Bhaviveka c. 500 – c. 578
Bhaviveka (c. 500 – c. 578) was an Indian philosopher of the Medieval era, associated with Buddhism and Indian Philosophy.
Bhaviveka, also known as Bhavaviveka, was an Indian Buddhist Madhyamaka philosopher of the sixth century, traditionally counted, with Buddhapalita and Candrakirti, among the founders of the autonomous, or Svatantrika, reading of Nagarjuna's middle-way philosophy. The Tarkajvala, or Blaze of Reasoning, his commentary on his own Madhyamakahrdaya, defended the use of independent syllogistic argument in establishing the doctrine of emptiness against both Buddhist and non-Buddhist opponents. His careful surveys of the views of the Sankhya, Vaisheshika, Vedanta, Mimamsa, and Yogacara schools have made his work an indispensable source for the history of classical Indian philosophy.
Key facts
- Nationality
- Indian
- Era
- Medieval
- Movements
- Buddhism, Indian Philosophy
Selected quotes
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Attributed to Bhaviveka:
“Emptiness must be established by reasoning, not merely shown by absurdity.”
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Attributed to Bhaviveka:
“The Madhyamaka path goes between the two extremes of eternalism and annihilationism.”
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Attributed to Bhaviveka:
“All views are empty; even the view that all views are empty must be set down at last.”
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Attributed to Bhaviveka:
“We refute the views of others not to humiliate them, but to free them from clinging to those views.”
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Attributed to Bhaviveka:
“Conventional truth is not opposed to ultimate truth; it is its mode of appearance.”
Frequently asked about Bhaviveka
- When did Bhaviveka live?
- Bhaviveka was born in c. 500 and died in c. 578.
- Where was Bhaviveka from?
- Bhaviveka was an Indian philosopher of the Medieval era.
- What philosophical movements is Bhaviveka associated with?
- Bhaviveka was associated with Buddhism and Indian Philosophy.
- What was Bhaviveka known for?
- Bhaviveka, also known as Bhavaviveka, was an Indian Buddhist Madhyamaka philosopher of the sixth century, traditionally counted, with Buddhapalita and Candrakirti, among the founders of the autonomous, or Svatantrika, reading of Nagarjuna's middle-way philosophy.
- How many quotes are attributed to Bhaviveka?
- There are 5 attributed quotations from Bhaviveka in the 1001Philosophers collection, organized by topic.