Definition:
Madhyamika, "school of the Middle Way," was founded in about the 2nd century by the Indian scholar/philosopher Nagarjuna. Madhyamika was critical to the development of Mahayana Buddhism and particularly to Ch'an (Zen) and Tibetan Buddhism.
Nagarjuna argued that all phenomena are empty of intrinsic existence in themselves. Because all phenomena come into being because of conditions created by other phenomena, they have no existence of their own and are empty of a permanent self. Thus, there is neither reality not not-reality; only relativity.
This emptiness, called shunyata, is sometimes called the Absolute because it includes all things and beings. It relates to the dharmakaya body of the Triyaka.
