Who among the following was associated with the formulation of the basic ideas of the Mahayana Buddhism?

Nagarjuna (ca. 150–250 CE) is widely regarded as the most influential Buddhist philosopher after the Buddha and the primary figure associated with the formulation of Mahayana Buddhism's basic ideas [1]. He founded the Madhyamaka (Middle Way) school, which established the doctrine of 'Sunyata' or emptiness as a cornerstone of Mahayana thought. His seminal work, the Mulamadhyamakakarika, redefined Buddhist philosophy by harmonizing concepts like dependent origination and non-self. While the Mahayana tradition began emerging around the 1st century BCE, Nagarjuna's systematic philosophical defense provided the intellectual framework that allowed it to flourish [1]. Although Kanishka was a significant patron who convened the Fourth Buddhist Council where Sanskrit was adopted, it was Nagarjuna who formulated the core philosophical tenets [1]. Other figures like Kashyapa Matanga were instrumental in spreading Buddhism to China rather than formulating its primary doctrines.

Sources

1. [1] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 6: Polity and Society in Post-Mauryan Period > Art and Literature > p. 82