Among the many works produced in the rich philosophical tradition of India's classical age, few have had more impact than Dharmakirti's Commentary on Valid Cognition (Pramanavarttika). Composed in India in the seventh century, it became the cornerstone for the study of logic and epistemology in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.

This work translated here is by one of the premier scholars of the Sakya school, Gorampa Sonam Senge (1429 - 89). It illuminates the first two chapters of Dharmakirti's work, those on using inference to enlighten oneself (svarthanumana) and on establishing valid cognition (pramanasiddhi) both to determine the authority of the Buddha as a valid teacher and to eliminate the cognitive obstacles to awakening. The root text is composed in compact verses, and these are translated here along with Gorampa's word-by-word commentary that reveals their often veiled meanings. These chapters explore key issues in the philosophy of language and the nature of conventional designation, the way to employ sound reasoning, the proof of past and future lives, and the way to eliminate the view of self. In the skilled hands of translator Gavin Kilty, these insights are made accessible.

Light of Samantabhadra is the first volume in new academic series from Wisdom and the Khenpo Appey Foundation. The Khenpo Appey Collection of Sakya Classics aspires to fulfill Khenchen Appey Rinpoche's vision of making important and authoritative Sakya works accessible to English-speaking audiences. This series, conceived by the Khenpo Appey Foundation and published by Wisdom Publications, will contain translations of texts central to Tibetan Buddhist study composed by influential Sakya masters to provide a holistic and comprehensive presentation of Buddhist thought and philosophy.

Light of Samantabhadra: An Explanation of Dharmakirti's Commentary on Valid Cognition, Gorampa Sonam Senge, Wisdom Publications, Hardcover, 510 pages, $59.95

Gavin Kilty (translator) has been a full-time translator for the Institute of Tibetan Classics since 2001. Before that he lived in Dharamsala, India, for fourteen years, where he spent eight years training in the traditional Geluk monastic curriculum through the medium of class and debate at the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics. He has also received commissions to translate for other institutions, such as the Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Teachings, Tibet House Germany, The Gelug International Foundation, and Tsadra Foundation.

His Holiness Khondung Ratna Vajra Rinpoche, the 42nd Sakya Trizin, the eldest son of His Holiness the 41st Sakya Trizin, is considered one of the most highly qualified lineage masters of Tibetan Buddhism. Renowned for his erudition and the clarity of his teachings, Rinpoche belongs to the prestigious Sakya Khon family, whose successive generations have provided an unbroken lineage of outstanding masters. From birth, His Holiness was the recipient of countless blessings, empowerments, and teachings from His Holiness the 41st Sakya Trizin as well as many other learned and accomplished masters, including His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and His Eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche. In March 2017, Ratna Vajra Rinpoche became the leader of Sakya tradition, and he has since continued to guide and inspire Dharma students from around the world.