Introduction to the Middle Way

Lopön Sonam Jamtsho will offer a weekly study course on the Introduction to the Middle Way.

The course begins on 25th April 2026 and will be held on Saturday mornings from 8 to 9:30 AM CEST for approximately five months.

Course Content

This work by Chandrakīrti is one of the most celebrated treatises on the Madhyamaka school. The text presents the ground, path, and fruition of the Mahāyāna Buddhist path from a Madhyamaka perspective. It traces the career of the Bodhisattva from the moment of arousing bodhicitta, through the ten stages, and culminating in the three bodies and wisdom of Buddhahood.

Within it, profound philosophical views and vast bodhisattva conduct are woven together seamlessly. The twin paths of wisdom and compassion unfold across the ten bodhisattva stages. Wisdom is encountered in the sixth chapter through an introduction to the view of emptiness — the non-essentiality of the person and the emptiness of phenomena — drawing on the Prajñāpāramitā sūtras and the works of the noble Nāgārjuna. The vast conduct is presented in terms of the bodhisattva’s practices, similarly rooted in Buddhist sūtra literature and the works of Nāgārjuna.

Since its translation into Tibetan more than 900 years ago, its influence in the Land of Snows has been unparalleled. It remains a cornerstone of the curriculum in the monastic colleges of Tibetan Buddhism to this day. 

Our Facilitator

Sonam Jamtsho comes from a semi-nomadic family in Bumthang, Bhutan. He dedicated more than a decade to intensive study, culminating in his graduation from Dzongsar Shedra in India. 

Sonam will offer rich and detailed commentary, drawing out the insights and practical relevance of the teachings encountered in the text. He will refer to the book ‘Introduction to the Middle Way (Chandrakirti’s Madhyamakavatara with commentary by Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche)‘. It can be downloaded from the Siddhartha’s Intent’s website via this link. Time will be set aside for discussion.

Registration

Please send your registration request to [email protected].

Venue

The course will be conducted online via Zoom. The link will be provided upon registration. Sessions will be recorded and made available on Google Drive for catch-up or review.