Madhyamakāvatāra — Entering the Middle Way

Exposition of the Madhyamakāvatāra

Context

Entering the Middle Way (Madhyamakāvatāra) is the most systematic and important treatise in the Tibetan Madhyamaka school, composed by the profound Buddhist scholar Candrakīrti (seventh century) on the philosophical foundation of Nāgārjuna. This treatise is not only an explanation of the Root Verses on the Middle Way (Mūlamadhyamakakārikā), but also an independent guide for entering the gate of wisdom born from equality, also called emptiness of self-nature (śūnyatā).

In the Northern Tibetan tradition, especially in the Gelug, Kagyu, and Nyingma schools, Entering the Middle Way is regarded as the clearest classic on the Middle Way, the path that avoids the two extremes of eternalism and nihilism. This work is a bridge between sublime Buddhist philosophy and Tibetan practice.

Main Contents

Entering the Middle Way systematizes the position of the Prāsaṅgika Madhyamaka school, the most rigorous and comprehensive position within Madhyamaka. The treatise affirms that all phenomena have no independent nature (prakṛti), are not born from themselves, are not born from another entity, are not born from both, and are not born from an uncaused agent. The conclusion is that all dharmas are without self-nature; all are empty.

Candrakīrti makes clear that emptiness is not something existent that we can "seek" or "realize" in the ordinary way. Instead, we must arouse the wisdom of dependent origination in order to see through the fact that every concept of self-nature is delusive. This treatise meticulously analyzes how phenomena arise and exist through dependent origination (pratītyasamutpāda), thereby pointing out that the absence of self-nature is precisely true nature.

In particular, Candrakīrti emphasizes the role of the bodhisattva, the practitioner who has realized emptiness of self-nature yet still acts for the benefit of sentient beings.