Die Lehre von der Mitte

The Mula-madhyamaka-karika (The Teaching of the Middle) is the main work of Nagarjuna. It has been preserved in its original Sanskrit as well as in Tibetan and Chinese versions. The Sanskrit and Tibetan versions are embedded in an extensive commentary by Candrakirti (circa 600 - 650 CE), while the Chinese translation by Kumarajiva (344 - 413 CE) is integrated into an equally extensive commentary by Pingala (late 3rd to early 4th century), both of which became significant for the reception in India and further Asia. Therefore, the understanding of this foundational text of Mahayana Buddhism also connects to its translations into modern languages. However, apart from the Chinese translator Kumarajiva, whose text is the basis for this edition, no other translator has been found who presented the teaching poem in verse form. The foundation of the text lies in the doctrinal connection to the Buddha's teaching on the suffering of all beings in the world and to the "path of salvation" indicated by the Buddha, which is meant to lead to liberation from suffering. The philosophical aspect of the text consists of Nagarjuna's original analyses of what suffering actually means and what the goal of the path of salvation might be. To this end, Nagarjuna offers a vast scholarship. He is familiar with all the arguments of the Brahmin (Hindu) schools as well as those of his Buddhist predecessors and engages with them. The editor of this edition further posits the well-founded thesis that Nagarjuna evidently also had knowledge of Greek philosophy, which inspired him to his unusual arguments.