Shantideva, one of the most prominent exponents of the Mahayana teachings, lived in India in the 7th? 8th centuries. His two most famous works are "Bodhisattva-charya-avatara" and "Shikshasamuchaya" (Collection of Practices). The "Collection of Practices" is a selection of key fragments from the sutras, which are thematically organized around 27 original caricas (stanzas) written by Shantideva. The book thus provides authoritative answers to all major questions concerning Buddhist spiritual practice and theory.