Nagarjuna (c. 150 – c. 250 CE) is widely considered one of the most important Buddhist philosophers after
Gautama Buddha. Along with his disciple
Aryadeva, he is considered to be the founder of the
Madhyamaka school of
Mahayana Buddhism. Nagarjuna is also credited with developing the philosophy of the
Prajñaparamita sutras and, in some sources, with having revealed these scriptures in the world, having recovered them from the
nagas (snake-people). Furthermore, he is traditionally supposed to have written several treatises on
rasayana as well as serving a term as the head of
Nalanda.