A Study of Nagarjuna
Summary
In this focused examination of the Madhyamaka master Nagarjuna, the author reviews the philosophical doctrines he critiqued and the contributions he made to Mahayana thought. The study outlines the intellectual milieu of second-century India and shows how Nagarjuna challenged assumptions of schools like the Sarvastivada through his doctrine of sunyata, arguing that all phenomena lack inherent essence. Central to the article is an analysis of Nagarjuna’s Mulamadhyamakakarika, which uses reductio arguments to deconstruct categories such as causality, motion, self and nirvana. The author emphasises that Nagarjuna’s goal was not nihilism but a middle path avoiding eternalism and annihilationism. The article explores Nagarjuna’s distinction between conventional and ultimate truths and assesses secondary works attributed to him, such as the Vigrahavyavartani and poetic hymns. It also examines how later commentators like Buddhapalita, Bhavaviveka and Candrakirti interpreted his arguments and shaped the development of Madhyamaka dialectics. By reviewing Chinese and Tibetan sources, the author highlights Nagarjuna’s debates with Brahmanical philosophers and his influence on the Prasangika sub-school. The study underscores Nagarjuna’s enduring legacy across India and East Asia, arguing that his method of examining conceptual proliferations remains relevant for comparative philosophy.
Summary reviewed by a volunteer editor.
Conclusion
The article emphasises that Nagarjuna’s rigorous critique of metaphysical assumptions provided Buddhism with a powerful analytical tool. By demonstrating that categories such as self, causation and nirvana are empty of inherent nature, he advocated a middle path that continues to inspire contemporary philosophical discourse. The study urges readers to engage with Nagarjuna’s writings not merely as historical texts but as sources for ongoing inquiry.