Knowledge — Root of the Middle Way I (Self-Study)
(Mūlamadhyamakakārikā I (Self-Study))

Knowledge—Root of the Middle Way (Mūlamadhyamakakārikā) I
Self-Study Syllabus

Knowledge—Root of the Middle Way (Mūlamadhyamakakārikā) is Nāgārjuna’s seminal work on Madhyamaka philosophy. Nāgārjuna, the founder of the Madhyamaka school, uses this text to refute the views of those who claim there is anything at all that can be said to be truly real. Specifically, he refutes those who subscribe to the views of the other Indian schools of his day, and also those among his fellow Buddhists who subscribe to a view that there is ultimately something real. Generally speaking, we can count ourselves among those whom he refutes, and through study of this text we can challenge ourselves to take his reasoned arguments to heart, and to question our fixed thinking about the world.

This text is taught over the span of two semesters. The course offered during the Fall semester covers the first half of the text and the second half of the text is taught during the Spring semester. This course is available in four formats: Self-Study, Self-Study Plus, Interactive, and For-Credit. The For-Credit course earns 6 academic credits.

The course is taught by Khenpo Jampa Donden, a Tibetan Khenpo (Professor) at Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling monastery, and translated into English by Catherine Dalton, a Translator and Lecturer at the Rangjung Yeshe Institute Centre for Buddhist Studies. Supplementary materials were created by Mort Ostensen, an Online Instructor at RYI/CBS.

The Self-Study courses are available year-round and students work at their own pace. Online students in the Interactive courses progress through the online course materials together with a Moderator. A trial week of class is available on the site for viewing by anyone, by simply using the "Login as a guest" button. Please click here to try out the trial week of class.