Oral commentary by the Dalai Lama, translated by B. Alan Wallace; most recent copyright 2009
From the Foreword:
"This work consists of a translation from the Sanskrit of the ninth chapter of a work entitled A GUIDE TO THE BODHISATTVA WAY OF LIFE by the Indian scholar and contemplative Shantideva. This chapter, named 'Transcendent Wisdom,' sets forth the Centrist, or Madhyamika view of Buddhist philosophy in the context of other Buddhist and non-Buddhist views. From a Western perspective it is philosophical in content; yet it has a definite religious tone to it, and it also belongs to a contemplative discipline that presents empirical means for testing its conclusions.
".... The text is accompanied by a translation from spoken Tibetan of an oral commentary presented by H.H. the Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, during the summer of 1979 in Rikon, Switzerland. This commentary was delivered before an assembly of roughly a thousand Tibetans and a few score Westerners, and it clearly assumes some background in Buddhist philosophy on the part of the listeners. The 'Transcendent Wisdom' chapter of Shantideva's classic treatise is known among Buddhist scholars as a challenging and profound exposition of the pinnacle of Buddhist philosophy. Hopefully this translation will further elucidate this text for those seeking an understanding of the Buddhist Centrist view and its relevance to contemporary thought."
Kindle location 18