Abstract
This paper discusses a somewhat neglected reading of the second chapter of Nāgārjuna’s Mūlamadhyamakakārikā, arguing that the main focus of a crucial part is a particular theory of properties and their relation to individuals they instantiate, rather than the refutation of specific assumptions about the nature of space and time. Some of Nāgārjuna’s key arguments about motion should be understood as argument templates in which notions other than mover, motion, and so forth could be substituted. The remainder of the discussion of motion does not serve quasi-Zenonian purposes either but uses motion as a principal example of change and considers the soteriological problems of the subject moving (gati) through transmigratory existence (saṃsāra). I attempt to show how this interpretation coheres with Nāgārjuna’s overall philosophical project.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Abbreviations
- MMK:
-
Nāgārjuna’s Mūlamadhyamakakārikā J.W. De Jong, Christian Lindtner (eds): Nāgārjuna’s Mūlamadhyamakakārikā Prajñā Nāma. Adyar Library, Adyar, Chennai, 2004.
- PP:
-
Candrakīrti’s Prasannapadā Louis de la Vallée Poussin (ed.): Prasannapadā Mūlamadhyamakavṛttiḥ. Bibliotheca Buddhica IV, St Petersburg, 1903–1913. J.W. De Jong: ‘Textcritical notes on the Prasannapadā’, Indo-Iranian Journal, 20, 1978, 25–59, 217–252 (Corrections of the above edition.)
- TSṬC:
-
Tsong kha pa’s rTsa she ṭik chen rTsa she ṭik chen rig pa’i rgya mtsho, Sarnath, Legs bshad gter mdzod par khang, 1973.
References
Ames W. (1995) Bhāvaviveka’s Prajñāpradīpa. A translation of chapter two. Journal of Indian Philosophy 23: 295–365
Armstrong D.M. (1978) Nominalism & Realism. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
Armstrong D.M. (1997) A world of states of affairs. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
Bhattacharya K. (1977) On the relationship between the Vigrahavyāvartanī and the Nyāyasūtras. Journal of Indo-European Studies 5(2–3): 265–273
Bhattacharya, K. (1980). Nāgārjuna’s arguments against motion: their grammatical basis. In A corpus of Indian studies. Essays in honour of Professor Gaurinath Sastri (pp. 85–95). Calcutta: Sanskrit Pustak Bhandar.
Bhattacharya K. (1980-1981) The grammatical basis of Nāgārjuna’s arguments: Some further considerations. Indologica Taurinensia 8: 35–43
Bhattacharya K. (1985) Nāgārjuna’s arguments against motion. Journal of the International Association of Buddhist Studies 8: 7–15
Bhattacharya, K. (1994–1995). Back to Nāgārjuna and grammar. Adyar Library Bulletin, 58–59, 178–189.
Chakravarti P.C. (1930) The philosophy of sanskrit grammar. University of Calcutta, Calcutta
Cheng H.L. (1980) Motion and rest in the Middle Treatise. Journal of Chinese Philosophy 7: 229–244
de Jong J.W. (1978) Textcritical notes on the Prasannapadā. Indo-Iranian Journal 20(25–59): 217–252
Galloway B. (1987) Notes on Nāgārjuna and Zeno on motion. Journal of the International Association of Buddhist Studies 10: 81–87
Ganeri J. (1999) Semantic powers. Meaning and the means of knowing in classical indian philosophy. Clarendon, Oxford
Garfield, J. (1995). The fundamental wisdom of the middle way. Translation and commentary of Nāgārjuna’s Mūlamadhyamakakārikā. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Hume D. (1896) A treatise of human nature. Clarendon Press, Oxford
Inada, K. K. (1970). Nāgārjuna. A translation of his Mūlamadhyamakakārikā with an introductory essay. Tokyo: Hokuseido Press.
Kalupahana D.J. (1991) Mūmamadhyamakakārikā of Nāgārjuna. Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi
Katsura, S. (2000). Nāgārjuna and the Trilemma or traikālyāsiddhi. In P. Balcerowicz & M. Mejor (Eds.), On the understanding of other cultures. Proceedings of the International Conference on Sanskrit and Related Studies (pp. 207–231). Warsaw: Oriental Institute, Warsaw University.
Kielhorn, F. (Ed.) (1880–1885). The Vyākaran:a-Mahābhāṣya of Patañjali. Bombay: Government Central Book Depot.
La Vallée Poussin, L. (1988–1990). Abhidharmakośabhāṣyam. Berkeley, CA: Asian Humanities Press. English translation by Leo M. Pruden.
Lindtner, C. (1982) Nagarjuniana. Studies in the writings and philosophy of Nāgārjuna. Akademisk Forlag, Copenhagen
Mabbett I. (1984) Nāgārjuna and Zeno on motion. Philosophy East and West 34(4): 401–420
May, J. (1959). Prasannapadā Madhyamakavrtti: Douze chapitres traduits du sanscrit et du tibétain. Paris: Adrien-Maisonneuve.
Murti, T. V. R. (1955). Central philosophy of Buddhism. A study of Madhyamika system. London: George Allen and Unwin.
Pandeya, R. (1988–1989). Madhyamakaśāstram. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass.
Pradhan, P. (1975). Abhidharmakośabhāṣya of Vasubandhu. Patna: K.P. Jayaswal Research Institute.
Renou L. (1942) Terminologie grammaticale du sanskrit. Champion, Paris
Schayer, S. (1929–1930). Feuer und Brennstoff. Ein Kapitel aus dem Mādhyamika-śāstra des Nāgārjuna mit der Vrtti des Candrakīrti. Rocznik Orjentalistyczny, 7, 26–52.
Siderits M. (2003) Personal identity and Buddhist philosophy. Ashgate, Aldershot
Siderits, M. (2007). Buddhism as philosophy. An introduction. Aldershot, Ashgate.
Siderits M., Katsura S. (2006) Mūlamadhyamakakārikā I–X. Journal of Indian and Tibetan Studies (Indogakuchibettogaku Kenkyū) 9(10): 129–185
Siderits M., O’Brien J.D. (1976) Zeno and Nāgārjuna on motion. Philosophy East and West 26(3): 281–299
Tsong kha pa Blo bzang grags pa. (2006). Ocean of reasoning. (Trans. Geshe Ngawang Samten & Jay Garfield). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Walleser, M. (1911). Die Mittlere Lehre des Nāgārjuna: nach der tibetischen Version übertragen. Heidelberg: Winter.
Walser J. (1998) On the formal arguments of the Akutobhayā. Journal of Indian Philosophy 26: 189–232
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Westerhoff, J. Nāgārjuna’s Arguments on Motion Revisited. J Indian Philos 36, 455–479 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10781-008-9048-6
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10781-008-9048-6