"Guenther is, in my opinion, one of the most exciting, most thought-provoking, and most learned interpreters of Buddhist philosophy and psychology in the world. I like the way he draws on the experiential vocabulary of phenomenology and hermeneutics to interpret an ancient and very precious Buddhist text so that it becomes highly relevant to contemporary currents of thought, not only in philosophy, but also in physics, biology, and psychology. This is the first English-language translation of this material. Significant as this is in itself, this translation also continues both to break new ground and to set a new standard for translation work in the field of Buddhist studies." — David Michael Levin, Northwestern University

"This work deals with very important materials as yet neglected in Western scholarship, and it does so in a typically (for Guenther) brilliant and insightful manner. It evidences interpretive sophistication and an instinct for contemporary relevance that is rare in Asian Studies books. Guenther is a thinker of the first order." — David Germano, University of Virginia

Foreword


Preface


Introduction


1. Abduction and Deliverance


2. Descent and Ascent


Epilogue


Bibliography


Index of Persons and Subjects


Index of Sanskrit Terms


Index of Tibetan Terms and Phrases