Middle Way Series

Middle Way

The precious view of śūnyatā,

May it be realized by those who have not realized it;

May it never decline where it has been realized;

May it go on increasing, further and further!

The following texts are available as part of our series on the Middle Way (Madhyamaka/Mādhyamika; dbu ma) philosophy:

General

Response to Questions from Denma Tsegyal Kyab

by Gorampa Sonam Senge

In this reply to a question from a devoted disciple, Gorampa explains how to establish the correct view, both according to the Vehicle of Perfections (pāramitā) and according to the Vajrayāna.

Replies Advice 26 Nov 2024

Conveying the Essence of the Middle Way of Consequence

by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö

Almost certainly written in 1958, this brief text in verse summarizes Tsongkhapa Lobzang Drakpa's approach to Prāsaṅgika Madhyamaka based on his interpretation of Candrakīrti's Introduction to the Middle Way (Madhyamakāvatāra).

Madhyamakāvatāra 9 May 2021

The Words of Chandra: The Definitive Secret of the Great Middle Way of Consequence Beyond Extremes, the Fundamental Intent of All the Tathāgatas

by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö

Pithy verses on the philosophy of the Middle Way of Consequence (Prāsaṅgika Madhyamaka), which Jamyang Khyentse composed in 1943.

17 Nov 2021

The Seed of Reasoning: Notes on the Five Great Logical Arguments of the Middle Way

by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo

A brief text summarizing the five great logical arguments of the Madhyamaka, or Middle Way: 1) the investigation of the cause: the Diamond Splinters; 2) the investigation of the result: refuting existent or non-existent effects; 3) the investigation of both: refuting the four permutations of arising; 4) the investigation of essential identity: ‘neither one nor many’; and 5) the logical argument of Great Interdependence.

Notes Emptiness 7 Aug 2018

A Step-by-Step Meditation on the Definitive Meaning of the Great Middle Way

by Khenpo Petse Rinpoche

The revered Dzogchen teacher Khenchen Pema Tsewang Rinpoche here offers a practical, step-by-step instruction on contemplating individual selflessness and phenomenal identitylessness as a means to arrive at non-dual wisdom beyond the conceptual mind—the nature of the Great Middle Way.

Stages of Meditation Selflessness 24 Jan 2022

Gateway to Learning: Four Great Logical Arguments of the Middle Way

by Mipham Rinpoche

This section of Gateway to Learning (mKhas 'jug) explains the so-called "Four Great Logical Arguments of the Middle Way" (dbu ma'i gtan tshigs chen po bzhi), which are: 1) investigation of the cause: the Diamond Splinters; 2) investigation of the result: refuting existent or non-existent results; 3) investigation of the essential identity: ‘neither one nor many’; and 4) investigation of all: the Great Interdependence. This translation also includes some comments from Khenpo Nüden's celebrated commentary.

Emptiness 20 Aug 2005

Profound Instruction on the View of the Middle Way

by Mipham Rinpoche

Composed in 1892 and appended to The Wheel of Analytical Meditation (dpyad sgom 'khor lo ma), this instruction continues that text's analysis, extending it to all phenomena. Its central message is that the nature of all things, i.e., appearance and emptiness, can only be fully understood through meditation.

12 Oct 2004

Clarifying the Essence: A Summary of the Instructions on the View of the Middle Way

by Rongtön Sheja Künrig

A précis of Rongtön's larger text of instructions on the Middle Way entitled The Moon Rays of Crucial Points, which includes advice on the view, meditation and action that facilitate an understanding of Madhyamaka.

Meditation

Madhyamakāvatāra

Commentary on the Madhyamakāvatāra—Part 1—Collection of Reasoning

by Khenchen Namdrol Tsering

In this teaching, translated from an audio recording, Khenchen Namdrol Tsering explains the background to Candrakīrti's classic work by discussing the texts of the 'collection (or corpus) of reasoning' (rigs tshogs) attributed to Nāgārjuna, the great philosopher and founder of the Madhyamaka tradition.

Madhyamakāvatāra

Commentary on the Madhyamakāvatāra—Part 2—Title and Translators Homage

by Khenchen Namdrol Tsering

In this, the second part of his extensive oral commentary on Candrakīrti's Madhyamakāvatāra, Khenchen Namdrol Tsering discusses the title of the text and the translator's homage.

Madhyamakāvatāra

Prologue to Introduction to the Middle Way (Madhyamakāvatāra)

by Khenpo Shenga

This introduction to the teaching of Candrakīrti's Madhyamakāvatāra explains how the text provides an introduction (avatāra) to the most important Middle Way treatise, namely the Mūlamadhyamakakārikā of Nāgārjuna.

Madhyamakāvatāra Pedagogy 11 Feb 2020

Prayers

Concise Middle Way Aspiration

by Khenpo Shenga

A two-verse aspiration to be reborn in the retinue of Ārya Nāgārjuna, gain perfect understanding of his Middle Way philosophy and teach it to others.

Aspiration Prayers 10 Feb 2020

Middle Way Aspiration

by Khenpo Shenga

A prayer of aspiration to understand the nature of reality, just as it is explained in the Madhyamaka teachings, and then, having perfectly realized this view, to teach it to others, and in so doing, emulate great figures from the past like Nāgārjuna and Āryadeva.

Aspiration Prayers 26 Apr 2005

Quotations

by Bhāviveka

Commonly cited verses from Bhāviveka’s treatise The Heart of the Middle Way (Madhyamakahṛdaya).

Quotations Two Truths 23 Sep 2025

by Śāntarakṣita

A selection of frequently cited verses from Śāntarakṣita’s The Ornament for the Middle Way (Madhyamakālaṅkāra, Toh 3884).

Quotations Emptiness 24 Sep 2025

Middle Way Series

General

Madhyamakāvatāra

Prayers

Quotations

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