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Buddha #8
Buddha, Vol. 8: Jetavana
Osamu Tezuka's vaunted storytelling genius, consummate skill at visual expression, and warm humanity blossom fully in his eight-volume epic of Siddhartha's life and times. Tezuka evidences his profound grasp of the subject by contextualizing the Buddha's ideas; the emphasis is on movement, action, emotion, and conflict as the prince Siddhartha runs away from home, travels across India, and questions Hindu practices such as ascetic self-mutilation and caste oppression. Rather than recommend resignation and impassivity, Tezuka's Buddha predicates enlightenment upon recognizing the interconnectedness of life, having compassion for the suffering, and ordering one's life sensibly. Philosophical segments are threaded into interpersonal situations with ground-breaking visual dynamism by an artist who makes sure never to lose his readers' attention.
Tezuka himself was a humanist rather than a Buddhist, and his magnum opus is not an attempt at propaganda. Hermann Hesse's novel or Bertolucci's film is comparable in this regard; in fact, Tezuka's approach is slightly irreverent in that it incorporates something that Western commentators often eschew, namely, humor.
Tezuka himself was a humanist rather than a Buddhist, and his magnum opus is not an attempt at propaganda. Hermann Hesse's novel or Bertolucci's film is comparable in this regard; in fact, Tezuka's approach is slightly irreverent in that it incorporates something that Western commentators often eschew, namely, humor.
364 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1983
About the author
Osamu Tezuka
2,151 books1,210 followersDr. Osamu Tezuka (
手塚治虫
) was a Japanese manga artist, animator, producer and medical doctor, although he never practiced medicine. Born in Osaka Prefecture, he is best known as the creator of Astro Boy and Kimba the White Lion. He is often credited as the "Father of Anime", and is often considered the Japanese equivalent to Walt Disney, who served as a major inspiration during his formative years. His prolific output, pioneering techniques, and innovative redefinitions of genres earned him such titles as "the father of manga" and "the God of Manga."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 183 reviews
February 26, 2023
The finale.
It has some heart breaking stuff in it where Buddha starts to question whether he's made an impact at all. I believe the message is something like, well it's gonna take awhile for the Buddha's messages to have an impact. It won't change everything in one generation, but some 2500 years later and his messaging is becoming more popular than ever with a lot more people on this side of the globe taking note.
This final volume was everything I needed.
I did want a few more pages of buddhist scripture thrown in.
It has some heart breaking stuff in it where Buddha starts to question whether he's made an impact at all. I believe the message is something like, well it's gonna take awhile for the Buddha's messages to have an impact. It won't change everything in one generation, but some 2500 years later and his messaging is becoming more popular than ever with a lot more people on this side of the globe taking note.
This final volume was everything I needed.
I did want a few more pages of buddhist scripture thrown in.
February 18, 2012
Undoubtedly Tezuka's masterpiece. A Tour de force both graphicly and in its storytelling. It is a bit like the Bible for kids, which it's what most westerners are when it comes to Buddhism. Tezuka's silly jokes can get a little annoying and they break the dramatism of the narrative, but I guess he was trying to cater to his younger readership.
April 19, 2018
And so I have come to the last of the 8 books, Buddha, Jetavana. Osamu Tezuka has mostly done well by his readers and the ending is at minimum honest. What we know that Buddha may have not, is that his presence and his message has survived and spread, but has the example of Buddhism changed humanity? Throughout the series, Buddha has been faced with temptations. The usuals, women, power family loyalties and of course he does not fall. In the last book he will face the real challenges. What is his legacy and what is the human condition? Tezuka has Buddha coming to some conclusions and it is up to use to follow or not.
The art work in book eight stays with the mix of beautiful particularly his rendering of nature and the cartoonist, particularly some of his humans. Tezuka continues to love anachronisms, but he is not dependent on them. The violence in this book was forewarned and is in service to the notion of making The Buddha face some of the consequences of his decisions and in the truth of human failings.
The questions to me are: Do I think I have been exposed to more than a basic education in the beliefs and practices of Buddhism? My guess is: no. My interest has been fed, but not sated. Have I been exposed to an honest version of the history of Buddha? I suspect the answer is no, but it is on me to learn more; to find how much in the books is consistent with the Japanese understanding of the travels of The Buddha.
