Arya Nagarjuna

Arya NagarjunaArya Nagarjuna

Biographical sketchesBiographical sketches


It is accepted that Arya Nagarjuna was It is accepted that Arya Nagarjuna was not only the pioneer of Madhyamaka not only the pioneer of Madhyamaka system but also he was the originator of system but also he was the originator of Mahayana according to some writers. Mahayana according to some writers. But it is not easy to find a proper But it is not easy to find a proper biography of him. We cannot find biography of him. We cannot find anything of him from him books. anything of him from him books. Taranatha, a Tibetan writer’s book Taranatha, a Tibetan writer’s book “History of Buddhism” (Tr.Schiefner) “History of Buddhism” (Tr.Schiefner) which was written in 1608 has a chapter which was written in 1608 has a chapter of Nagarjuna.of Nagarjuna.


Another Tibetan writer lived earlier toAnother Tibetan writer lived earlier to

Taranatha, Bu-ston’s (1290-1364) Taranatha, Bu-ston’s (1290-1364) “History of Buddhism” (Tr.by Obermiller) “History of Buddhism” (Tr.by Obermiller) as to theas to the

information of Nagarjuna, he was born atinformation of Nagarjuna, he was born at

Vidarbha city of Maharastra. He was ordainVidarbha city of Maharastra. He was ordain

In Nalanda at the very young age receivedIn Nalanda at the very young age received

Education from teacher called Education from teacher called Rahulabhadra (Rahula Sribhadra).Rahulabhadra (Rahula Sribhadra).


As he had a sharp knowledge in a very As he had a sharp knowledge in a very short period of time finalized his short period of time finalized his education and became an expert on education and became an expert on Buddhist Philosophy. According to Buddhist Philosophy. According to Chinese sourcesChinese sources

he was born in a Brahmin family in Southhe was born in a Brahmin family in South

India. He received the education on Veda India. He received the education on Veda and Vedanga and after that he was and Vedanga and after that he was ordained. At first he studied Hinayanaordained. At first he studied Hinayana


But later he learned Mahayana Sutras But later he learned Mahayana Sutras from a monk who was near Himalayas.from a monk who was near Himalayas.

According to the Chinese and Tibetan According to the Chinese and Tibetan information he has gained knowledge information he has gained knowledge on secret science and, Chemical on secret science and, Chemical studies and he became an expert on studies and he became an expert on them. He maintain the relationship them. He maintain the relationship With the King ofWith the King of

Nagas.It is said he lived long time as toNagas.It is said he lived long time as to

Arya NagarjunaArya Nagarjuna The power of secret science and with the The power of secret science and with the

power of chemicals. According to the power of chemicals. According to the relationship he had with Naga king in Naga relationship he had with Naga king in Naga Loka he has gone to the Naga world on an Loka he has gone to the Naga world on an invitation of Naga King. Naga King gave invitation of Naga King. Naga King gave him ‘Sata sahasrika Prajnaparamita”.him ‘Sata sahasrika Prajnaparamita”.

He brought that large volume to human He brought that large volume to human world and started to teach it. This teaching world and started to teach it. This teaching inspired to commence the System of inspired to commence the System of Mahayana.Mahayana.

Arya nagarjunaArya nagarjuna

According to Taranatha’s details According to Taranatha’s details Nagarjuna was a guide for the both Nagarjuna was a guide for the both Hinayana and Mahayana monks. He Hinayana and Mahayana monks. He supported to built Pagods and templessupported to built Pagods and temples

And by that way he did a great service forAnd by that way he did a great service for

the Buddhasasana. At the last part of his the Buddhasasana. At the last part of his life he went to the Southern part of India life he went to the Southern part of India and says he has converted King Udayanaand says he has converted King Udayana

Arya NagarjunaArya Nagarjuna Nagarjunas life story is full of myths and Nagarjunas life story is full of myths and

old legends among those legends old legends among those legends scholars accepted only Nagarjuna was scholars accepted only Nagarjuna was born in the South Andra province and he born in the South Andra province and he had connections with King Satavahana had connections with King Satavahana dynastydynasty

“ “Suhurllekha” ( a letter to a friend) Suhurllekha” ( a letter to a friend) volume was written to one of the kings of volume was written to one of the kings of satavahana dynasty. As to A.K.Wardersatavahana dynasty. As to A.K.Warder


