The Bodhicaryavatara is one of the best-loved Mahayana Buddhist texts. It tells of a noble ideal: a compassionate life lived for the well-being of the world. Through his uplifting verses the eighth-century monk and poet Shantideva outlines the training undertaken by one wishing to follow this vision[...]
Two tragic plays that break the rules: both show the hero dying on stage, a scenario forbidden in Sanskrit dramaturgy. King Harsha's play, composed in the seventh century, re-examines the Buddhist tale of a magician prince who makes the ultimate sacrifice to save a hostage snake (naga). The Shattere[...]