This book provides a practical introduction to the psychology of Bodhisattva practice，imagery and imagination through the 7 major archetypal bodhisattvas celebrated in East Asian Buddhism. Surveys of the iconography，basic Schools and teachings, colorful folklore，cultic historyand their primary liberative practices are presented for figures such as ‧ Manjushri，the sword-wielding prince of wisdom; ‧ Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion known as Chenrezig in Tibet，Kannon in Japan and Guanyin "Goddess of Mercy" in China; ‧ Jizo，the monk/earth mother guardian of the afterlife and of hell beings; ‧ Maitreya, the next future Buddha, celebrated in China in his incarnation as Hotei，the fat "laughing buddha"; ‧ Vimalakirti，trickster and vastly enlightened lay-disciple of the historical Buddha.
In addition，modern culture figures who exemplify aspects of the archetypal qualities, spiritual values and strategies of the different bodhisattvas are suggested，including persons ranging from Einstein，Dr. King，Gandhi and Mother Teresa, to Bob Dylan，Gloria Steinem，Muhammad Ali，Elie Weisel，Toni Morrison，Rachel Carson，Thomas Merton，Tom Jefferson，Helen Keller and Clint Eastwood.
