Middle Beyond Extremes contains a translation of the Buddhist masterpiece Distinguishing the Middle from Extremes. This famed text, often referred to by its Sanskrit title, Madhyantavibhaga, is part of a collection known as the Five Maitreya Teachings. Maitreya, the Buddha's regent, is held to have entrusted these profound and vast instructions to the master Asanga in the heavenly realm of Tushita.

Unraveling the subtle processes that condition our thinking and experience, Maitreya's teaching reveals a powerful path of compassionate vision and spiritual transformation. This classic of Indian Buddhism is here presented alongside commentaries by two outstanding masters of Tibet's non-sectarian Rimé movement, Khenpo Shenga and Ju Mipham.

Middle Beyond Extremes: Maitreya's Madhyantavibhanga with Commentaries by Khenpo Shenga and Ju Mipham Hardcover, Dharmachakra Translation Committe, Snow Lion Publications, Hardcover, Jan. 2007, 192 Pages, $22.95

Maitreya and Asanga (fl. 4th century C.E.) are the progenitors of the Approach of Vast Activity, one of the two great currents of Mahayana view and practice.  Their works have achieved the status of unique spiritual classics. Throughout the centuries, they have continued to guide and inspire some of Buddhism's most brilliant minds.

Khenpo Shenga (1871-1927) contributed tremendously to the nonsectarian Rime movement in Tibet. His commentaries on the classic Indian Buddhist treatises have become the core curriculum in numerous monastic colleges throughout Tibet and South Asia.

Ju Mipham (1846-1912) displayed a universal genius as he wrote on all aspects of Buddhist theory and practice, as well as on the traditional sciences. He has emerged as one of the most influential figures to come out of the Tibetan tradition in recent centuries.

The Dharmachakra Translation Commitee draws its inspiration from the vision, commitment, and magnificent achievements of past Buddhist translators. Directed by Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, the Committee is dedicated to making Buddhist classics available to modern readers in their native languages.

	Contents:  Middle Beyond Extremes
	Foreword by Trulshik Rinpoche	9
	Foreword by Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche	11
	Introduction	13
	Distinguishing The Middle from Extremes	19
	Chapter One - The Characteristics	25
	The Characteristics of Thorough Affliction	25
	The Characteristics of Complete Purification	36
	Chapter Two - The Obscurations	47
	General Presentation	47
	Detailed Expalnation	49
	Obscurations That Prevent Liberation	49
	Obscurations That Inhibit the Ten Qualities	51
	Obscurations That Inhibit the Three Remedies	59
	Summary	67
	Chapter Three - Reality	69
	Brief Presentation	69
	Detailed Explanation	70
	The Reality of the Three Essential Natures	70
	The Eight Principles	73
	The Ten Topics of Knowledge	84
	Chapter Four - The Path of Practice	103
	The Thirty-seven Factors of Enlightenment	103
	Phases of the Path	115
	Results of the Path	119
	Chapter Five - The Unsurpassable Vehicle	123
	Unsurpassable Practice	124
	The Eminent Practice	124
	Directing the Mind	129
	Concordant Factors	133
	Eliminating Dualistic Extremes	148
	The Specific and the General	154
	Unsurpassable Observation	155
	Unsurpassable True Accomplishment	157
	Conclusion	161
	Visual Representation of Ju Mipham's Outline	166
	Appendix: Ju Mipham's Topical Outline of Distinguishing the Middle from Extremes	167
	Notes	173
	English-Tibetan Glossary	179
	Tibetan-English-Sanskrit Glossary	189
	Bibliography	203
	Index	207