ABSTRACT
The cornerstone of Bhāvaviveka’s philosophy is that conventionally, all phenomena are intrinsically real. They are established as such by the non-analytical cognitions of ordinary beings. Ultimately all phenomena are intrinsically unreal. They are established as such from the perspective of exalted analytical cognition. Bhāvaviveka advances his view by the conditionality argument, if there is intrinsic reality it must be found in the four elements, of which all things are composed. But it cannot be – each element is empty of intrinsic reality since it is conditioned by the causal factors necessary for their coming into existence.
