Shedra 2008

Nagarjuna's Root Stanzas on the Middle Way
September Weekends
Phuntsok Choling
Ward, CO

Everything that arises interdependently

Is unceasing and unborn,

Neither non-existent nor everlasting,

Neither coming nor going,

Neither multiple nor single,

To this teaching that pacifies all complexity,

The most sacred speech of the perfect Buddha,

I pay homage!

-- from Nagarjuna’s Root Stanzas on the Middle Way

During this year’s shedra, Rinpoche will transmit and provide an in-depth commentary on “The Root Stanzas on the Middle Way,” Nagarjuna’s Mulamadhyamaka-karikas. Nagarjuna, born four hundred years after the death of Buddha Shakyamuni, was the founder of the Madhyamika, or “Middle Way” school, which essentializes the Buddha’s Prajnaparamita (transcendent wisdom) teachings.

In his masterpiece, the “Root Stanzas,” Nagarjuna lays the foundations for his system, which is not so much a philosophy as a way of exposing the inadequacy of all conceptual views.

In his presentation of classical Buddhist texts, Rinpoche is known for combining his deep scholarly knowledge, his ability to communicate subtle meaning, and his skill in connecting what may seem obscure to the day-to-day life and practice of his audience.

A shedra is a traditional monastic college of higher learning, with a course of study lasting from ten to thirteen years. Unlike most general Dharma programs, the Shedra program presents the teachings in much greater depth, using traditional textual structure, terminology and logic. Debate practice, along with Q&A with Rinpoche, are employed to sharpen students' knowledge. Although anyone may attend the Shedra teachings without previous study, we highly recommend familiarity with the texts already covered, as this is a comprehensive thirteen-year degree-level training.

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