Seongcheol/Sermon, 3. The Madhyamaka

The Madhyamaka School, established by Nāgārjuna in around 150 to 250 CE, is one of the Indian Mahāyāna schools. Nāgārjuna was born into a Brahmin family in South India and brought up with a traditional Hindu education. Although he was clever, he was initially addicted to physical pleasures. When he realized that such desires are not conducive to happiness but to misery and suffering, he went forth1 at a stūpa on a mountain. He first learned Mahānayāna Buddhism, but he remained unsatisfied. He was looking for deep and profound teachings. He eventually acquired Mahāyāna texts and was awakened to the truth of Mahāyāna Buddhism. He dedicated the rest of his life to propagating the ideas of Mahāyāna Buddhism.