Madhyamaka, also known as the "Middle Way" school of thought, is a prominent philosophy in Mahayana Buddhism. It was founded by the Indian philosopher Nagarjuna in the 2nd century CE and is based on the teachings of the Buddha.

The term "Madhyamaka" is derived from the Sanskrit word "madhya," which means "middle," and "maka," which means "path." This name reflects the central idea of the philosophy, which is to find a middle ground between the extreme views of existence and non-existence.

According to Madhyamaka, all phenomena, including ourselves, are empty of inherent nature or essence (śūnyatā). This means that nothing has an independent, permanent, or unchanging essence. Instead, everything is interdependent and constantly changing.

One of the key teachings of Madhyamaka is the concept of dependent origination. This is the idea that all things arise and exist due to causes and conditions, rather than having a separate and inherent existence. This includes the concept of the self, which is seen as a mere illusion.

Madhyamaka also emphasizes the importance of understanding the concept of emptiness (śūnyatā) in order to achieve enlightenment. Emptiness does not mean non-existence, but rather the lack of inherent existence. By understanding this, one can overcome attachment and aversion, which are seen as the root causes of suffering.

The philosophy of Madhyamaka also includes the concept of the Two Truths. The conventional truth refers to the everyday world that we experience, while the ultimate truth refers to the emptiness of all phenomena. These two truths are not contradictory but are different ways of understanding reality.

In summary, Madhyamaka is a philosophy that emphasizes the middle way between extreme views and the understanding of emptiness to achieve enlightenment. It is a profound and complex philosophy that continues to be studied and debated by Buddhist scholars and practitioners.