Editing Nyaya (section)

=== Nyāya and Buddhist Logic ===
Another significant area of influence was in the domain of logic. Nyāya's formal system of [[inference]] (anumāna) directly impacted Buddhist logic, especially in the works of scholars like [[Dharmakīrti]]. Nyāya's focus on hetu (reasoning or cause) and the structure of valid arguments was adopted and modified by Buddhists in their development of [[Buddhist logico-epistemology|logical proofs]] ([[pramāṇa]]) to support doctrines like [[impermanence]] and [[Anātman (Hinduism)|non-self]].

In the '''Pramāṇavārttika''', [[Dharmakīrti]] reinterpreted Nyāya’s logical tools to fit within Buddhist metaphysical views. For example, Nyāya’s approach to [[inference]] was used to argue against essentialist doctrines by showing that all phenomena are dependent on causes and conditions (dependent origination), rather than existing inherently ([[svabhāva]]). In [[Mādhyamika]] philosophy, [[Nāgārjuna]] and [[Śāntideva]] also employed logic and dialectical reasoning, heavily influenced by Nyāya, to argue against Nyāya’s own concept of an unchanging self.