This work investigates how Buddhist traditions have historically constructed, categorized, and utilized gender and sexuality within religious narratives, iconography, and ritual practices. Serinity Young, a scholar of religion and anthropology, synthesizes over two millennia of textual and visual evidence to challenge monolithic interpretations of Buddhist morality. By examining the roles of courtesans and tantric consorts, she argues that these figures are not peripheral but central to understanding the complex interplay between asceticism and desire in Buddhist thought.

Scholars and students of religious studies frequently cite this text for its meticulous archival research and its nuanced approach to gendered power dynamics. Experts highlight the book as a significant contribution to the field for its ability to bridge the gap between historical doctrine and lived religious experience.