Nagarjuna
Ārya Nāgārjuna
c. 150-250 • Indian
Buddhism
2nd-century Indian Buddhist philosopher, founder of the Madhyamaka ('Middle Way') school. His Mūlamadhyamakakārikā develops the doctrine of śūnyatā (emptiness) — that no phenomenon possesses inherent existence — through razor-sharp dialectical analysis.
Key Works
- Mūlamadhyamakakārikā
- Letter to a Friend
- Precious Garland
111
quotes in library
Quotes by Nagarjuna
111 quotes“In examining all things, find their emptiness.”
emptinessVigrahavyavartani
“In emptiness, find your liberation.”
liberationVigrahavyavartani
“The middle way is not a middle position between two views.”
middle-wayMulamadhyamakakarika
“It is the abandonment of all views.”
middle-wayMulamadhyamakakarika
“What remains when views are released? — Direct experience of suchness.”
suchnessMulamadhyamakakarika
“This cannot be told, only known.”
ineffableMulamadhyamakakarika
“All conditioned things are like a dream, a phantom, a bubble, a shadow.”
impermanenceDiamond Sutra (Madhyamaka usage)
“Like dew or a flash of lightning — thus should they be seen.”
impermanenceDiamond Sutra
“He who clings to phenomena clings to suffering.”
non-clingingMulamadhyamakakarika
“He who sees through phenomena finds peace.”
peaceMulamadhyamakakarika
“Examine the doer of action — and you will not find him.”
non-selfMulamadhyamakakarika 8
“Examine the action — and you will not find it apart from conditions.”
emptinessMulamadhyamakakarika 8
“This examination, sustained, is the entrance to wisdom.”
inquiryMulamadhyamakakarika 8
“Where is the goer apart from going?”
interdependenceMulamadhyamakakarika 2
“Where is the going apart from the goer?”
interdependenceMulamadhyamakakarika 2
“Both arise together — neither stands alone.”
interdependenceMulamadhyamakakarika 2
“This is the way of all things.”
wayMulamadhyamakakarika 2
“Liberation is not the destruction of phenomena.”
liberationMulamadhyamakakarika 25
“It is the seeing of phenomena as they are.”
seeingMulamadhyamakakarika 25
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