The essays gathered here discuss the nature of Buddhist religiosity, the Pure Land Mahayana understanding of human subjectivity, and living in light of the Fundamental Vow of Amida Budda.  There are also essays addressing such human concerns as suicide and the need for forgiveness.  Amid the wide range of topics, including Nietzsche and Shakespeare, the reader may discern a unifying concern with walking the Buddhist path to awakening and the work of liberation.