Skip to Main Content

Mipham's Sword of Wisdom

The Nyingma Approach to Valid Cognition

Published by Wisdom Publications
Distributed by Simon & Schuster

About The Book

Presents the Nyingma-lineage understanding of valid cognition in Buddhism. Its core subject is the Buddhist view of the two truths—the relative truth of conventional appearances and the absolute truth of emptiness and buddha nature—and how the two truths are inseparable. The main questions posed are: How can we know the two truths and how can we be certain that our knowledge is accurate?

“The great scholar and advanced spiritual master Jamgon Mipham’s Sword of Wisdom is a classic work that explicates valid cognition. I am happy to see it now available in English with commentary and scholarly appendices that will be very helpful for serious students in understanding this profound and important text.”—His Holiness the Sakya Trichen

Mipham’s Sword of Wisdom explores the Nyingma-lineage understanding of valid cognition in Vajrayana Buddhism. This translation, a clear and concise primer on higher realization through valid cognition in Buddhist philosophy, presents these ideas in English for the very first time and includes the sutra presentation of the two truths and the tantra teachings of the two truths as the purity and equality of all phenomena.

When you’ve finished Mipham’s Sword of Wisdom, you’ll have
  • rich insights into Nyingma teachings on valid cognition,
  • a profound new understanding of the two truths and their inseparability,
  • a solid foundation in valid cognition through direct perception and reasoning according to the traditional Indian treatises of Dharmakirti and Dignaga,
  • and much more.

About The Author

Product Details

  • Publisher: Wisdom Publications (June 26, 2018)
  • Length: 312 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781614294405

Browse Related Books

Raves and Reviews

"I am delighted with this translation of Mipham Rinpoche's Sword of Wisdom. Personally, this text has helped me so much in understanding the system of basic logic and reasoning that elucidates the profound meaning of the two truths. It is a true gem for beginners and learned alike. Time and time again, it can serve as an invaluable resource to refine and deepen one's knowledge of all schools of the Buddhadharma."

– Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche

"Mipham's Sword of Wisdom is the essence of the Dharma itself! Khenchen Palden Sherab was a true lineage holder and scholar, a compassionate and humble man whose work can be trusted to be in perfect accord with the teachings of all the lineage masters, so we can rely on his teachings with absolute confidence. This text contains the power, blessing, and kindness of the incomparable Mipham Rinpoche, so it is like the very soul and heart of Manjushri himself! It is my heartfelt prayer that everyone read this text and take these teachings purely and honestly into their hearts."

– Ven. Gyatrul Rinpoche

"I am very pleased that this seminal text by the first Mipham has been translated and made available in English. This book presents direct perception and reasoning as the most valid way to know reality, starting with the truth of cause and effect and extending to the realization of nondual wisdom."

– Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche

“Although we think we have understood emptiness as the ultimate teaching of the sutras and tantras, we haven’t really delved into the depths of its meaning and still continue to see things with ordinary perception and are unable to rest freely in the ultimate true nature. Mipham provides the tools for us to actualize the supreme timeless awareness and become naturally liberated and boundlessly compassionate, which is the final result of our practice.”

– His Holiness Shenpen Dawa Norbu Rinpoche

“The great scholar and advanced spiritual master Jamgon Mipham’s Sword of Wisdom is a classic work that explicates valid cognition. I am happy to see it now available in English with commentary and scholarly appendixes that will be very helpful for serious students in understanding this profound and important text.”

– His Holiness the Sakya Trichen

“I have found it to be extremely well written and with great blessings. I am reminded constantly of Khenchen Rinpoche's teachings and his kindness, and I found boundless joy in this sublime work.”

– Khenpo Tsewang Gyatso

Resources and Downloads

High Resolution Images