Included in this accessible and thorough guide are: the main figures encountered by Westerners; principle figures from the major Tibetan Buddhist traditions; the meaning and purpose of mantras, sacred symbols, colours and art; a clear account of Buddhist visualization practice and how it works; practical advice on approaching a spiritual teacher, initiation and taking up a visualization practice; and over 50 figures including the five Buddhas of the mandala, three family protectors, long-life Buddhas, Purification Buddha, Buddhas of Wisdom and Compassion, female Buddhas, Sky-Dancers, wrathful deities, historical Buddha and Buddha of the future.