My suspicion is that the series is intended to be more an entertainment than an enlightenment. If so Tezuka has achieved his goal. The stories and especially the ending are worth the journey. More than this it can kindle and interest in a more serious effort to learn.
The art work in book eight stays with the mix of beautiful particularly his rendering of nature and the cartoonist, particularly some of his humans. Tezuka continues to love anachronisms, but he is not dependent on them. The violence in this book was forewarned and is in service to the notion of making The Buddha face some of the consequences of his decisions and in the truth of human failings.
The questions to me are: Do I think I have been exposed to more than a basic education in the beliefs and practices of Buddhism? My guess is: no. My interest has been fed, but not sated. Have I been exposed to an honest version of the history of Buddha? I suspect the answer is no, but it is on me to learn more; to find how much in the books is consistent with the Japanese understanding of the travels of The Buddha.
My suspicion is that the series is intended to be more an entertainment than an enlightenment. If so Tezuka has achieved his goal. The stories and especially the ending are worth the journey. More than this it can kindle and interest in a more serious effort to learn.
March 6, 2009
Recently completed this series from Osamu Tezuka who has had a bigger impact on my twin boys than Dr. Seuss at this point. At times a little tricky, discussing ascetics with adults can be a challenge, much less with 6-year olds.
But an appreciation for suffering/beauty of life was not lost on kids who are almost biologically/socialogically encoded as hedonists at this point and this place on this planet. There are a lot of aspects to the Siddartha-Buddha canon that I just never knew. For the kids, Tatta especially his animal-mind melding and Assagi (snot-nosed seer into the future) were just some of the hits.
A fair number of king-prince father-son conflicts as well, which in hindsight I find intriguing. But the embracing of those who would persecute you approach of Buddha is inspiring even to kids who have yet to meet their first bully. And the explosion of classes, from the shudra to the brahmin, well that's a lesson that always bears repeating.
Anyways, after Astro Boy and Black Jack and the first two Phoenix collections, I was not sure about undertaking this with the twins, but I am sure glad I did. Tezuka is a great story-teller and his style of art works well with the kids. They get a kick of out the recurring pig-faces and the occasional insertion of other characters (Black Jack, E.T. and even Tezuka-san himself).
Graphic novels and manga still seem like a great way to work with kids on complex topics/vocabulary in a very eye-catching medium! I'm always looking for other ones like this and the Bone series.
But an appreciation for suffering/beauty of life was not lost on kids who are almost biologically/socialogically encoded as hedonists at this point and this place on this planet. There are a lot of aspects to the Siddartha-Buddha canon that I just never knew. For the kids, Tatta especially his animal-mind melding and Assagi (snot-nosed seer into the future) were just some of the hits.
A fair number of king-prince father-son conflicts as well, which in hindsight I find intriguing. But the embracing of those who would persecute you approach of Buddha is inspiring even to kids who have yet to meet their first bully. And the explosion of classes, from the shudra to the brahmin, well that's a lesson that always bears repeating.
Anyways, after Astro Boy and Black Jack and the first two Phoenix collections, I was not sure about undertaking this with the twins, but I am sure glad I did. Tezuka is a great story-teller and his style of art works well with the kids. They get a kick of out the recurring pig-faces and the occasional insertion of other characters (Black Jack, E.T. and even Tezuka-san himself).
Graphic novels and manga still seem like a great way to work with kids on complex topics/vocabulary in a very eye-catching medium! I'm always looking for other ones like this and the Bone series.
