D-031: Madhyamaka (Emptiness - Sunyata)
Definition
Madhyamaka is a major Mahayana Buddhist philosophical tradition associated with Nāgārjuna, centrally emphasizing emptiness (śūnyatā): phenomena lack inherent, independent essence and are understood through dependent origination.
Notes / clarification
Reference definitions
Non-examples (to prevent equivocation)
- Not straightforward nihilism (“nothing exists”); emptiness is not identical to absolute non-being.
Used by
Definition (vault-use)
Madhyamaka is a major Mahayana Buddhist philosophical tradition associated with Nāgārjuna, centrally emphasizing emptiness (śūnyatā): phenomena lack inherent, independent essence and are understood through dependent origination.