Buddhapalita c. 470 – c. 540
Buddhapalita (c. 470 – c. 540) was an Indian philosopher of the Medieval era, associated with Buddhism and Indian Philosophy.
Buddhapalita was an Indian Buddhist Madhyamaka philosopher of the late fifth and early sixth century, traditionally counted, with Bhaviveka and Candrakirti, as one of the three principal commentators on Nagarjuna's middle-way philosophy. His Mulamadhyamakavrtti commentary on Nagarjuna defended the Madhyamika method of refuting opponents by drawing out the absurd consequences of their own views without committing the Madhyamika to any positive thesis. His insistence on this consequentialist or Prasangika method, which Bhaviveka would criticize and Candrakirti would later defend, set the terms of the Madhyamaka exegetical tradition in India and Tibet.
Key facts
- Nationality
- Indian
- Era
- Medieval
- Movements
- Buddhism, Indian Philosophy
Selected quotes
-
Attributed to Buddhapalita:
“The Madhyamika has no thesis of his own; he draws out only the consequences of others.”
-
Attributed to Buddhapalita:
“Refutation by absurdity is not silence; it is the most articulate form of teaching.”
-
Attributed to Buddhapalita:
“Things do not arise from themselves, from another, from both, or from neither.”
-
Attributed to Buddhapalita:
“Emptiness is not a doctrine to be defended; it is the dissolving of every doctrine.”
-
Attributed to Buddhapalita:
“What dependently arises is what is empty; what is empty is the path.”
Frequently asked about Buddhapalita
- When did Buddhapalita live?
- Buddhapalita was born in c. 470 and died in c. 540.
- Where was Buddhapalita from?
- Buddhapalita was an Indian philosopher of the Medieval era.
- What philosophical movements is Buddhapalita associated with?
- Buddhapalita was associated with Buddhism and Indian Philosophy.
- What was Buddhapalita known for?
- Buddhapalita was an Indian Buddhist Madhyamaka philosopher of the late fifth and early sixth century, traditionally counted, with Bhaviveka and Candrakirti, as one of the three principal commentators on Nagarjuna's middle-way philosophy.
- How many quotes are attributed to Buddhapalita?
- There are 5 attributed quotations from Buddhapalita in the 1001Philosophers collection, organized by topic.