The Buddhist masterpiece Distinguishing Phenomena from Their Intrinsic Nature, often referred to by its Sanskrit title, Dharmadharmatavibhanga, is part of a collection known as the Five Maitreya Teachings, a set of philosophical works that have become classics of the Indian Buddhist tradition. Maitreya, the Buddhas regent, is held to have entrusted these profound and vast instructions to the master Asanga in the heavenly realm of Tushita. Outlining the difference between appearance and reality, this work shows that the path to awakening involves leaving behind the inaccurate and limiting beliefs we have about ourselves and the world around us and opening ourselves to the limitless potential of our true nature. By divesting the mind of confusion, the treatise explains, we see things as they actually are. This insight allows for the natural unfolding of compassion and wisdom. This volume includes commentaries by Khenpo Shenga and Ju Mipham, whose discussions illuminate the subtleties of the root text and provide valuable insight into the nature of reality and the process of awakening.

Distinguishing Phenomena from Their Intrinsic Nature: Maitreya's Dharmadharmatavibhaga with Commentaries by Khenpo Shenga and Ju Mipham, Snow Lion Publications, Paperback, 112 pp, $18.95

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.

CONTENTS: Distinguishing Phenomena from Their Intrinsic Nature
	Foreword	vii
	Introduction	ix
DISTINGUISHING PHENOMENA FROM THEIR INTRINSIC NATURE		1
	The Title	6
	The Translator's Homage	7
	The Meaning of the Scripture	7
	The Essence of Cyclic Existence and the Transcendence of Suffering	8
	The Characteristics of Phenomena	10
	The Characteristics of Their Intrinsic Nature	11
	The Underlying Rationale for These Characteristics	12
	Are Phenomena and Their Intrinsic Nature the Same or Different?	14
	The Two Abodes	17
	The Nonexistence of Apprehended and Apprehender	21
	An Extensive Explanation of the Intrinsic Nature	28
	Conclusion	66
	Appendix: Ju Mipham's Topical Outline of Distinguishing Phenomena from Their Intrinsic Nature	71
	Notes	75
	English-Tibetan Glossary	77
	Tibetan-English-Sanskrit Glossary	83
	Bibliography	93
	Index	95