Courtesy of Himalayan Art Resources
A clear, concise, and comprehensive overview of Buddhist practice
We warmly invite you to join us in studying the famous text by the great scholar and master Nagarjuna. "Letter to a Friend" offers a comprehensive and accessible overview of the path leading to Buddhahood, making it an invaluable guide on the journey towards inner freedom, wisdom, and compassion.
The study is long-term and will be divided into several cycles.
Teacher: Jamyang Shenphen
Continuing again from late September 2026
(the lecture schedule may be subject to change)
Venue: online via Zoom
(the link will be sent upon registration)
Registration: here
After registering, we will also send you access to audio recordings and the text covered so far.
Language: Tibetan with Czech translation
More information: info@siddhartha.cz
Price: free / voluntary contribution
The programme is open to everyone regardless of prior experience with Buddhism.
Nāgārjuna
(Skt. Nāgārjuna; Tib. ཀླུ་སྒྲུབ་, Ludrup, Wyl. klu sgrub; c. 150–250) is one of the most important Buddhist philosophers. He is considered the founder of the Madhyamaka Mahayana philosophical school. His work Mūlamadhyamakakārikā (Fundamental Verses on the Middle Way) is the most important text of Madhyamaka, the philosophical school establishing the emptiness of all experienced phenomena. Nagarjuna is one of the six great commentators on the Buddha's teachings, is counted among the eighty-four mahasiddhas, and among the eight vidyadharas.
Letter to a Friend
(Skt. Suhṛllekha; Tib. བཤེས་པའི་སྤྲིང་ཡིག་, Wyl. bshes pa'i spring yig) is a shastra or treatise by Nagarjuna, classified among his collection of advice. Nagarjuna wrote this poem as a letter of advice to his friend, King Gautamiputra.
Although the "Letter to a Friend" is relatively short (only 123 verses), it summarizes the entire Mahayana path and presents the essence of the Dharma – the Buddha's teachings – in a clear and accessible way for ordinary people. This work is especially popular among those who wish to live and work in society while also pursuing spiritual development. Thanks to its clear and concise summary of the entire Mahayana Buddhist path, its memorable imagery and similes, and its combination of practical advice for everyday life with a theoretical explanation of the individual stages leading to enlightenment, it is frequently cited by great Tibetan masters and scholars in their commentaries on the Buddhist path.
Who is this study for?
This text is particularly valuable for people living ordinary lives – those who work, study, or care for a family – as it offers timeless methods for integrating Buddhist principles into everyday life. You do not need to be a Buddhist to benefit from this study; the text contains universal wisdom for a more ethical, happier, and more meaningful life, even in today's world full of challenges and distractions.
Why study this text?
- It provides practical guidance for spiritual life in the ordinary world
- It explains the main principles of Buddhism in an accessible way
- It offers methods for bringing peace and wisdom into everyday life
- It is suitable for both beginners and advanced students
Jamyang Shenphen Bhutia
Shenphen studied Buddhist philosophy in northern India at the Dzongsar Institute monastic university in Bir and subsequently at Sakya College in Dehradun. There he completed his studies with the title of Lopön (Acharya), which is the equivalent of a Master's degree in philosophy. He currently lives in the Czech Republic.
Would you like to support us?
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Your financial donations help us continue all of our activities. We are very grateful for them.
- You can send them to one of the Siddhartha Centre association's accounts:
- CZK – 2301983302/2010
- EUR – CZ45 2010 0000 0023 0331 6562
SWIFT / BIC: FIOBCZPPXXX. - Please include "donation" in the payment reference.
Thank you very much!
