Originally published in 1973.

The volume is divided into four sections:

1. The introduction places the position of the Buddhist Tantras within Mahayana Buddhism and recalls their early literary history, especially the Guhyasamahatantra; the section also covers Buddhist Genesis and the Tantric tradition.
2. The foundations of the Buddhist Tantras are discussed and the Tantric presentation of divinity; the preparation of disciples and the meaning of initiation; symbolism of the mandala-palace Tantric ritual and the twilight language.
3. This section explores the Tantric teachings of the inner Zodiac and the fivefold ritual symbolism of passion.
4. The bibliographical research contains an analysis of the Tantric section of the Kanjur exegesis and a selected Western Bibliography of the Buddhist Tantras with comments.

Heinrich Zimmer

Part 1 The Highest Good; Chapter 01 The Meeting of East and West; Chapter 02 The Foundations of Indian Philosophy; Part 02 The Philosophies of Time; Chapter 03 The Philosophy of Success; Chapter 04 The Philosophy of Pleasure; Chapter 05 The Philosophy of Duty; Part 03 The Philosophies of Eternity; Chapter 06 Jainism; Chapter 07 S??khya and Yoga; Chapter 08 Br?hmanism; Chapter 09 Buddhism; Chapter 10 Tantra;