Fridays, 6:00 – 7:00 PM, PT (October 23 – December 11, 2026)
Online & In-Person at the Nyingma Institute
The Mūlamadhyamakakārikā (MMK), composed by the great Indian Buddhist philosopher Nāgārjuna, is a foundational text of the Madhyamaka tradition and one of the most influential philosophical works of Mahāyāna Buddhism.
Its central subject is śūnyatā—emptiness. Emptiness does not mean that nothing exists or that life is meaningless. Rather, it points to the fact that all phenomena are empty of inherent, independent existence. Through profound reasoning, Nāgārjuna examines how we understand reality and challenges our deeply held assumptions about the self, things, causes, time, and existence.
In this course, we will explore the Mūlamadhyamakakārikā chapter by chapter, covering:
– Causation and how things arise
– Motion and change
– The self and the aggregates
– Time and existence
– The nature of the Buddha
– Nirvāṇa and liberation
– The meaning of emptiness
– The Middle Way beyond the extremes of existence and non-existence
Our study will go beyond philosophical discussion. After reading and discussing each chapter, we will take time to reflect and meditate on its meaning, allowing Nāgārjuna’s teachings to be investigated and experienced directly. Through this process, we will explore how understanding emptiness and dependent arising can transform the way we see ourselves, others, and the world around us.
This course is open to everyone, whether you are new to Buddhist philosophy or already familiar with the Madhyamaka tradition. If you are interested in exploring the profound meaning of emptiness, dependent arising, and the Middle Way, you are warmly invited to join.
Instructor: Khenpo Kalsang.
Cost: $120
