Nagarjuna stands as a towering figure in the development of Mahayana Buddhist philosophy, particularly through his articulation of the Madhyamaka, or Middle Way, school. At the heart of his thought lies the doctrine of emptiness (śūnyatā), which asserts that all phenomena are devoid of inherent, independent existence. This insight does not suggest a nihilistic void, but rather points to the profound interdependence of all things. Nothing exists by itself or possesses an unchanging essence; instead, everything arises in dependence upon causes, conditions, and conceptual designation. This vision of reality is further clarified through the principle of dependent origination (pratītyasamutpāda), which Nagarjuna extends beyond sentient beings to encompass all phenomena. Every aspect of experience is conditioned, lacking fixed self-nature (svabhāva), and is thus empty. The recognition of this interdependence forms the basis for understanding both the absence of self in persons and the absence of inherent nature in all dharmas. Nagarjuna’s critique of svabhāva rigorously dismantles the notion that anything could exist independently, emphasizing that if something possessed intrinsic nature, it would be immune to change and causality, which runs counter to observable reality. Central to Nagarjuna’s philosophy is the doctrine of the two truths: conventional truth (saṃvṛti-satya) and ultimate truth (paramārtha-satya). On the conventional level, the world of appearances and everyday distinctions remains valid and necessary for communication and spiritual practice. Yet, on the ultimate level, all such distinctions dissolve into emptiness. Importantly, these two truths are not contradictory but mutually dependent; conventional designations are indispensable for navigating the path, even as one realizes their ultimate emptiness. Nagarjuna’s method also involves a systematic avoidance of extremes, which he expresses as the Middle Way. He rejects both eternalism—the belief in truly existent entities—and nihilism—the denial of all existence. Instead, he advocates a path that transcends both, recognizing that reality cannot be captured by fixed conceptual positions. This approach is exemplified in his use of the tetralemma (catuṣkoṭi), a logical tool that refutes all four possible standpoints regarding existence and non-existence, thereby undermining attachment to any fixed view. Through these teachings, Nagarjuna illuminates the path to liberation as one that involves relinquishing all rigid conceptualizations and recognizing the emptiness and interdependence at the heart of reality. The realization of emptiness is not a mere intellectual exercise, but a transformative insight that dissolves suffering born from clinging to false views. In this way, his philosophy offers both a profound metaphysical vision and a