Forward / Gregory Schopen -- Preface -- Chapter 1. Introduction: Buddhism as a Pragmatic Religious Tradition : Popular Narratives and their "Domestication" in Buddhist Communities ; The Development of Buddhist Ritualism ; The Ritual Innovations of Mahayana Buddhism ; Nepal and Newar Buddhism ; The Context and Paradoxes of Modernity -- Chapter 2. Stupas and Spouses: The Shrngabheri Avadana : Background ; Translation ; The Domestication of the Text ; Observations on the History of Practical Buddhism -- Chapter 3. Merchants, Demonesses, and Missionary Faith: The Simhalasarthabahu Avadana : Background ; Translation ; The Domestication of the Text ; Observations on the History of Practical Buddhism -- Chapter 4. Devotions to a Celestial Bodhisattva: The Tara Vrata : Background ; Translation ; The Domestication of the Text -- Chapter 5. Invoking the Powers of the Buddhist "Dark Lord": The Caturdashi Vrata of Mahakala : Background ; Translation ; The domestication of the Text ; Vratas and the the History of Practical Buddhism -- Chapter 6. The Refuge of Recitation: The Pancaraksa : Buddhism amid Disease in the Premodern World ; Background ; Translation ; The Domestication of the Pancaraksa Texts ; Observations on the History of Practical Buddhism -- Summary and Conclusions -- Notes -- Bibliography -- Index.