Unraveling the subtle processes that condition our thinking and experience, Maitreya's teaching reveals a powerful path of compassionate vision and spiritual transformation.

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 is held to have entrusted these profound and vast instructions to the master Asanga in the heavenly realm of Tusita.

Distinguishing the Middle from Extremes employs the principle of the three natures to explain the way things seem to be as well as the way they actually are. It is presented here alongside commentaries by two outstanding masters of Tibet's nonsectarian Rime movement, Khenpo Shenga and Ju Mipham.

Middle Beyond Extremes: Maitreya's Madhyantavibhaga with Commentaries by Khenpo Shenga and Ju Mipham, Arya Maitreya, Khenpo Shenga, and Ju Mipham, Snow Lion Publications, Paperback, 192 pp, $22.95

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 is one of the most influential figures to come out of the Tibetan tradition in recent centuries.

THE DHARMACHAKRA TRANSLATION COMMITTEE 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: Maitreya's Madhyantavibhaga
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 Explanation		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