The Essence of Zhentong

Composed by the Jonang scholar Taranatha (1575-1635), the “Essence of Zhentong” (“Essence of Shentong;” other-emptiness) offers a succinct presentation of both non-Buddhist and Buddhist philosophical systems, culminating in a discussion on the significance of Madhyamaka in general and the Great Madhyamaka tradition more specifically. A clear and precise introduction to “zhentong” as a view and system, the “Essence of Zhentong” is a classic reading drawn from the repository of Jonang philosophical literature.

*This work is provided courtesy of the Ngedon Thartuk Translation Initiative.

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