14. Nāgārjuna

Nāgārjuna, the Fourteenth Patriarch, is one of the most influential figures in Mahāyāna Buddhism. Born in Western India, he mastered the Dharma and famously authored the Madhyamika Śāstra. He taught that the Buddha-nature is neither born nor dying, transcending all dualities. He was known as the Dragon Conqueror for his deep insight. After converting thousands of heretics and transmitting the True Dharma-eye to his senior disciple Kanadeva, he entered a full moon samādhi and achieved final cessation.