Wisdom Dharma Chat | Thupten Jinpa

In this Wisdom Dharma Chat, host Daniel Aitken is joined by Thupten Jinpa, educated in the classical Tibetan monastic academia and Geshe Lharam (equivalent to a doctorate in divinity). Jinpa also holds a BA in philosophy and a PhD in religious studies, both from the University of Cambridge, England. Since 1985, he has been the principal translator to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

This engaging Dharma Chat includes details about the upcoming Wisdom Academy online course, Tsongkhapa’s Madhyamaka, and further courses in the broader program Jinpa will teach on the Wisdom Academy.

References Mentioned in Chat

At the start of the conversation, Jinpa mentions several texts and translations. They can predominantly be found in the Library of Tibetan Classics series and the Science and Philosophy in the Indian Buddhist Classics series.

In answer to Jinpa’s question about Tsongkhapa’s five great Mādhyamaka treatises, he lists:

1. Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path, Vol.III, Tsongkhapa (Ithaca: Snow Lion Publications, 2002)

2. The Central Philosophy of Tibet, Robert Thurman (Princeton University Press, 1984)

3. Ocean of Reasoning, Tsongkhapa, translated by Geshe Ngawang Samten and Jay Garfield (Oxford University Press, 2006)

4. Illuminating the Intent, Tsongkhapa, Thupten Jinpa (Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2021)

5. Middle–Length Treatise on the Stages of the Path, Tsongkhapa (Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2021)

Jinpa responded to a question about prerequisites for the online course, stating that there were none but if someone wanted introductory materials he recommended reading either Essence of the Heart Sutra or The Middle Way by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Jinpa and Daniel also discuss Jinpa’s new translation of the Stages of the Path and the Oral Transmission; click the link to register to be notified when it becomes available.

During the Wisdom News segment, Daniel mentioned the upcoming free conference Dharma in Daily Life conference, and Ligmincha International s‘ upcoming retreat and dialogues, The Five Element Retreat and Serenity Ridge Dialogues. You can register to attend in two ways:
1. Online over Zoom
2. In-person or commuter