This work on Buddhist art illustrates the sculptural history of Buddhas and bodhisattva images in ancient Nepal. It deals with the Buddhist aesthetic foundation through the stone images, which rendered archaeological interpretation apart from traditional speculation.
This book accredits to Buddhist aestheticism on anceint stones of Mauryan age to Licchavi icons as symbolic and iconic adoration of Buddhas and bodhisattvas in Nepal. Those pre-Licchavi and Licchavi aestheticism in Buddhist arts of historic devotions which transpired from early sacerdotal culture around 879 AD, the beginning of the New Era of Nepal Sambat, to landmark the rudiments of Newar art.

Head of Central Department of Buddhist Studies, Tribhuvan University, Dr. Milan Ratna Shakya is a former academician of Royal Nepal Academy during 2004 - 2007. He is the author of Ganesa in Medieval Nepal (2006) and The Cult of Bhairava in Nepal (2008) both published by Rupa & Co., New Delhi. His forthcoming books are Cultural Aestheticism of Durga in Nepal, Manjusri Cult of Nepal Valley, and Buddhist Aestheticism in Asvaghosa's Saundarananda. Ancient Stone Images of Buddha and Bodhisattva in Nepal is the outcome of the Dhanavajra Vajracharya Fellowship Dr. Milan obtained in 2007.