Nagarjuna stands as a pivotal figure in the development of the Madhyamaka school, offering a profound and systematic articulation of the doctrine of śūnyatā, or emptiness. His philosophical insights reveal that all phenomena, including the self and even the concept of emptiness itself, are devoid of inherent, independent existence. Rather, everything arises interdependently, conditioned by causes and circumstances, and thus lacks any fixed, essential nature. This radical vision does not lead to nihilism, but instead illuminates the Middle Way, where emptiness becomes the very ground that allows for the functioning of conventional reality and the possibility of liberation from suffering.

Central to Nagarjuna’s thought is the distinction between two levels of truth: conventional truth and ultimate truth. Conventional truth pertains to the everyday world of appearances and language, where things seem to possess stable identities. Ultimate truth, however, reveals that such identities are empty of independent essence. By rigorously analyzing and deconstructing conceptual positions, Nagarjuna demonstrates that clinging to any fixed view—whether of existence, non-existence, both, or neither—fails to capture the subtle nature of reality. His use of logical reasoning, particularly through the tetralemma, exposes the limitations of conceptual thought and invites a direct realization of emptiness.

Nagarjuna’s magnum opus, the Mūlamadhyamakakārikā (Fundamental Verses on the Middle Way), serves as the foundational text for the Madhyamaka tradition. In this work, he systematically critiques the notion of svabhāva, or intrinsic nature, and establishes emptiness as the central principle of Mahayana Buddhist philosophy. Through his teachings, Nagarjuna shaped the Madhyamaka school into a distinct and influential branch, leaving an indelible mark on the evolution of Buddhist thought and practice. His legacy endures as an invitation to see beyond the surface of things and to realize the liberating wisdom at the heart of the Middle Way.