"Atisa Sri Dipankara-jnana, a great saint-philosopher of the 10th-11th century, almost forgotten in India over the past centuries, had been venerated as an outstanding personality in Asian countries and regions, especially north of the Himalyas for centuries. He is a shining symbol of peace, compassion, humanism, self sacrifice, harmony and amity who devoted his energies for preservation of Dhamma to Odantapuri, Vikarmasila, Sompuri, Nalanda and other universities and monastic complexes. He played a singular role in infusing wisdom and in the resurgence of Buddhism, laying a foundation of pure Buddhism in Tibet. Indian historians have not documented Atisa's life and legasy in India, Indonesia or Tibet. The m major source to study him is Tibetan historical chronicles collected over the past 100 years-accounts of the spiritual teacher's life found in 44 Tibetan texts-biographies, doctrinal works, catalogues and hymns written in his praise"--back flap.