Svatantrika

Svatantrika is a term used in Buddhist philosophy to denote a sub-school of Madhyamaka that develops its analysis through autonomous syllogisms (svatantra) and conventional designations. The name, from Sanskrit svatantra meaning “self-supported” or “independently established,” signals a stance that relies on self-contained reasoning to establish certain conventional truths, while still upholding the central Madhyamaka claim that things lack intrinsic, independent existence.

Doctrinally, Svatantrikas hold that while all phenomena are empty of inherent existence, conventional phenomena can be described and inferred about through logically defensible theses. They use svatantra syllogisms to establish provisional or conventional truths (such as dependently originated phenomena and designated properties) as the basis for further analysis. In this sense, they accept a two-truth framework (conventional and ultimate) and allow positive theses at the conventional level, provided they are ultimately understood in light of emptiness.

Historically, the school is associated with Indian and Tibetan thinkers who argued for a middle way between naive realism and nihilistic denial. Bhavaviveka is one of the most frequently cited early Svatantrika, advocating the use of autonomous reasonings within Madhyamaka analysis. Later Tibetan scholars, including figures active in the transmission to Tibet, elaborated and debated the Svatantrika position, especially in relation to the Prasangika critique. The distinction between Svatantrika and Prasangika remains a central point of debate in Classical Madhyamaka literature, with Prasangikas emphasizing reductive reasoning and avoiding independent theses altogether.

Today, Svatantrika influence is noted in various Tibetan and East Asian commentaries on emptiness and dependent origination, where the balance between conventional reasoning and ultimate negation continues to be explored.