This king was non other than famous This king was non other than famous literary person and literary sponsor and literary person and literary sponsor and who reconstructed the Amaravati temple who reconstructed the Amaravati temple

King 2King 2ndnd Pulumayi. The Nagarjuni Konda in Pulumayi. The Nagarjuni Konda in Andra province is a proof for the Andra province is a proof for the historicityhistoricity

of Nagarjuna, an inscription near the of Nagarjuna, an inscription near the Pagoda of Jagayyapura also mentions Pagoda of Jagayyapura also mentions about Arya Nagarjuna. Therefore about Arya Nagarjuna. Therefore Nagarjuna has been the historical Nagarjuna has been the historical teacher.teacher.


As to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition As to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition which treated Arya Nagarjuna as a which treated Arya Nagarjuna as a Second Buddha believed to be lived Second Buddha believed to be lived around 400 years. He could have lived around 400 years. He could have lived 400 years due to the knowledge of 400 years due to the knowledge of Secret science (GuptaSecret science (Gupta

vidya) and the knolwedge of chemistry.vidya) and the knolwedge of chemistry. But modern scholars accepted these But modern scholars accepted these

stories to show how much respect stories to show how much respect Tibetan Buddhist tradition had towardsTibetan Buddhist tradition had towards


Arya Nagarjuna. According to these Arya Nagarjuna. According to these stories we have to accept at least stories we have to accept at least

there have been few teachers in the there have been few teachers in the name of Nagarjuna. There is an Indian name of Nagarjuna. There is an Indian custom some writers write books and custom some writers write books and ascribe them to the name of a famous ascribe them to the name of a famous teachers.teachers.

According to that system some According to that system some famous writers when compiled books famous writers when compiled books they ascribedthey ascribed


Them to the Name of Nagarjuna. But we Them to the Name of Nagarjuna. But we have to clarify among those teachers have to clarify among those teachers who have written Mulamadhyamaka who have written Mulamadhyamaka Karika and when he lived.Karika and when he lived.

Nagarjuna’s TimeNagarjuna’s Time

Arya Nagarjuna’sArya Nagarjuna’s timetime is a controvercialis a controvercial

issue. Scholars only infer about his time.issue. Scholars only infer about his time.

There are many Chinese sources There are many Chinese sources mentionmention


That Arya Nagarjuna lived in the 3That Arya Nagarjuna lived in the 3rdrd Century. This calculation was done as Century. This calculation was done as to the Hui Yuan teacher. This teacher to the Hui Yuan teacher. This teacher Hui yuan thinks Arya Nagarjuna lived Hui yuan thinks Arya Nagarjuna lived in the 9in the 9thth Century after the decease of Century after the decease of the Buddha.the Buddha.

He takes the 637 B.C.year of the He takes the 637 B.C.year of the Buddha’s Parinirvana.Buddha’s Parinirvana.

Kumarajiva lived in 04Kumarajiva lived in 04thth century (344- century (344-413) and has translated biography of 413) and has translated biography of

Arya Nagarjuna Arya Nagarjuna

Nagarjuna in to Chinese. In that book Nagarjuna in to Chinese. In that book it was mentioned about a pagoda it was mentioned about a pagoda which was built 100 years after his which was built 100 years after his death for the commemoration of death for the commemoration of Arya Nagarjuna. If we consider that Arya Nagarjuna. If we consider that this book was written in the middle of this book was written in the middle of the 4the 4thth Century then we can conclude Century then we can conclude the time of Nagarjuna is the 3the time of Nagarjuna is the 3rdrd

Century. This study is done by R.H. Century. This study is done by R.H. RobinsonRobinson

Arya NagarjunaArya Nagarjuna (Early Madhyamaka in India and (Early Madhyamaka in India and

China.China. Delhi, Motilal Banarsidass, 1976). Delhi, Motilal Banarsidass, 1976).

Robinson also thinks that Nagarjuna Robinson also thinks that Nagarjuna lived in the 3lived in the 3rdrd Century. T.R.V.Murti Century. T.R.V.Murti mentions Nagarjuna might have lived mentions Nagarjuna might have lived in the 2in the 2ndnd Century. Therefore it is Century. Therefore it is better to accept that Nagarjuna lived better to accept that Nagarjuna lived between second and third Century.between second and third Century.


