Kukai was a polymath who has achieved the status of demigod in popular legend: in part because of his virtuosity as a writer of Chinese, his books are too difficult to read by any but a very few scholars in Japan today. Hakeda's achievement in arriving at these lively and intelligible translations is of the highest order.

Hakeda was Associate Professor of Japanese in the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures and Associate Professor of Religion at Columbia University. Ryuichi Abe is the Reischauer Institute Professor of Japanese Religions in the Department of Eas Aisan Languages and Cultures at Harvard University.

Foreward, by Wm. Theodore de Bary
Preface
Introduction
Part One: Life of Kukai
1. Youth
2. Days of Crisis
3. Reunification and Quest
4. Encounter with Master Hui-Kuo
5. Priod of Trial
6. Rise to Eminence
7. Abhiseka Ceremonies at the Takaosanji
8. Founding of Mt. Koya
9. The Toji Period
10. Return to Mt. Koya
Part Two: Thought of Kukai
1. Exoteric Buddhism and Esoteric Buddhism
Exoteric versus Esorteric Buddhism
Esoteric Buddhism within Exoteric Buddhism
Shingon Buddhism, the Synthesis of Exoteric Buddhism
2. Essentials of Kukai's Esoteric Buddhist Thought and Practice
General Characteristics of Kukai's Esoteric Buddhist Thought
Dharmakaya Mahavairocana Tathagata
Kukai's Esoteric Buddhist Practice
Part Three: Major Works of Kukai
1. Indications of the Goals of the Three Teachings
2. A Memorial Presenting a List of Newly Imported Sutras and Other Items
3. The Difference Between Exoteric and Esoteric Buddhism
4. The Precious Key to the Secret Treasury
5. Attaining Enlightenment in this Very Existence
6. The Meanings of Sound, Word, and Reality
7. The Meanings of the Word Hum
8. The Secret Key to the Heart Sutra
Chronological Table
Selected Bibliography
Index