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The Madhyamakavatara Chandrakirti's Entering the Middle Way The fourth in a series of annual teachings on one of buddhism's key philosophical expositions with Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche Participants: please see study recommendations below.

The teaching Beyond speech, thought, and description: Prajnaparamita, Unborn and unending, like the essence of space- You are the scope of our own individual wisdom. I bow to you, mother of all buddhas, past, present, and future. From the Prajnaparamita Sutra Siddhartha's Intent--Western Door is pleased to announce the final installment of Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche's teaching on the Madhyamakavatara, August 9-13, 2006. Out of his measureless compassion, the Buddha taught us how to free ourselves from suffering. Although our true nature is wisdom, we ignore this innate pure nature and, out of ignorance, create our own painful universe of confused experiences--samsara. The Buddha taught that while all these experiences appear as solid due to a series of conditions, in reality they are empty of any true existence, like the empty appearances in a dream. The great masters Nagarjuna and Chandrakirti, made the Buddha's teachings on this emptiness nature accessible in their philosophy known as The Middle Way, or Madhyamika. While the ultimate goal of Madhyamika is to introduce us to a simplicity that then needs to be experienced, the study of Madhyamika is a provocative challenge of ideas, beliefs, and philosophies. Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche encourages a secular attitude in joining this session of studies. As before, the teaching will require concentrated study, but it will also be a delightful opportunity to challenge and exchange ideas as Rinpoche is known for his personal and humorous rapport with the audience.
Overview & Schedule		The Madhyamakavatara, Chandrakirti's Entering the Middle Way, is one of the key philosophical expositions of emptiness, and its study has been an essential part of Buddhist training in Tibet for many centuries. Though not very long, the text contains complex and subtle arguments in a condensed form. August 9-13, 2006 9AM-12:30PM Teachings 2PM-4PM Review Sessions No review session will be held on August 13, 2006. Rinpoche strongly recommends that students attend every class. We regret that we are unable to accommodate children during this program.
Study Materials		Introduction to the Middle Way: Chandrakirti's Madhyamakavatara with Commentary by Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche. Required. This 461 page text is based on Rinpoche's teachings in the Dordogne, France 1996-2000. Please remember to bring this text that was distributed by the Khyentse Foundation in June 2003. No replacement copy is available. The text is available in electronic format from The Khyentse Foundation. Introduction to the Middle Way: Chandrakirti's Madhyamakavatara translated by Padmakara Translation Group. Optional.
Venue		The teachings will take place at Seven Hills Conference Center, San Francisco State University, 800 Font Boulevard, San Francisco, CA 94132. Directions and campus maps are available from San Francisco State University.
Registration		Registration is required. The teaching is restricted to students who have attended at least one of the previous three years. Registration for students who have attended all three years is free. We urge you to complete registration early. It is best to register on-line. You may also print the Registration Form and send it to: Siddhartha's Intent--Western Door PO Box 2622 Aptos, CA 95001-2622 You will need Adobe Acrobat to view or print this form. Scholarship and work-study arrangements are available. The final date to apply for scholarship or work-study is May 1, 2006. Please send an email explaining the financial need to , placing "SCHOLARSHIP AND WORK STUDY" in the subject line. If you have any questions about registration, please e-mail
Accommodations		Registration for on-site accommodations is closed. You can try the bulletin board to find a place to stay with local sangha. For those who live in the San Francisco Bay area: Because many students travel from far away to receive teachings, Rinpoche has requested that Bay Area sangha members host other attendees. If you are able to do so, please email . You can also post a message on the bulletin board.
Cancellation Policy		A $25 fee will apply to all cancellations. We will be unable to issue tuition refunds after August 1st.

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