Works of NagarjunaWorks of Nagarjuna There are a lot of books, which were There are a lot of books, which were

ascribed the authorship of Nagarjuna. ascribed the authorship of Nagarjuna. Among those books we have to select Among those books we have to select the books for which we can ascribe the books for which we can ascribe real authorship of Nagarjuna.real authorship of Nagarjuna.

China is the country where the China is the country where the Madhyamaka Philosophy first spread Madhyamaka Philosophy first spread outside India. In China Madhyamakaoutside India. In China Madhyamaka


Philosophy is known as Catur Sastra Philosophy is known as Catur Sastra Nikaya or Thri Sastra Nikaya. (Sata Nikaya or Thri Sastra Nikaya. (Sata Sastra,Sastra,

Madhyamka Sastra, and Maha ParamitaMadhyamka Sastra, and Maha Paramita

Sastra basing on these books Tri Sastra Sastra basing on these books Tri Sastra name is given and it was named as Catus-name is given and it was named as Catus-

sastra Nikaya after adding for these bookssastra Nikaya after adding for these books

Famous Kumarajiva’s DvadasamukhaFamous Kumarajiva’s Dvadasamukha

Sastra into this list. That is the book which Sastra into this list. That is the book which

Arya NagarjunaArya Nagarjuna Was translated by Kumarajive into Was translated by Kumarajive into

ChineseChinese

language. Nagarjuna’s biography in language. Nagarjuna’s biography in

Chinese mentions some of the books Chinese mentions some of the books written by Nagarjuna: Upadesa sastrawritten by Nagarjuna: Upadesa sastra

(Sloka 100,000), Buddha Marga Alankara(Sloka 100,000), Buddha Marga Alankara

and Maha matir upaya sastra ( with and Maha matir upaya sastra ( with Slokas 5000), Mdhyamaka Sastra (slokaSlokas 5000), Mdhyamaka Sastra (sloka

500). Akutobhaya sastra (sloka 100,000))500). Akutobhaya sastra (sloka 100,000))


As to Taranatha Nagarjuna has written As to Taranatha Nagarjuna has written

05 Books.Those are: Mulamadhyamaka 05 Books.Those are: Mulamadhyamaka Karika, Yukti Sataka, Sunyata saptati, Karika, Yukti Sataka, Sunyata saptati, Vigraha vyavartani, Vaidalya Prakarana.Vigraha vyavartani, Vaidalya Prakarana.

Bo-ston says Nagarjuna’s books are 06.Bo-ston says Nagarjuna’s books are 06.

Prajna Mula (Mulamadhyamaka Karika),Prajna Mula (Mulamadhyamaka Karika),

Sunyata Saptati, Yukti Sataka, Vigraha Sunyata Saptati, Yukti Sataka, Vigraha

Vyavartani, Vaidalya Sastra and Vyavartani, Vaidalya Sastra and Prakarana,Prakarana,

Arya Nagarjuna Arya Nagarjuna

Vyavahara siddhi. Apart from these Vyavahara siddhi. Apart from these volumes there are some more books volumes there are some more books are considered Nagarjuna’s Books. are considered Nagarjuna’s Books. Those are:Those are:

1.Ratnavali 2.Catuhstava 3. 1.Ratnavali 2.Catuhstava 3. Pratityasamutpada hridaya 4. Bava Pratityasamutpada hridaya 4. Bava sankranti sastra 6. Prajna danda and sankranti sastra 6. Prajna danda and

7.Suhurllekha.7.Suhurllekha. Kumarajiva translated some books to Kumarajiva translated some books to

Arya NagarjunaArya Nagarjuna Chinese language and those books Chinese language and those books

remain in that language only. Those remain in that language only. Those books also ascribed to Nagarjuna. Those books also ascribed to Nagarjuna. Those are: 1.Mahaare: 1.Maha

Prajnaparamita sastra 2. Dasabhumika Prajnaparamita sastra 2. Dasabhumika sastra 3. Dvadasa mukha sastra. sastra 3. Dvadasa mukha sastra.

