Question

Sequence of Characteristics of Pratītyasamutpāda as explained by Nāgārjuna is ____________. A. Anekārthaḥ
B. Anirodhaḥ
C. Aśāśvataḥ
D. Anutpādaḥ
E. Anucchedaḥ
Choose the correct answer from the options given below :

• A. A, B, E, C, D
• B. A, C, D, E, B
• C. D, C, B, A, E
• D. B, D, E, C, A

Hint:

Nāgārjuna’s “Eight Negations” are extremely important in Madhyamaka philosophy. They reject all extremes such as birth/death, permanence/destruction, and coming/going. Memorizing the opening verse of the Mūlamadhyamakakārikā helps in solving many Buddhism philosophy questions quickly.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Concept: Ācārya Nāgārjuna, the founder of the Madhyamaka school of Mahāyāna Buddhism, explained the nature of Pratītyasamutpāda (Dependent Origination) through a famous verse in the Mūlamadhyamakakārikā. In this verse, he described reality through a series of negations in order to remove all extreme philosophical views regarding existence, destruction, permanence, and identity. These characteristics are traditionally known as the “Eight Negations.”

Step 1: Understanding Nāgārjuna’s foundational verse. Nāgārjuna begins his text with the following celebrated verse: \[ \text{anirodham anutpādam anucchedam aśāśvatam} \] \[ \text{anekārtham anānārtham anāgamam anirgamam} \] This verse describes the true nature of dependent origination. Each term rejects an extreme philosophical position.
• Anirodham = No destruction or cessation
• Anutpādam = No origination or birth
• Anucchedam = No annihilation
• Aśāśvatam = No permanence or eternalism
• Anekārtham = No absolute unity or singularity Thus, the sequence given by Nāgārjuna follows a very precise order.

Step 2: Matching the Sanskrit terms with the letters given in the question. Now let us match the provided letters with the Sanskrit characteristics:
• B = Anirodhaḥ
• D = Anutpādaḥ
• E = Anucchedaḥ
• C = Aśāśvataḥ
• A = Anekārthaḥ

Step 3: Arranging the sequence according to Nāgārjuna’s verse. Following the canonical order of the verse: \[ \text{Anirodhaḥ} \rightarrow \text{Anutpādaḥ} \rightarrow \text{Anucchedaḥ} \rightarrow \text{Aśāśvataḥ} \rightarrow \text{Anekārthaḥ} \] Therefore, the correct sequence becomes: \[ \boxed{B, D, E, C, A} \]

Step 4: Philosophical significance of the sequence. Nāgārjuna intentionally arranged these negations to reject all metaphysical extremes:
• Anirodhaḥ rejects absolute destruction.
• Anutpādaḥ rejects independent origination.
• Anucchedaḥ rejects nihilistic annihilation.
• Aśāśvataḥ rejects eternal permanence.
• Anekārthaḥ rejects fixed singular identity. Through these negations, Nāgārjuna establishes the Middle Path (Madhyamā Pratipad) beyond all dualistic extremes.

Step 5: Final Conclusion. The sequence directly follows the opening verse of the Mūlamadhyamakakārikā. Hence, the correct arrangement is: \[ \boxed{B, D, E, C, A} \] Therefore, Option (4) is correct.