Madhyamaka, also known as the "Middle Way" philosophy, is a prominent school of thought in Mahayana Buddhism that was founded by the Indian philosopher Nagarjuna in the second century CE. At the core of Madhyamaka is the concept of śūnyatā, or emptiness, which refers to the lack of inherent nature or essence in all phenomena.

According to Madhyamaka, all phenomena, including ourselves, are empty of inherent nature. This means that they do not possess any fixed or permanent essence or self-nature. This concept of emptiness is not a nihilistic view that denies the existence of things, but rather a rejection of the concept of inherent existence or self-nature.

Madhyamaka explains the emptiness of inherent nature through the concept of dependent origination, which states that all phenomena arise dependently on causes and conditions. This means that nothing exists independently or inherently, but rather everything is interconnected and dependent on other factors for its existence.

In Madhyamaka, emptiness is not a separate or independent reality, but rather the true nature of all phenomena. It is not something that can be grasped or understood through conceptual thinking, as it goes beyond our dualistic way of understanding the world. Emptiness is not a positive or negative quality, but rather a negation of inherent existence.

To further explain the emptiness of inherent nature, Madhyamaka uses the concept of the Two Truths. According to this concept, there are two levels of truth - conventional truth and ultimate truth. Conventional truth refers to the conventional or relative reality that we experience through our senses and conceptual thinking. Ultimate truth, on the other hand, refers to the ultimate reality that is beyond our conceptual understanding and is empty of inherent nature.

Madhyamaka also emphasizes the importance of understanding emptiness in relation to the concept of self. The belief in a fixed and inherent self is the root of suffering and ignorance, according to Madhyamaka. By understanding the emptiness of self, we can let go of our attachment to a fixed identity and see ourselves as interconnected with all phenomena.

In conclusion, Madhyamaka explains the emptiness of inherent nature through the concept of dependent origination, the Two Truths, and the understanding of self. Emptiness is not a negative or nihilistic view, but rather a profound insight into the true nature of reality. By understanding emptiness, we can free ourselves from suffering and see the interconnectedness of all things.