February 28, 2015
am ende der reise angelangt ist am ende des buches nicht nur buddha, sondern auch der leser dieses achtbändigen mammutwerkes, das besser als jedes andere kompendium, das ich jemals gelesen habe, die probleme und wertigkeiten religiösen lebens und handelns schildert. es ist ja nicht das ziel (das es ja gar nicht gibt), sondern der weg, auf den es ankommt... und eben all das, was man auf diesem weg macht, wen man trifft, verliert, wieder trifft, usw. usf. mehr noch als ein buch über einen religionsgründer ist es ein werk über das leben selbst.
beeindruckend dabei ist die ausgewogene mischung aus emotional nahegehender erzählung, tiefen spirituellen erkenntnissen und ewigen wahrheiten...verbunden mit albernen anachronismen und den erwartbaren, typischen mangaelementen.
alles das passt zusammen, unterhält, bewegt, macht spaß, erzählt... ohne zu ermüden.
ich neige mein haupt vor diesem großen werk und empfehle es: jedem.
beeindruckend dabei ist die ausgewogene mischung aus emotional nahegehender erzählung, tiefen spirituellen erkenntnissen und ewigen wahrheiten...verbunden mit albernen anachronismen und den erwartbaren, typischen mangaelementen.
alles das passt zusammen, unterhält, bewegt, macht spaß, erzählt... ohne zu ermüden.
ich neige mein haupt vor diesem großen werk und empfehle es: jedem.
March 27, 2013
I had been wanting to read the whole Buddha series for a long time and was so glad that I did. So this review will be for all the 8 volumes. This is the second "book" I read about the life of Siddartha Gautama and this one was a lot different from the first (Herman Hesse's Siddartha). It was funny sometimes and would mix modern cultural elements to the story for a fun edge. I would recommend it even for children because it tells stories of death and suffering but it was always in a lighter shade and with a purpose.
January 18, 2012
Akhirnya menitikkan air mata lagi setelah terakhir kali di buku ke-1... T__T
Gak malu mengakui, karena kalau memang kepengen banget nangis gara-gara baca buku, ya bacalah buku ke-8 ini.Selain juga, bacalah buku-bukunya Om Khaled Hosseini.
Adegan yang paling menakjubkan di buku ini sebenarnya sama (persis!) dengan adegan di buku pertama. Tapi maknanya agak berbeda sekarang karena saya telah mendapat pencerahan! (halah! x3)
Aaargh! Buku terakhir! *manyun lagi*
Biar bagaimanapun, tetap merasa sedih karena serial komik/manga ini akhirnya harus berakhir juga... :(
Untuk kali ini, tidak ada sinopsis!
Berhubung ini buku terakhir, pada dasarnya semua loose ends akan terjawab, khususnya mengenai nasib para tokoh-tokoh utama.
Apa makna dari "Jetawana" yang menjadi judul dari buku terakhir ini?
Rencana jahat apa yang telah dipersiapkan Dewadatta yang berniat menyingkirkan Buddha untuk selama-lamanya?
Apa yang terjadi pada Naradatta yang telah berpuluh-puluh tahun hidup sebagai binatang?
Mungkinkah Pangeran Kristal akhirnya menjadi baik?
Berhasilkah Tatta membalas dendam pada Kerajaan Kosala? Bagaimana dengan Migaila dan anak-anak mereka?
Bagaimana nasib Pangeran Ajatassatu? Apakah dia memang membunuh ayahnya seperti yang telah diramalkan Assaji?
Siapa yang akhirnya meneruskan ajaran Buddha? Ananda-kah? Dhepa? Kakak beradik Kassapa? Yatala? Ataukah memang Sariputta dan Moggallana seperti yang telah direncanakan Buddha?
Lalu tentang Buddha sendiri? Bagaimanakah hidupnya akhirnya berakhir?
Dan pada akhirnya, apa makna "kehidupan" dan "kematian"?
Semuanya terjawab di buku ini.
"Semua kehidupan itu suci...
Kita semua adalah saudara sederajat di dalam rumah alam semesta.
Ingatlah selalu."
(hal. 303 & 309)
Bravo Buddha!
Bravo Osamu Tezuka!
:*)
Gak malu mengakui, karena kalau memang kepengen banget nangis gara-gara baca buku, ya bacalah buku ke-8 ini.
Adegan yang paling menakjubkan di buku ini sebenarnya sama (persis!) dengan adegan di buku pertama. Tapi maknanya agak berbeda sekarang karena saya telah mendapat pencerahan! (halah! x3)
Aaargh! Buku terakhir! *manyun lagi*
Biar bagaimanapun, tetap merasa sedih karena serial komik/manga ini akhirnya harus berakhir juga... :(
Untuk kali ini, tidak ada sinopsis!
