The fascinating new book Naropa explains the underlying philosophy of Buddhism and its relevance today as a religion without a god or prophet, but rather a belief in self-reliance. The story takes place in the eleventh century, when India was subject to Turkish Muslim attack on the Indian Gangetic plain, in Kashmir, and in the Himalayan region.

Naropa is a Kashmir Brahmin and the abbot of Nalanda University. During a strange mystical experience, a hideous dakini informs him that his comprehension is only intellectual, and if he wants real insight, he should meet Tilopa.

Following this advice, Naropa abandons his university post and searches for the Mahasiddha Tilopa. It is not easy to find the Brahmin Tilopa, as he possesses miraculous powers, and never stays long in the same place. But Naropa finally locates him.

After twelve years of arduous training, Naropa gains Enlightenment, and in turn, imparts his transcendent wisdom to Marpa, the Tibetan. Though Nalanda, Vikramashila, and other Buddhist monasteries are destroyed in the Turkish Islamic invasion, Naropa's teachings survive in the Tibetan translations made by Marpa, Milarepa, and Gampopa.

In the past fifty years, these teachings have reached a world-wide audience in Nepal, India, the United States, Canada and Britain.

Swami Satyananda Giri has practiced Buddhist meditative exercises for over thirty years. He lives in Chennai, India, and is writing his next book on Mahatma Gandhi and the partition of India. He belongs to the Sri Gnanananda Tapovanam order of monks, Tirukoilur.