In the Buddha Maitreya's Differentiating the Middle from the Extremes, the "middle" is the Middle-way and the two extremes are nihilism and eternalism. The present Buddha, of course, is the Shakyamuni Buddha, and Maitreya will be the next, future Buddha. Maitreya is known for giving the world the Five Treatises of Maitreya. These teachings are particularly precious because they represent the third turning of the wheel of dharma (with the Four Noble Truths teachings being the first turning and Nagarjuna's vast teachings on emptiness being the second turning). This text is particularly close to Thrangu Rinpoche because it expounds the Shentong view and Thrangu Rinpoche has long been a well-recognized master of this point of view. In these recordings Rinpoche comments upon this text in great detail and provides ample opportunity for questions and answers. Translated by David Karma Choephel.

Buddha's Maitreya Differentiating the Middle from the Extremes, Thrangu Rinpoche, Valra Echoes, 4 DVDs, 15 hours, $99.00

Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche is a renowned Tibetan Buddhist master known for his deep compassion and the clarity of his teachings. He was selected by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to serve as the principal tutor to His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, Oryen Trinley Dorje. Thrangu Rinpoche is a full holder and teacher of the Kagyu Vajrayana lineages. He founded the Namo Buddha retreat center in Nepal, has established two shedras (monastic universities) in Nepal and India, and serves as Abbot of Gampo Abbey in Nova Scotia. He also built Tara Abbey, where nuns receive a full dharma education qualifying them to become khenpos or teachers. Thrangu Rinpoche teaches entensively throughout Asia, Europe and the United States. He has centers in Maine and California, and is building the Vajra Vidya Retreat Center in Crestone, Colorado.