Nagarjuna is hailed as the founder of the Middle Path in Mahayana Buddhism. He was probably one of the most prominent Buddhist thinkers after Gautama Buddha. Presumably born in Andhra Pradesh, South India into a Brahmin family he later converted to Buddhism. His writings formed the foundation of the Madhyamaka School. These scholarly writings were sent to Chins under the name of Three Treatise or Sanlun School. The Prajnaparamita sutras were also developed by him. Nagarjuna was closely associated with the University of Nalanda.

His writings reveal that he was well conversed with the doctrines of the Nikaya School. Though the influence is apparent but there are not enough proofs to establish the connection. He was however predominantly a Mahayanist. In Buddhism he is also seen someone who has both the qualities of a human and the naga (snake). In Indian tradition the naga is responsible for rain and other water bodies. In Buddhism this term refers to wise person (arahant) or even an elephant.

It is said that Nagarjuna had written a number of religious texts. There is a lot of ambiguity regarding how many books he had written in his lifetime. But it has been unanimously agreed that Mulamadhyamakakarika has been written by Nagarjuna. This text contains the fundamental verses or principles on the middle way in Buddhism.

Nagarjuna is primarily remembered for his contribution to the Buddhist philosophy. He developed further the concept of emptiness or sunyata. This doctrine is also related to the concepts of anatta and dependent origination. He is also believed to develop the two-truth doctrine. According to this philosophy there are two levels of truth. One is the ultimate truth and the other is the conventional truth or the upaya. In Kaccayanagotta Sutta Nagarjuna describes the doctrine in details.

According to legends, Buddha had prophesied that there would come another sage after him who would clear away all the confusions about the Buddha Dhamma. In Buddhism Nagarjuna is considered that person. He is also referred to as the Second Buddha. He is also referred to as a part of the Six Scholarly Ornaments. This group also include Aryadeva, Asanga, Vasubandhu, Dignaga, and Dharmakirti.

Nagarjuna`s death is also associated with several legends. While some say that he spent his last days meditating at Shri Parvatha Mountain other are of the opinion that Nagarjuna was killed by his opponent. However, the teachings of Nagarjuna are still widely followed by Mahayana Buddhists.