Nagarjuna’s Letter to King Gautamiputra

“This book is an important addition to the literature about Buddhism ….. It’s a valuable addition to the literature on Buddhism. –A.M. Ghose (The Hindustan Times 7 Oct. 1979. “The English translation of the Tibetan text is included in the present work. However, the notes are based on Tibetan commentaries and the original Tibetan text in calligraphy. This book is a valuable addition to our knowledge of Mahayana Buddhism. – –S.S.S.S. Mail, Madras August 5, 1979. ”The current edition is a compilation translations but not directly from original text. It is based upon three Tibetan commentaries on this text, which are ably supplemented with a detailed discussion. The English verses are followed by explanatory notes that make the text more precise, and the philosophy of Nagarjuna simpler. – –Savitri Subrahmanyam (The Tribune, June 30, 1979).
Nagarjuna’s letter addressed to King Gautamiputra provides a concise, comprehensive explanation of both the Buddha’s teachings and the Buddhist path to liberation. The famous sage Nagarjuna wrote the letter to Gautamiputra, his friend and patron in south India. It contains one hundred twenty-three verses and gained great popularity in India as well as Tibet. The original sanskrit text of the work has been lost. However, the English translation was made using the Tibetan collection. The text has been supplemented with explanation notes that are based on three Tibetan commentaries. Students and scholars who want to consult the Tibetan text of Nagarjuna’s letters will find the Tibetan translation of the verses in the Tibetan text.