Nāgārjuna was an Indian scholar-monk, philosopher, and teacher of Mahayana Buddhism from south India. He is considered the founder of the Madhyamaka school.
Painting of Nāgārjuna (18th century)
A model of the Amaravati Stupa
A Tibetan depiction of Nagarjuna; the snakes are depicted as protectors around Nagarjuna's head and the nagas rising out of the water are offering Buddhist sutras.
Nicholas Roerich "Nagarjuna Conqueror of the Serpent" (1925)
Mahāyāna is the largest branch of Buddhism, followed by the older branch Theravada. It is a broad group of Buddhist traditions, texts, philosophies, and practices that developed in various regions and
Nagarjuna
…Sanskrit, from Nāga + Arjuna; Chn. Lóngshù 龍樹; Tib. Klu sgrub; c. 150 – c. 250 CE) was an Indian scholar-monk, philosopher, and teacher (acharya) of Mahayana Buddhism from south India. He is considered the founder of the Madhyamaka (Centrism, Middle Way) school. Nāgārjuna is widely considered to be the most important…
The Five Buddhas in Shishoin Temple (Tokyo). Mahāyāna holds there are multiple buddhas which one can interact with. These buddhas are also able to send manifestations to our world to teach and guide beings.
Mahāyāna Buddhist triad, including Bodhisattva Maitreya, the Buddha, and Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara. 2nd–3rd century CE, Gandhāra
An illustration in a manuscript of the Aṣṭasāhasrikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra from Nalanda, depicting the bodhisattva Maitreya, an important figure in Mahāyāna
Seated Avalokiteshvara bodhisattva. Gandharan, from Loriyan Tangai. Kushan period, 1st – 3rd century CE. Indian Museum, Calcutta