CAPF AC 2021 Q41: Ancient History – Buddhism & Jainism
Madhyamika Karika, the basic text of Madhyamika School, was composed by
- (a) Nagarjuna
- (b) Asanga
- (c) Vasubandhu
- (d) Dharmakirti
Answer: (a) Nagarjuna
Explanation
Founder of the Madhyamika school
How to think: link each Mahayana school with its founder.
Madhyamika means the middle path and teaches Shunyata (emptiness).
Its founder is Nagarjuna, and its basic text is his Madhyamika Karika (Mulamadhyamakakarika).
| Philosopher | School | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| Nagarjuna | Madhyamika (Shunyavada) | Madhyamika Karika |
| Asanga | Yogachara (Vijnanavada) | Founder with his brother Vasubandhu |
| Vasubandhu | Yogachara | Abhidharmakosha |
| Dharmakirti | Buddhist logic | Pramanavarttika |
Extra fact: Nagarjuna lived in the Satavahana period, around the 2nd century CE.
Answer: (a) Nagarjuna.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Nagarjuna founded the Madhyamika school and wrote the Madhyamika Karika.
- (b) Incorrect. Asanga founded the Yogachara school.
- (c) Incorrect. Vasubandhu wrote the Abhidharmakosha and belonged to Yogachara.
- (d) Incorrect. Dharmakirti was a Buddhist logician, author of the Pramanavarttika.
Key point
Two main Mahayana schools: Madhyamika or Shunyavada (Nagarjuna) and Yogachara or Vijnanavada (Asanga and Vasubandhu). Dignaga and Dharmakirti were Buddhist logicians.
Remember
Nagarjuna = Madhyamika = Shunyavada.
Common mistakes
- Mixing up Madhyamika (Nagarjuna) with Yogachara (Asanga and Vasubandhu).
- Confusing the philosopher Nagarjuna with the later alchemist of the same name.
- Crediting Vasubandhu, whose famous work is the Abhidharmakosha.
Exam tip
Educated guess: Asanga and Vasubandhu are brothers of the same school, so neither can be the single founder asked for. Nagarjuna and Shunyata go together.
Sources
- NCERT Class XII History — Themes in Indian History Part I, Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings
- Upinder Singh, A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India — Mahayana schools