Nāgārjuna's Mūlamadhyamakakārikā Paperback – May 22, 2025

This book is a new translation of Nāgārjuna's Mūlamadhyamakakārikā (Verses on the Middle Way), known in its Chinese transmission as the Zhonglun (中論), one of the most important treatises in Mahāyāna Buddhism, rendered into contemporary Japanese for the modern reader.The Composition and Historical Significance of the MūlamadhyamakakārikāThe Mūlamadhyamakakārikā is generally believed to have been composed in India by the Bodhisattva Nāgārjuna around the 2nd to 3rd centuries CE. Amidst the flourishing of complex Abhidharma philosophy in sectarian Buddhism after the Buddha's parinirvāṇa, Nāgārjuna returned to the Buddha's fundamental teaching of "dependent origination" (pratītyasamutpāda) and systematically established the philosophy of "emptiness" (śūnyatā) through rigorous logic. This endeavor is recognized as having formed the philosophical foundation for all subsequent Mahāyāna Buddhism and provided a philosophical underpinning for the Prajñāpāramitā Sūtras.The Mūlamadhyamakakārikā has exerted immense influence throughout East Asian Buddhist cultures, including China, Tibet, and Japan. It has been a crucial text for study and commentary in numerous schools, such as the Sanlun (Three Treatise), Tiantai, and Zen schools. Its universal questions and profound insights continue to transcend time and culture, illuminating the path to liberation from suffering and true wisdom for all people.About the Author: Nāgārjuna BodhisattvaNāgārjuna Bodhisattva is revered as a patriarch of Mahāyāna Buddhism and a great thinker, sometimes referred to as the "second Buddha." While many legendary elements surround his life, he is traditionally said to have been a Brahmin from South India. Initially versed in non-Buddhist learning, he later converted to Buddhism and delved deeply into the teachings of the Prajñāpāramitā Sūtras. In addition to the Mūlamadhyamakakārikā, he is credited with many other important works, such as the Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (though its authorship by Nāgārjuna is debated, particularly its Chinese version attributed to Kumārajīva), the Dvādaśanikāyaśāstra (Twelve Gate Treatise), and the Śūnyatāsaptati (Seventy Verses on Emptiness). The primary focus of his philosophy is to thoroughly deconstruct all fixed views (prapañca) and to reveal "emptiness" as the "Middle Way," which is neither existence nor non-existence.Structure and Features of This BookThis book is based on the Chinese translation of the Mūlamadhyamakakārikā by Kumārajīva. It presents the original Chinese text alongside its corresponding "Reiwa-era Contemporary Japanese Translation." This parallel format allows readers to appreciate the style of the original text while understanding its meaning in modern language. Annotations have been added where necessary to aid comprehension of difficult Buddhist terminology and philosophical contexts.It is my sincere hope that this "Reiwa-era Contemporary Japanese Translation" will open a door to the profound wisdom of Nāgārjuna Bodhisattva, and serve as a guide for readers to re-examine their understanding of self and the world, leading them towards a freer and more enriched spiritual life. Read more