The Mahayana Buddhism had two philosophical schools. Which of the foll...
According to I-ching's report from India (A. D. 691), Mahayana Buddhism was divided into two schools, the Madhyamika and Yogachara. The main author of Madhyamika school was Nagarjuna. Other popular name of Madhyamika is Shunyavada. In English translations, it repeatedly termed as Buddhist philosophy or Mahayana Philosophy of Emptiness. Madhyamika originated with Nagarjuna. Nagarjuna was born around 150 AD in Guntur District of Andhra Pradesh.
Yogachara school of Mahayana developed around 4c. AD. In Sanskrit, it is also called Vigyana Vada. The main text of Yogachara Mahayana is Sandhinirmochana Sutra. The main scholars of this school of Mahayana were Vasubandhu and Asanga. Vasubandhu and Asanga were half brothers.
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The Mahayana Buddhism had two philosophical schools. Which of the foll...
Madhyamika and Yogachara
Madhyamika and Yogachara are the two philosophical schools that belonged to Mahayana Buddhism.
Madhyamika
- Madhyamika, also known as the Middle Way, was founded by the Indian philosopher Nagarjuna.
- The Madhyamika school emphasizes the concept of Sunyata (emptiness) and the idea that all phenomena are devoid of inherent nature or essence.
- According to Madhyamika philosophy, the ultimate reality is beyond conceptual elaboration and cannot be grasped by ordinary dualistic thinking.
Yogachara
- Yogachara, also known as the Yoga practice, was founded by the Indian philosopher Asanga.
- The Yogachara school focuses on the nature of consciousness and the mind, emphasizing the importance of meditation and mental cultivation.
- Yogachara teachings emphasize the concept of Vijnapti-matra, which means "mind-only" or "representation-only," suggesting that all phenomena are projections of the mind.
Both Madhyamika and Yogachara schools played a significant role in the development of Mahayana Buddhism, offering different perspectives on the nature of reality and the path to enlightenment.
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