Madhyamaka

Nagarjuna and Aryadeva as Two Great Indian Buddhist Scholastics - Google Art Project

Kamalashila

Dolpopa

Tsonkapa, 16th century, Collection of Rubin Museum of Art

Gorampa Sonam Sengge

Madhyamaka is a central philosophy in Mahayana Buddhism, founded by the Indian philosopher Nagarjuna in approximately the 2nd century CE. It is often referred to as the Middle Way, signifying its foundational stance that avoids the extremes of eternalism and nihilism, positing instead that all phenomena (dharmas) are empty (Sunyata) of intrinsic nature, essence, or self. This core principle is articulated through the doctrine of Pratityasamutpada or dependent origination, which asserts that all things arise in dependence upon conditions and thus lack inherent existence.

Origins and Development

Madhyamaka traces its origins to the works of Nagarjuna, whose foundational text, the Mulamadhyamakakarika (Fundamental Verses on the Middle Way), critically examines the Abhidharma teachings of the early Buddhist schools. Nagarjuna's critique aimed to return to the original teachings of the Buddha and emphasize the importance of the Middle Way. Following Nagarjuna, numerous Indian scholars contributed to the development of Madhyamaka philosophy, including Aryadeva, Buddhapalita, Bhavaviveka, and Chandrakirti, each adding layers of interpretation and debate.

Philosophical Tenets

At the heart of Madhyamaka philosophy is the concept of Sunyata, or emptiness, which posits that nothing possesses an inherent nature, independent existence, or self. This is not to say that things do not exist, but rather that they exist only in relation to other things and conditions. This understanding is crucial for overcoming attachment and aversion, leading to liberation (Nirvana) from the cycle of Samsara.

Madhyamaka also employs the method of Prasangika, a form of reductio ad absurdum argumentation, to deconstruct the assertions of essentialist philosophies and demonstrate the logical consequences of holding such views.

Influence and Legacy

Madhyamaka philosophy has had a profound influence on the development of Mahayana Buddhism across Asia, particularly in Tibetan Buddhism, where it was integrated with the tantric teachings, and in East Asian Buddhism, where it influenced the development of the Zen and Pure Land traditions. The school's emphasis on emptiness and the Middle Way has been central to the philosophical discourse within Buddhism and has also attracted interest from Western philosophers and scholars of religion.

Criticism and Debate

Throughout its history, Madhyamaka has faced criticism from both within and outside the Buddhist tradition. Critics argue that its doctrine of emptiness negates the possibility of any positive assertion about reality, leading to nihilism. Madhyamaka scholars, however, counter that such critiques misunderstand the concept of emptiness, which is not a nihilistic void but a way of understanding the interdependent nature of reality that leads to liberation.

Conclusion

Madhyamaka's contribution to Buddhist philosophy is immense, offering a profound understanding of the nature of reality and the path to enlightenment. Its teachings on emptiness, dependent origination, and the Middle Way continue to inspire Buddhist practice and philosophical inquiry.