Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way: Nagarjuna's Mulamadhyamakakarika

Gudo Nishijima explains the Buddhist "philosophy" with such clarity and simplicity that it makes me never want to pick up another version of The MMK again. I've been waiting for this day for two years!I've always liked Gudo Nishijima's interpretation of Buddhist thought (check out his amazing blog [...]) and it didn't fail here. It's always made the most sense to me.When I say easily understandable I don't mean a dumbed down version but rather a more complete version. One that encompasses greater aspects and depth of Buddhist Thought.If you look into it you realize why. this guy has devoted over 70 years of his life to the practice. If I'm going to read anyone's version of the MMK again it's going to be Nishijima's. Brad Warner, he's alright too. I enjoy his elaborations.Easily Five Stars. I'm forever grateful to both of them.

Nagarjuna's MMK is dense and points to a reality that defies word description. As Nagarjuna points out, all word descriptions can't help but be maps and never the road so MMK is just a pointer to the reality before us. NIshijima and Werner have produced a modern English interpretation and representation of Nagarjuna's MMK that is capable of reaching the modern mind directily, trying as best as they can to avoid the pitfalls of stimulating the intellect and only our reason. I suspect that no one interpretation of MMK is going to present a representation that our understanding can grasp in a single pass through. So acknowledge from the start of your delve into MMK, that it will take several passes through any interpretation and a lot of time on the cushion to allow Nagarjuna's words to permeate into you and saturate you to understanding.Nishijima and Werner have produced a worthy place to start to delve into MMK.A bow to both their efforts in producing this work.

I just got this book about a week ago, and to me the lay out is excellent. Brad Warner helped to edit the book, so as to correct some of Nishijima's english. The Harsh reviews of this book are silly. Please keep in mind the translators of this book practice zazen everyday, and one of them is in his 90's, needless to say they are dedicated zen buddhist. The depth of understanding these two men have is incredible, this means their insight into the text should be considered. I feel this book will be of value to any serious zen practitioner. Please save your negative one star reviews for some other trash books, like "Eat Pray Love" or some Deepak Chopra instant enlightenment crap.

Still: Nagarjuna's writings are head-and-shoulders one of the most important works in Buddhist literature. For the novice, I would recommend the Lankavatra and/or the Surangama Sutras as pre-requisites to tackling the "Mulamadhyamakakarika". Also, readers need to understand that some of the statements made are actually rebuttals from opponents of Nagarjuna, followed by Nagarjuna's replies or rebuttals; this is not made very clear n the translation, thus leading to confusion during study.

Buying this book was a complete waste of money. I was hoping to deepen my understanding of Nagarjuna's philosophy, but this book has nothing to do with it... It doesn’t deserve any stars, but I had to give it at least one in order to submit the review.

Probably the only translation so far that actually convey the essence of the original teachings in a way which makes it available to everyone. Do not trust the one star reviewers who campaign to discredit this genuine effort to strengthen our understandng of this part of the Buddhist canon.

A computer- less friend liked this book so much he asked me to order one for another friend -- must be then because he is a reader.

A most welcome translation of a key Buddhist poem by a true scholar and dedicated Zen Master, Gudo Nishijima, and Brad Warner whose books and blog are outstanding in helping to explain Buddhism rationally to a modern audience.