1. Introduction: Buddhism as a Pragmatic Religious Tradition2. Stupas and Spouses: The Shrngabheri Avadana3. Merchants, Demonesses, and Missionary Faith: The Simhalasarthabahu Avadana4. Devotions to a Celestial Bodhisattva: The Tara Vrata5. Invoking the Powers of the Buddhist “Dark Lord”: The Caturdashi Vrata of Mahakala6. The Refuge of Recitation: The Pañcaraksa7. Summary and Conclusions
