Title
Freedom from Extremes: Gorampa's 'Distinguishing the Views' and the Polemics of Emptiness (Studies in Indian and Tibetan Buddhis,New
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What is emptiness? This question at the heart of Buddhist philosophy has preoccupied the greatest minds of India and Tibet for two millennia, producing hundreds of volumes. Distinguishing the Views, by the fifteenthcentury Sakya scholar Gorampa Sonam Senge, is one of the most important of those works, esteemed for its conciseness, lucidity, and profundity. Freedom from Extremes presents Gorampa's elegant philosophical case on the matter of emptiness here in a masterful translation by Geshe Lobsang Dargyay.Gorampa's text is polemical, and his targets are two of Tibet's greatest thinkers: Tsongkhapa, founder of the Gelug school, and Dolpopa, a founding figure of the Jonang school. Distinguishing the Views argues that Dolpopa has fallen into an eternalistic extreme, whereas Tsongkhapa has fallen into nihilism, and that only the mainstream Sakya view what Gorampa calls 'freedom from extremes' represents the true middle way, the correct view of emptiness. Suppressed for years in Tibet, this seminal work today is widely regarded and is studied in some of Tibet's greatest academic institutions.Gorampa's treatise has been translated and annotated here by two leading scholars of Tibetan Buddhist philosophy, and a critical edition of the Tibetan text on facing pages gives students and scholars direct access to Gorampa's own words. Jose Cabezon's extended introduction provides a thorough overview of Tibetan polemical literature and contextualizes the life and work of Gorampa both historically and intellectually. Freedom from Extremes will be indispensable for serious students of Madhyamaka thought.
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- Q: What is the main topic of 'Freedom from Extremes'? A: The main topic of 'Freedom from Extremes' is the Buddhist concept of emptiness, explored through the philosophical views of the fifteenth-century Sakya scholar Gorampa Sonam Senge.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The book is translated and annotated by Jose Ignacio Cabezon, a leading scholar in Tibetan Buddhist philosophy.
- Q: What are the key features of this book? A: Key features include a critical edition of the Tibetan text, facing pages for direct access to Gorampa's words, and an extended introduction providing context on Tibetan polemical literature.
- Q: What is the binding type of 'Freedom from Extremes'? A: The book is available in a paperback binding.
- Q: How many pages does 'Freedom from Extremes' have? A: The book contains 432 pages.
- Q: When was this book published? A: Freedom from Extremes was published on March 1, 2007.
- Q: Is this book suitable for beginners in Buddhist philosophy? A: While the book is insightful, it is best suited for serious students of Madhyamaka thought and those with some background in Buddhist philosophy due to its complex discussions.
- Q: What is the condition of the book? A: The book is brand new.
- Q: Does this book provide historical context about Gorampa? A: Yes, the introduction by Jose Cabezon offers a thorough overview of Gorampa's life and work, placing it in both historical and intellectual contexts.
- Q: What makes Gorampa's view on emptiness significant? A: Gorampa's view is significant as it critiques the positions of Tsongkhapa and Dolpopa, presenting what he describes as the 'freedom from extremes,' which he argues represents the true middle way.