Shantarakshita, also known as Khenpo Bodhisattva, was the abbot of Indias Buddhist Nalanda University in the eighth century, where he united the Madhyamika and Yogachara schools of thought. He went to Tibet at the invitation of King Trisong Detsen, founded the temple of Samye and established the first monastic tradition. After a time his teachings were all but lost for many generations. In the nineteenth century Ju Mipham, at the request of his teacher, Jamyang Kyentse Wangpo, wrote the commentary for the Ornament of the Middle Way. Thrangu Rinpoche notes that this teaching proves through logic why all the appearances we see are mind, and why the essence of mind is naturally empty. This teaching helps generate deep certainty that can benefit those who meditate on Mahamudra and Dzogchen and when receiving the oral instructions of pointing out the nature of the mind. Rinpoche received the transmission for this teaching from a student of Mipham Rinpoche himself. Thus this teaching comes to the present day via a short and direct lineage. Translated by David Karma Choephel. Thirteen talks on seven DVDs.

Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche is a renowned Tibetan Buddhist master known for his deep compassion and the clarity of his teachings. He was selected by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to serve as the principal tutor to His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, Oryen Trinley Dorje. Thrangu Rinpoche is a full holder and teacher of the Kagyu Vajrayana lineages. He founded the Namo Buddha retreat center in Nepal, has established two shedras (monastic universities) in Nepal and India, and serves as Abbot of Gampo Abbey in Nova Scotia. He also built Tara Abbey, where nuns receive a full dharma education qualifying them to become khenpos or teachers. Thrangu Rinpoche teaches entensively throughout Asia, Europe and the United States. He has centers in Maine and California, and is building the Vajra Vidya Retreat Center in Crestone, Colorado.