Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

On MMK 24.18

  • Published:
Journal of Indian Philosophy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The paper explores the extent to which one of the most cited passages in the Western literature on Madhyamaka furnishes a solid basis for particular interpretations regarding the author of the Mūlamadhyamakakārikās. On the one hand it is attempted to show that MMK 24.18 harmonizes well with an exegesis according to which the creator of the concerned work propagated a view that could be labelled by the designation ‘Metaphysical Illusionism’. On the other hand particular features pertaining to natural language and linguistic communication in general are explored in order to a) account for methodological principles as well as limitations to which exegetical undertakings in the pertinent matter are subject and b) to provide an explanation for certain characteristics of Nāgārjuna’s philosophy.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Arnold D. (2005). Buddhists, brahmins and belief. Epistemology in South Asian philosophy of religion. Columbia University Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Frauwallner E. (1994). Die Philosophie des Buddhismus. Akademie Verlag, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • La Vallée Poussin, L, de (Ed.) (1970). Mūlamadhyamakakārikās (Mādhyamikasū tras) de Nāgārjuna avec la Prasannapadā Commentaire de Candrakīrti [Bibliotheca Buddhica 4]. St. Petersburg 1903-1913. Repr. Osnabrück [Biblio Verlag].

  • Lindtner C. (1982). Nagarjuniana. studies in the writings and philosophy of Nāgārjuna. Akademisk Forlag, Copenhagen

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmithausen, L. (2005). On the problem of the external world in the Ch’eng wei shi lun. Studia Philologica Buddhica, Occasional Paper Series XIII, Tokyo.

  • Weber-Brosamer B., & Back, D.M. (1997). Die Philosophie der Leere Nagarjunas Mūlamadhyamaka-Kārikās. Übersetzung des buddhistischen Basistextes mit kommentierenden Einführungen. Konrad Meisig: Beiträge zur Indologie. Otto Harrassowitz Verlag, Wiesbaden

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Avd. for indologi, Stockholms universitet, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden

    Claus Oetke

Authors
  1. Claus Oetke
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Claus Oetke.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Oetke, C. On MMK 24.18. J Indian Philos 35, 1–32 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10781-006-9010-4

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10781-006-9010-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation