Nagarjuna was a prominent Buddhist philosopher who lived in India during the second century CE. He is known for his contributions to the Madhyamaka school of Buddhism, which emphasizes the concept of emptiness and the middle way between extremes. While there are many similarities between Nagarjuna and other Buddhist philosophers, there are also distinct differences in their teachings.

One of the main similarities between Nagarjuna and other Buddhist philosophers is their focus on the concept of emptiness. This concept is central to Buddhist thought and refers to the idea that all phenomena are empty of inherent existence. Nagarjuna further developed this concept by stating that emptiness itself is also empty, meaning that it is not a separate, independent entity. This idea is shared by other Buddhist philosophers such as the historical Buddha and the Mahayana philosopher, Vasubandhu.

Another similarity between Nagarjuna and other Buddhist philosophers is their emphasis on the middle way. This refers to the idea of avoiding extremes and finding a balanced approach to life. Nagarjuna believed that clinging to either existence or non-existence would lead to suffering, and instead advocated for a middle way that recognizes the interdependent nature of all things. This concept is also shared by other Buddhist thinkers, including the historical Buddha and the Madhyamaka philosopher, Chandrakirti.

However, there are also significant differences between Nagarjuna and other Buddhist philosophers. One of the main differences is in their approach to the concept of emptiness. While Nagarjuna emphasized the emptiness of all phenomena, other philosophers such as Vasubandhu and the Yogacara school focused on the emptiness of the self or the mind. This difference in emphasis led to different interpretations of the concept of emptiness within Buddhist thought.

Additionally, Nagarjuna's approach to emptiness was more analytical and logical compared to other Buddhist philosophers. He used reasoning and logical arguments to explain the concept of emptiness, while others relied more on meditative experiences and scriptural authority. This difference in approach reflects the influence of Nagarjuna's background in the Indian philosophical tradition of logic and reasoning.

Another notable difference between Nagarjuna and other Buddhist philosophers is his rejection of the concept of inherent existence. While some philosophers, such as the Yogacara school, believed in the existence of an ultimate reality or ultimate truth, Nagarjuna argued that this would contradict the concept of emptiness. He believed that all things are empty of inherent existence and that there is no ultimate reality beyond this emptiness.

In conclusion, Nagarjuna shares many similarities with other Buddhist philosophers, such as their emphasis on emptiness and the middle way. However, there are also significant differences in their approach to these concepts and their interpretations of Buddhist teachings. Nagarjuna's unique perspective and logical approach have made him a highly influential figure in Buddhist philosophy, and his teachings continue to be studied and debated by scholars and practitioners alike.