaparamita Sutras, Nagarjuna sets out to probe what appears to be the most fundamental facts of the world, challenging us to question even our most deeply ingrained ideas and what seem to be self-evident facts. In a series of unassuming and penetrating investigations, he asks basic questions such as: “What does it mean for something to occur? What is meant by ‘going’ or by ‘coming’? Does the eye see? Does fire burn fuel? What is an example of being right? What does it mean to be wrong? Nagarjuna extends an invitation to open-minded and unprejudiced inquiry, and from his reader he asks for nothing more and nothing less than sincere and honest answers. Yet where are our answers? Once we begin to follow Nagarjuna’s clear and direct steps, the gateway to the inconceivable emerges—perhaps unexpectedly. The present work contains Nagarjuna’s verses on the Middle Way accompanied by Mabja Jangchub Tsöndrü’s famed commentary, the Ornament of Reason. Active in the twelfth century, Mabja was among the first Tibetans to rely on the works of the Indian master Candrakirti, and his account of the Middle Way exercised a deep and lasting influence on the development of Madhyamaka philosophy in all four schools of Buddhism in Tibet. Sharp, concise, and yet comprehensive, the Ornament of Reason has been cherished by generations of scholar-practitioners. The late Khunu Lama Tenzin Gyaltsen Rinpoche, a renowned authority on the subject, often referred to this commentary as “the best there is.” A visual outline of the commentary has been added that clearly shows the structure of each chapter and makes the arguments easier to follow.”I am pleased to know that great care has been taken in preparing this translation along with the early Tibetan commentator Mabja Jangchub Tsondru’s explanation of the Root of the Middle Way. I have no doubt that readers interested in the development of the Madhyamika view will derive great benefit from this work”—H.H. the Dalai Lama

“Because of its clarity and profundity, Mabja’s Ornament of Reason is considered one of the greatest Tibetan commentaries on the Root of the Middle Way, Nagarjuna’s most important work. Thomas Doctor’s complete translation of the Ornament is truly masterful. Written in straightforward English, free from jargon and neologism, Doctor’s work is a model for the translation of a Tibetan philosophical classic. Lucid, accessible, and yet utterly true to the original, it sets the standard for any philosophical translation undertaken in the future. No one who is serious about understanding Madhyamaka can afford to overlook this book.”—José Ignacio Cabezón, XIV Dalai Lama Professor, UC Santa Barbara

“Mabja’s Ornament of Reason is one of the most important Tibetan commentaries on Nagarjuna’s Root of the Middle Way. It is an original work that offers interpretations of Madhyamaka philosophy that cannot be ignored by those who are intent on studying seriously this tradition. Thomas Doctor’s masterful translation, which is as accurate as it is readable, makes an extremely valuable contribution by making available the important insights that this work offers—insights that will help the readers to understand Nagarjuna’s original text at the same time that it will illuminate important philosophical problems. A must read for all those who think that the Madhyamaka philosophy is an important tradition deserving of sustained philosophical attention.”—Georges B.J. Dreyfus, Professor of Religion, Williams CollegeMabja Jangchub Tsöndrü, active in the twelfth century, was among the first Tibetans to rely on the works of the Indian master Candrakirti—and his account of the Middle Way exercised a deep and lasting influence on the development of Madhyamaka philosophy in all four schools of Buddhism in Tibet.US

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