Apart from those books now only Apart from those books now only remaining in Chinese language some remaining in Chinese language some books which were the Nagarjuna’s booksbooks which were the Nagarjuna’s books

Arya NagarjunaArya Nagarjuna Ekasloka sastra, Astadasa sunyata sastra, Ekasloka sastra, Astadasa sunyata sastra, Bodhisambara sastra, Bodhicitta nimittaBodhisambara sastra, Bodhicitta nimitta rahita, Bodhi (sattva) caryavatara. rahita, Bodhi (sattva) caryavatara.

Dharmadhatu stotra.Dharmadhatu stotra. As to Richerd H.Robinson, among these As to Richerd H.Robinson, among these

books it is difficult to decide what is the real books it is difficult to decide what is the real work of Nagarjuna. But Robinson says what work of Nagarjuna. But Robinson says what have named by Taranatha as the books of have named by Taranatha as the books of Nagarjuna deciding with the help of whatNagarjuna deciding with the help of what

contained in the Madhyamaka karika and contained in the Madhyamaka karika and thosethose

` `


Books mentioned by Taranatha if can Books mentioned by Taranatha if can còmpare, then can decided those books còmpare, then can decided those books are belong to Nagarjuna. Apart from those are belong to Nagarjuna. Apart from those books Ratnavali, Catuhstava, books Ratnavali, Catuhstava, Pratityasamutpada HridayaPratityasamutpada Hridaya

and Bhava sankranti Sastra etc. from these and Bhava sankranti Sastra etc. from these 04 books Candrakirti has quoted some 04 books Candrakirti has quoted some passages. Therefore those books also can passages. Therefore those books also can be ascribed to Nagarjuna.be ascribed to Nagarjuna.

By the time of 5By the time of 5thth Century Suhurllekha Century Suhurllekha


Has been twice translated in to Chinese.Has been twice translated in to Chinese.

Therefore that is also can be considered as a Therefore that is also can be considered as a book of Nagarjuna. Mahayana Vimsaka book of Nagarjuna. Mahayana Vimsaka work cannot decide belong to Nagarjuna.work cannot decide belong to Nagarjuna.

Lindtner, analysing the resemblance ofLindtner, analysing the resemblance of

the Nagarjuna’s thought catagorized the the Nagarjuna’s thought catagorized the works of Nagarjuna and mentioned some works of Nagarjuna and mentioned some books as primary books of Nagarjuna.books as primary books of Nagarjuna.

Arya NagarjunaArya Nagarjuna Those are:1. Mula Madhyamaka Karika,Those are:1. Mula Madhyamaka Karika,

2.Sunyata saptati 3. Vigraha vyavartani 2.Sunyata saptati 3. Vigraha vyavartani

4. Vidalya Prakarana 5. Vyavahara siddhi4. Vidalya Prakarana 5. Vyavahara siddhi

6. Yukti sastika 7. Catuhstava 8. Ratnavali6. Yukti sastika 7. Catuhstava 8. Ratnavali

9. Pratityasamutpada Hridaya Karika.9. Pratityasamutpada Hridaya Karika.

10.Sutra samuccaya. 11. Bodhicitta 10.Sutra samuccaya. 11. Bodhicitta vivaranavivarana

12. Suhurlleka 13. Bodhisambhara.12. Suhurlleka 13. Bodhisambhara.


Lindtner has decided this after the carefulLindtner has decided this after the careful

investigation of what is the Nagarjna’s investigation of what is the Nagarjna’s philosophy? To what tradition Nagarjuna philosophy? To what tradition Nagarjuna was belonged ? It seems that, to decide was belonged ? It seems that, to decide what are the works of Nagarjuna? Lies on what are the works of Nagarjuna? Lies on the question of what kind of philosophy the question of what kind of philosophy shall we ascribe to Nagarjuna? (Lindtner,shall we ascribe to Nagarjuna? (Lindtner,

C.1982. Nagarjuna. Studies in the WritingsC.1982. Nagarjuna. Studies in the Writings


(Lindtner, C. 1982. Nagarjuna. (Lindtner, C. 1982. Nagarjuna. Studies inStudies in

the Writings and Philosophy of the Writings and Philosophy of Nagarjuna.Nagarjuna.

Delhi: Motilal Banarsidas).Delhi: Motilal Banarsidas).

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Arya Nagarjuna