Human Development
Middle way
Description:
Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha, taught that the extremes of self indulgence and of severe scepticism and mortification of the flesh should both be avoided. His followers should follow a middle way. This is the widest sense of the term. For example, [Hinayana] Buddhism considers as the middle way the [aryastangamarga] (noble eightfold path) which leads to cessation of suffering through just such avoidance of extremes. However, different traditions of Buddhist refer to the "middle way" in more specific contexts:(i) [Madhyamaka] Buddhism - the "Middle Way" - treads a middle path between opposite positions, in particular between the existence or not of phenomena. It uses the "eight negations" to analyze phenomena logically.
(ii) [Yogacara] similarly refers to the middle way as neither accepting the existence of phenomena nor their non-existence (since what does not exist in reality may yet be the real basis of an idea).
(iii) [T'ien t'ai] Buddhism, again looking at the existence or non-existence of phenomena, refers to the middle way as the simultaneous recognition of the emptiness (dependent nature) of phenomena while conceding phenomenal existence if only of a temporary, passing nature.
(iv) As well as the existence or non-existence of phenomena, the middle way can be that between belief in the eternal, unchanging nature of phenomena (eternalism) and in the total destruction of phenomena (nihilism).
Related:
Chih-kuan