Nagao invariably focuses on the core of Mahayana Buddhism--the path of the Bodhisattva, the doctrine of sunyata, and the system of Trisvabhava are explained.

Important technical terms used in the Mahayana textual tradition, whose exact understanding is imperative for the study of Mahayana Buddhism, are skillfully presented, making the book indispensable to scholars of Buddhist studies.

The Shiva Sutra was revealed to Vasugupta by Shiva in order to counter the effects of dualism. This revelation initiated the hermeneutics of syntheses and exegesis climaxed by the great Abhinavagupta. The Shiva Sutra is the most important scripture in the Trika system of Kashmir Shaivism. As a book on yoga, it explains the nature and cause of bondage and the means to liberation from bondage.

Bhaskara is in the direct lineage of Vasugupta. To Bhaskara's commentary, Mark Dyczkowski has added his translation of an anonymous commentary as an aid to understanding Bhaskara's interpretation....

Among the many spiritual traditions born and developed in India, Tantra has been the most difficult to define. Almost everything about it--its major characteristics, its sources, its relationships to other religions, even its practices--are debated among scholars. In addition, Tantrism is not confined to any particular religion, but is a set of beliefs and practices that appears in a variety of religions, including Hinduism and Buddhism. This book explores one of the most controversial aspects of Tantra, its sources or roots, specifically in regard to Hinduism. The essays focus on the history...