Nagarjuna’s theory of emptiness -a philosophical view

Abstract

Mahayana Buddhism is an important branch in the history of Buddhist philosophy. Madhyamika, Yogacara traditions originated in the development of two different interpretations of Prajnaparamita sutras, the main text of Mahayana Buddhism. Here Nagarjuna is seen as the main founder of the Madhyamika tradition. The theory of emptiness put forward by Nagarjuna is considered to be the neutral principle of Mahayana philosophy. The concept of emptiness is not used in the sense of emptiness or nothingness in the ordinary sense of the word but is used as the neutral and main theme of Buddhism. The aim of this study is to clarify the concept of emptiness put forward by Nagarjuna in Mahayana Buddhist philosophy and to reveal the importance of emptiness in Buddhist philosophy. Nagarjuna's theory of emptiness is based on the hypothesis that the Buddhist philosophical tradition is neutral. The qualitative method is used in this study. Texts, research paper, E-journal, and E-source related to Mahayana Buddhist philosophy are used as secondary data. Analytical methodology, descriptive methodology and historical methodology are used here as research methodologies. He clarifies that in order to understand Buddhist philosophy one must understand the neutrality of emptiness.