Wednesday, April 1, 2026 · 天火 · tianmu.org
Aryadeva
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Texts
Commentary on the Measure of the Hand — AryadevaĀryadeva's prose autocommentary on the Hastavāla — the rope-snake analogy extended into a complete Madhyamaka argument. Each verse is quoted and explained: from the snake-in-the-rope, through mereological analysis, to the dissolution of atoms, the refutation of the illusory-person analogy, and the practical liberation from afflictions. First freely available English translation from the Tibetan (Tengyur D3849).Commentary on the Treatise on Parts — AryadevaĀryadeva's prose commentary on his own Treatise on Parts (D3844) — the complete mereological argument from rope-snake to atoms, with the directional argument against partless atoms and the refutation of the illusion analogy. Translated into Tibetan by the great lotsāwa Rinchen Zangpo. First freely available English translation from the Tibetan (Tengyur D3845).Compendium of the Essence of Wisdom — AryadevaA compact philosophical survey of all Indian schools — non-Buddhist and Buddhist — culminating in the Madhyamaka freedom from the four extremes. Attributed to Āryadeva, from the Tengyur (Toh 3851). First English translation.Establishing Rational Reasons for Refuting Errors — AryadevaA systematic dismantling of non-Buddhist philosophical errors — materialism, theism, eternalism, fatalism — by Āryadeva, Nāgārjuna's chief disciple. Each wrong view is presented in its own voice, then refuted with Buddhist logic. Concludes with the twelve links of dependent origination as the path from delusion to liberation. First free English translation.The Middle Way — Destroyer of Error — AryadevaĀryadeva's proof through three analogies — cataracts, dream, and darkness — that 'not-seeing is seeing suchness.' Translated into Tibetan by Atiśa at Nalanda. First-ever English translation from Tibetan (Tengyur D3850).The Treatise on Parts — AryadevaA concise Madhyamaka treatise by Āryadeva on the analysis of parts — beginning with the famous rope-snake analogy and building to the conclusion that all entities, when analyzed into their constituents, dissolve into mere construction. Seven verses. Translated into Tibetan by Rinchen Zangpo. First freely available English translation from the Tibetan (Tengyur D3844).