Gateway to Knowledge, Volume I: A Condensation of the Tripitaka

by Jamgon Rinpoche, Mipham Rinpoche, Erik Pema Kunsang (Translator)

The Gateway to Knowledge is a condensation
of the Tripitaka and its accompanying commentaries. Consolidating the intent of
Buddha Shakyamuni’s teachings into a unified body of textbooks, it is the philosophical backbone of the living tradition
of Tibetan Buddhism. This rich source book embodies the basics of Prajnaparamita
and Madhyamika as well as Abhidharma from both the Mahayana
and Hinayana perspectives. Every volume in this series includes the Tibetan text and the English translation on facing pages.
“The Tibetan master, Jamgon Mipham Rinpoche (1846-1912) is an exceptional
treasure of wisdom, compassion and scholarship. His accomplishments in practice,
learning, composition and teaching are immense.
The student of The Gateway to Knowledge can begin to comprehend the meaning
of the major works on Buddhist philosophy and of the traditional sciences. When
you want to extract their meaning you need an “expert system,” a key. The Gateway to Knowledge is like that key, a magical key – it opens up the treasury of precious gemstones in the expansive collection of Buddhist scriptures. “
— Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche

Genres: Religion, Philosophy, Buddhism

160 pages, Paperback

First published May 24, 2004

Reviews

[C. Varn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jamgon Mipham Rinpoche's 19th-century Ri-me condescension of the Tibetan Buddhist understanding of the Tripitaka (or the agamas). This actually does interweave Prajnaparamita and Madhyamika as well as Abhidharma. It is admittedly a little dry at points, particularly the chapters on the aggregates and elements, but it is clarifying to the Vajrayana perspective and embodies the spirit of Ri-me (non-sectarianism) in the Tibetan tradition. Includes the original Tibetan text with translation beside.

[Sammy]

hmmmmm if you want to know how many breath counts make up a lunar month, this is the book for you.

[Joseph Wickland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dense. Not particularly practical but a good text

[mercy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the Gateway to Knowledge is a summary of the Tripitaka, it is not suited as a first text. For beginners, this text is best approached with a teacher.

For those already familiar with the teachings and style of the Abhidharma tradition, this text is an excellent assistant for reviewing and concisely systematizing its essence from the perspective of the Nyingma Sutrayana doctrine.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great collection, but incredibly dense and distilled. It starts to read like a list at points, which becomes difficult to focus on. Otherwise, as one reviewer describes it, it is like a key to central concepts and language to return to as you learn from other sources.

[Mark]

Tibetan Buddhism philosophy is very intriguing. Only half way through, but a good read if your into ancient philosophy and teachings...