Philosopher
Buddhapālita
fl. 490–510 CE
Also known as Buddhapalita
Early commentator on Nāgārjuna whose method of drawing out an opponent's absurd consequences was attacked by Bhāviveka and defended by Candrakīrti, founding the 'Prāsaṅgika' line.
Buddhapālita flourished around 500 and wrote a complete commentary on Nāgārjuna’s Fundamental Verses on the Middle Way, which now survives only in Tibetan translation.
The dispute between the lines of interpretation later called Prāsaṅgika and Svātantrika crystallised around him, Bhāviveka and Candrakīrti, and especially around their readings of the first verse of Nāgārjuna’s work.
Key ideas
- Drawing out absurd consequences
- Buddhapālita’s commentary does nothing more than show the absurd consequences of affirming any of the positions Nāgārjuna rejects.
- Nothing arises from itself
- Things cannot arise from themselves, for it would be pointless for something already existing to arise: if a thing is already there, its coming into being needs no explanation.
- The root of a dispute
- Bhāviveka faulted him for giving no reason or example and not answering objections; Candrakīrti defended him. The quarrel shaped the later division of Madhyamaka into two streams.
- Tradition
- Indian
- Region
- India
- Schools
- Madhyamaka
Influences
Influenced by
Buddhapālitafl. 490–510 CE
Influenced
Influenced by
Buddhapālitafl. 490–510 CE
Influenced
Where these links come from
- Buddhapālita drew on Nāgārjuna. Source: Dan Arnold, Madhyamaka Buddhist Philosophy, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
- Bhāviveka argued against Buddhapālita. Source: Dan Arnold, Madhyamaka Buddhist Philosophy, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
- Candrakīrti drew on Buddhapālita. Source: Dan Arnold, Madhyamaka Buddhist Philosophy, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Key works
- Commentary on the Fundamental Verses on the Middle Way
Sources
- Dan Arnold, Madhyamaka Buddhist Philosophy, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy