The Middle Way: Khenpo Choying Dorje

Practice-based Retreat with reference to Chandrakirti’s Madhyamakavatara, with guided meditations

This retreat will be based on the book, Introduction to The Middle Way (Madhyamakavatara), commentary by Jamgon Mipham. Compodsed by the renowned seventh-century Indian master, Chandrakirti, it is an extremely influential text of Mahayana Buddhism. Chandrakirti’s work is an introduction to the Madhyamika teachings of Nagarjuna, which are themselves a systematization of the Prajnaparamita, or “Perfection of Wisdom” literature, the sutras on the crucial but elusive concept of emptiness.

Chandrakirti’s work has been accepted throughout Tibetan Buddhism as the highest expression of the Buddhist view on the sutra level. With Jamgön Mipham’s commentary, it is a definitive presentation of the wisdom of emptiness, a central theme of Buddhist teachings. This book is a core study text for both academic students and practitioners of Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism.

About the Teacher:
Venerable Khenpo Choying Dorjee is a devoted student of the late Khen Rinpoche Kunga Wangchuk and Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche. He joined Dzongsar Institute (DKCL) in 1992 and was granted his Khenpo Degree in 2004, which is the equivalent to a PhD in Buddhism.
In 2011, Khyentse Rinpoche sent Khenpo as a visiting scholar to the University of California at Berkeley. He served as the Head Principal at DKCL from 2013 – 2016.
Khenpo is known for his fresh and engaging way of presenting Buddhist philosophy, inspiring many students. Since 2020, he has served on the executive committee of 84000, and is also on the advisory board of the Buddhist Digital Resource Center.