In this book the Dalai Lama presents a brief, brilliant presentation of the view of reality in the Mahayana tradition of Buddhism. This view is the basis of the Dalai Lama's compassion, this is what makes compassion real and brings it to life. Although it is a book of teachings on the Buddhist view the Dalai Lama teaches it in a way that can bring this profound outlook on life to any interested reader.The Middle Way is synonymous with the Buddhist path. In order to put the wisdom of Buddhism into practice blind faith is not a requirement, Buddhism is based on confidence established by reason in the way things really are, faith and reason have a symbiotic relationship.In this book the Dalai Lama links Tibetan Buddhism to its deep roots in the ancient Indian scholastic tradition of Nalanda monastic university and to the profound teachings of the seminal Indian master Nagarjuna. As the Dalai Lama explores in depth Nagarjuna's famous work Fundamental Stanzas on the Middle Way (Mulamadhyamakakarika)- a text of radical importance to the whole of the Mahayana tradition - he illuminates such subtle and easily misunderstood topics as the nature of self and no-self, dependent origination, and the differeing roles of relative and ultimate truths. This volume also includes a succinct but rich exploration of Lama Tsong Khapa's Three Principal Aspects of the Path, offering the reader an opportunity to put these matters of deepest philosophical import into direct practice."It is vital for us to obtain genuine confidence in the nature of mind and reality, grounded in understanding and reason. What we need is a sceptical curiosity and constant inquiry, our mind moving between the possibilities, genuinely wondering whether it is thus or some other way. We need to begin our analysis as objectively as possible. We should cultivate a curious mind, drawn toward all possibilities; and when we cultivate that, the desire to deeply investigate naturally arises." The Dalai Lama.
