The Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way: Nagarjuna's Mulamadhyamakakarika

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Nagarjuna Jay L. Garfield (Professor of Philosophy, Professor of Philosophy, Hampshire College)

The Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way

Nagarjuna's Mulamadhyamakakarika

Nagarjuna, Jay L. Garfield (Professor of Philosophy, Professor of Philosophy, Hampshire College)

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Oxford OTO
18 January 1999

Religion & beliefs; Buddhism; Criticism & exegesis of sacred texts

The Buddhist saint N=ag=arjuna, who lived in South India in approximately the second century CE, is undoubtedly the most important, influential, and widely studied Mah=ay=ana Buddhist philosopher. His many works include texts addressed to lay audiences, letters of advice to kings, and a set of penetrating metaphysical and epistemological treatises. His greatest philosophical work, the M=ulamadhyamikak=arik=a--read and studied by philosophers in all major Buddhist schools of Tibet, China, Japan, and Korea--is one of the most influential works in the history of Indian philosophy. Now, in The Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way, Jay L. Garfield provides a clear and eminently readable translation of N=ag=arjuna's seminal work, offering those with little or no prior knowledge of Buddhist philosophy a view into the profound logic of the M=ulamadhyamikak=arik=a.

Garfield presents a superb translation of the Tibetan text of M=ulamadhyamikak=arik=a in its entirety, and a commentary reflecting the Tibetan tradition through which N=ag=arjuna's philosophical influence has largely been transmitted. Illuminating the systematic character of N=ag=arjuna's reasoning, Garfield shows how N=ag=arjuna develops his doctrine that all phenomena are empty of inherent existence, that is, than nothing exists substantially or independently. Despite lacking any essence, he argues, phenomena nonetheless exist conventionally, and that indeed conventional existence and ultimate emptiness are in fact the same thing. This represents the radical understanding of the Buddhist doctrine of the two truths, or two levels of reality. He offers a verse-by-verse commentary that explains N=ag=arjuna's positions and arguments in the language of Western metaphysics and epistemology, and connects N=ag=arjuna's concerns to those of Western philosophers such as Sextus, Hume, and Wittgenstein.

An accessible translation of the foundational text for all Mah=ay=ana Buddhism, The Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way offers insight to all those interested in the nature of reality.

By: Nagarjuna
Translated by: Jay L. Garfield (Professor of Philosophy Professor of Philosophy Hampshire College)
Imprint: Oxford OTO
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 201mm, Width: 132mm, Spine: 20mm
Weight: 295g
ISBN: 9780195093360
ISBN 10: 0195093364
Pages: 392
Publication Date: 18 January 1999
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Reviews for The Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way: Nagarjuna's Mulamadhyamakakarika

A brilliant translation and commentary on the Buddhist philosopher Nagarjuna. Garfield's work is a major contribution that will be of benefit to students and scholars of philosophy interested in Buddhist thought. Transcendent Philosophy