# Nagarjuna

> 3rd-century Indian Buddhist philosopher

**Wikidata**: [Q171195](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q171195)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nagarjuna)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/nagarjuna

## Summary
Nagarjuna was a 3rd-century Indian Buddhist philosopher, monk, and writer, best known as a foundational figure in the Mahayana Buddhist tradition. He is associated with the Madhyamaka school of thought and was a key intellectual at the ancient Nalanda Mahavihara, shaping Buddhist philosophy through his writings and teachings.

## Biography
- Born: [date and place unknown]
- Nationality: Indian
- Education: Educated at Nalanda Mahavihara
- Known for: Founding the Madhyamaka school of Mahayana Buddhism
- Employer(s): Nalanda Mahavihara
- Field(s): Buddhist philosophy, monastic scholarship

## Contributions
Nagarjuna is credited with developing the Madhyamaka school of Mahayana Buddhism, which emphasizes the Middle Way between extremes. His philosophical works, though largely lost, have influenced later Buddhist thought and continue to be studied in academic circles. He was a prominent figure at Nalanda Mahavihara, contributing to the monastery’s role as a center of Buddhist learning.

## FAQs
### What was Nagarjuna’s primary contribution to Buddhism?
Nagarjuna is best known for establishing the Madhyamaka school of Mahayana Buddhism, which advocates for the Middle Way as the path to enlightenment.

### Where did Nagarjuna study and teach?
Nagarjuna was affiliated with Nalanda Mahavihara, an ancient Hindu-Buddhist monastery and university in Bihar, India.

### What is the Madhyamaka school of thought?
The Madhyamaka school, founded by Nagarjuna, emphasizes the Middle Way as the ultimate truth, rejecting both extreme views of existence and non-existence.

### What is Nagarjuna’s legacy in Buddhist philosophy?
Nagarjuna’s teachings have profoundly influenced Mahayana Buddhism, shaping later philosophical developments and monastic scholarship.

## Why They Matter
Nagarjuna’s work laid the foundation for the Madhyamaka school, which remains a cornerstone of Mahayana Buddhist thought. His emphasis on the Middle Way has been widely adopted and studied, shaping the philosophical landscape of Buddhism. His association with Nalanda Mahavihara ensures his influence extends beyond philosophy into the history of ancient Indian education and monastic life.

## Notable For
- Founder of the Madhyamaka school of Mahayana Buddhism
- Key intellectual at Nalanda Mahavihara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Influential philosopher whose teachings continue to be studied in Buddhist academia

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Nagarjuna was born in the 3rd century and became a Buddhist monk, likely at Nalanda Mahavihara, where he received his education. The exact dates of his birth and death are not specified, but his intellectual contributions are well-documented.

### Philosophical Contributions
Nagarjuna is primarily known for his development of the Madhyamaka school, which advocates for the Middle Way as the path to enlightenment. His philosophical works, though largely lost, have been preserved in commentaries by later scholars. The Madhyamaka school emphasizes the rejection of extreme views, advocating instead for a balanced understanding of reality.

### Association with Nalanda Mahavihara
Nagarjuna was a prominent figure at Nalanda Mahavihara, an ancient Hindu-Buddhist monastery and university in Bihar, India. The site is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its historical significance in Buddhist and Hindu scholarship. Nagarjuna’s affiliation with Nalanda ensures his legacy extends beyond philosophy into the broader context of ancient Indian education and monastic life.

### Influence and Legacy
Nagarjuna’s teachings have had a lasting impact on Buddhist philosophy, particularly within the Mahayana tradition. His emphasis on the Middle Way has been widely adopted and studied, shaping later philosophical developments. His association with Nalanda Mahavihara also highlights his role in preserving and advancing Buddhist scholarship in ancient India.

## References

1. International Standard Name Identifier
2. Japan Search
3. BnF authorities
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. [Source](https://lingualibre.org/wiki//Q394910)
6. Internet Philosophy Ontology project
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Buddhist Digital Archives
9. Swedish Open Cultural Heritage
10. IdRef
11. CERL Thesaurus
12. [Source](http://www.fodizi.tw/fojiaozhishi/670.html)
13. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
14. Enciclopedia Treccani
15. Treccani Philosophy
16. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
17. Regional Database of the Central Bohemian Research Library in Kladno
18. Catalogo of the National Library of India