Eastern Philosophies  Sanlun FAQs  FAQ

What are the key texts of the Sanlun school?

The Sanlun school, also known as the Three Treatise school, is a Chinese Madhyamaka school that emerged during the Tang dynasty in China. It is based on the teachings of Nagarjuna and his commentary on the Madhyamaka philosophy. The Sanlun school is considered one of the most influential schools of Chinese Buddhism, and its key texts have played a significant role in shaping the development of Chinese Buddhism.

The Sanlun school's key texts are the Three Treatises (Sanlun) composed by Nagarjuna, along with the commentaries of two Chinese masters, Kumarajiva and Sengzhao. These texts are the Madhyamaka-karika (Verses on the Middle Way), the Madhyamaka-shastra (Treatise on the Middle Way), and the Shunyata-saptati (Seventy Verses on Emptiness).

The Madhyamaka-karika, also known as the Mulamadhyamakakarika, is the most famous and influential text of the Sanlun school. It consists of 27 chapters and 448 verses, and it presents the core teachings of the Madhyamaka philosophy. This text is considered the foundation of the Sanlun school and is often studied and commented on by Chinese Madhyamaka masters.

The Madhyamaka-shastra is a commentary on the Madhyamaka-karika written by Kumarajiva, a renowned translator and scholar from the Sanlun school. This text is divided into 24 chapters and provides a detailed explanation of the key concepts and arguments presented in the Madhyamaka-karika. It is considered one of the most authoritative commentaries on Nagarjuna's work.

The Shunyata-saptati, also known as the Vaidalyaprakarana, is a commentary on the Madhyamaka-karika written by Sengzhao, a Chinese Madhyamaka master. This text consists of 70 verses that explore the concept of emptiness in depth. It is known for its poetic style and has been highly regarded by Chinese Buddhists for its clarity and eloquence.

Apart from these three key texts, the Sanlun school also considers the Mahaprajnaparamita-sastra (Treatise on the Great Perfection of Wisdom) as an important text. Although not written by Nagarjuna, it is based on his teachings and is considered a valuable source for understanding the Madhyamaka philosophy.

In conclusion, the Three Treatises, namely the Madhyamaka-karika, the Madhyamaka-shastra, and the Shunyata-saptati, along with the Mahaprajnaparamita-sastra, are the key texts of the Sanlun school. These texts have been studied and commented on by Chinese Madhyamaka masters for centuries, and they