Ever since the time when we began in Italy our studies in Oriental Philosophy, we have always felt particularly attracted to the Mandukya Upanisad which seemed to us to resume in itself what is perhaps the best of the religious doctrine of the upanisads. We took up its study also because this text seemed to us to contain notable metaphysical implications and complex historical questions. Our research work, therefore, has not been inspired by mere academic interest but by a sincere metaphysical concern and by the necessity, so keenly felt nowadays in the west, of a philosophic-religious dialogue between the West and the East.