Fundamental Verses on the Middle Way (XVIII) — by Nagarjuna

XVIII.1. If the individual self (atma) were identical to the “groups” (skandha), then it would partake of origination and destruction.
If the individual self were different from the “groups,” then it would be without the characteristics of the “groups.”

XVIII.2. If the individual self does not exist, how then will there be something which is “my own”?
There is lack of possessiveness and no ego on account of the cessation of self and that which is “my own.”

XVIII.3. He who is without possessiveness and who has no ego — He, also, does not exist.
Whoever sees “he who is without possessiveness” or “he who has no ego” really does not see.

XVIII.4. When “I” and “mine” have stopped, then also there is not an outside nor an inner self.
The “acquiring” of karma (upadana) is stopped; on account of that destruction, there is destruction of verse existence.

XVIII.5-6. On account of the destruction of the pains (klesa) of action there is release for pains of action exist for him who constructs them.
These pains result from phenomenal extension (prapanca); but this phenomenal extension comes to a stop by emptiness.

XVIII.7. When the domain of thought has been dissipated, “that which can be stated” is dissipated.
Those things which are un-originated and not terminated, like nirvana, constitute the Truth (dharmata).

XVIII.8. Everything is “actual” (tathyam) or “not-actual,” or both “acts actual-and-not-actual,”
Or “neither-actual-nor-not-actual”:
This is the teaching of the Buddha.

XVIII.9. “Not caused by something else,” “peaceful,” “not elaborated by discursive thought,”
“Indeterminate,” “undifferentiated”: such are the characteristics of true reality (tattva).

XVIII.10. Whatever exists, being dependent on something else, is certainly not identical to that other thing,
Nor is a thing different from that; therefore, it is neither destroyed nor eternal.

XVIII.11. The immortal essence of the teaching of the Buddhas, the lords of the world, is
Without singleness or multiplicity; it is not destroyed nor is it eternal.

XVIII.12. If fully-developed Buddhas do not arise in the world and the disciples of the Buddha disappear,
Then, independently, the knowledge of the self-produced enlightened ones (Pratyekabuddha) is produced.

Source: Orientalia