Madhyamaka, the "philosophy of the middle," systematized the Buddha's fundamental teaching on no-self with its profound non-essentialist reading of reality. Founded in India by Nagarjuna in about the second century CE, Madhyamaka philosophy went on to become the dominant strain of Buddhist thought in Tibet and exerted a profound influence on all the cultures of East Asia. Within the extensive Western scholarship inspired by this school of thought, David Seyfort Ruegg's work is unparalleled in its incisiveness, diligence, and scope. The Buddhist Philosophy of the Middle brings together Ruegg's greatest essays on Madhyamaka, expert writings which have and will continue to contribute to our progressing understanding of this rich tradition.
"Throughout his scholarly life, Professor David Seyfort Ruegg has returned time and again to the Madhyamaka tradition of Buddhism, an apex in the intellectual culture of India and Tibet. The meticulous and lucid analysis in his pioneering studies has contributed substantially to the progress of our understanding of Madhyamaka--its history, philology, literature, philosophy, and cultural influence. Without a doubt, his articles collected here, written between 1963 and 2006, will greatly advance this philosophical tradition finding its rightful place as one of the treasures of human thought and reflection."
