Emptiness, Luminosity and Compassion – Nāgārjuna and the Madhyamaka Tradition.

In this course, John D. Dunne and Khenpo Pema Namgyal explore the profound teachings of Madhyamaka, the Middle Way tradition founded by the Indian philosopher Nāgārjuna. Through classical analyses of causation, parts and wholes, and the nature of the self, the teachings reveal how all phenomena arise through interdependence and therefore lack intrinsic existence. John Dunne presents Madhyamaka reasoning in dialogue with contemporary philosophy and cognitive science, while Khenpo Pema Namgyal introduces the traditional Tibetan approach rooted in textual study and contemplative insight. The course also briefly draws connections to modern science, including a session explaining the famous double-slit experiment from quantum physics. Together, these teachings illuminate how the realization of emptiness gives rise to the luminosity of mind and the compassion of the bodhisattva path.

Since the arguments and explanations build progressively from session to session, we recommend watching the teachings in the order presented. Approach the material with an open mind, but also with a spirit of careful inquiry—questioning, reflecting, and examining the reasoning for yourself. If needed, pause and revisit sections so that the arguments can be fully understood before moving on, as each session builds upon the insights developed in the previous ones.

With this approach in mind, we invite you to begin with the first session of Day1, where the foundations of Madhyamaka are introduced and the inquiry into emptiness begins.