Berhubung ini buku terakhir, pada dasarnya semua loose ends akan terjawab, khususnya mengenai nasib para tokoh-tokoh utama.
Apa makna dari "Jetawana" yang menjadi judul dari buku terakhir ini?
Rencana jahat apa yang telah dipersiapkan Dewadatta yang berniat menyingkirkan Buddha untuk selama-lamanya?
Apa yang terjadi pada Naradatta yang telah berpuluh-puluh tahun hidup sebagai binatang?
Mungkinkah Pangeran Kristal akhirnya menjadi baik?
Berhasilkah Tatta membalas dendam pada Kerajaan Kosala? Bagaimana dengan Migaila dan anak-anak mereka?
Bagaimana nasib Pangeran Ajatassatu? Apakah dia memang membunuh ayahnya seperti yang telah diramalkan Assaji?
Siapa yang akhirnya meneruskan ajaran Buddha? Ananda-kah? Dhepa? Kakak beradik Kassapa? Yatala? Ataukah memang Sariputta dan Moggallana seperti yang telah direncanakan Buddha?
Lalu tentang Buddha sendiri? Bagaimanakah hidupnya akhirnya berakhir?
Dan pada akhirnya, apa makna "kehidupan" dan "kematian"?
Semuanya terjawab di buku ini.
"Semua kehidupan itu suci...
Kita semua adalah saudara sederajat di dalam rumah alam semesta.
Ingatlah selalu."
(hal. 303 & 309)
Bravo Buddha!
Bravo Osamu Tezuka!
:*)
September 10, 2016
The conclusion of humanist Tezuka's manga Buddha saga, and it does not disappoint, with lots of dramatic and surprising turns (there's a lot Buddha had to face in the last years, terrible tragedies that made him question his faith, for instance), but much enlightenment for the reader, finally. I've said a lot about previous volumes, so won't say much here, except maybe to remark that this particular religion is very stripped down to a few simple principles. Remember: all things are connected. Seems sort of relevant now, yes? Treat all living beings, treat the planet as you would want to be treated, with empathy, caring, love. Some thoughts on death/karma come up in this one… and humor, always, proves necessary in the context of such a serious subject; he never forgets that (and always is just crossing the line of manga silliness for me at times)... I like his meta-commentary through out the volumes, little moments where he talks of himself or manga... funny light touches... Great series of books, incredibly ambitious in its scope and artistic vision. Masterpiece.
April 6, 2008
This serves as a review of the entire eight volumes of this astounding work--a masterpiece. For someone who has sometimes too readily stereotyped Buddhism as spacey and new agey, this was an eye opener. Siddhartha's story is just as much a concrete narrative as Jesus's or Muhammad's. But his path is more firmly based on earth, in the here and now, rather than in a paradise to come. "It's in the heart of man," Osamu Tezuka has Buddha say, "that God exists!" And it's in the real and day-to-day world that Tezuka places "Buddha," with its manga-cartoon figures making humorous asides and references to pop culture while they wander through landscapes pulled from the heights of Asian art.
December 11, 2007
I can’t stop reading it from the first volume. Through Buddha, Tezuka taught me the way of life in a very simple way. This book reminds me that everything that we do will come back to us. So, be good..and many good things will come to you :)
September 3, 2019
An epic masterpiece by tezuka,combining beautiful artwork,philosophy ,manga third wall breaking humor. A must read for all to lead a better life. thoroughly enjoyed it.It gave me a chance to reevaluate my life and lead a better life.
November 22, 2016
C'est la fin! A really amazing series with beautiful illustrations.
August 17, 2024
Istinsko remek djelo. Nezaobilazno štivo za sve ljubitelje stripa i mange, ali i one koji istražuju pojam ljudskosti, patnje i sretnog, ispunjenog života.
Najtoplija preporuka.
Najtoplija preporuka.
December 30, 2007
I feel almost guilty, listing this as 8 books, when it's really one 3200-page epic story.
I don't have much to say by way of review except that it's amazing. I had a little trouble following which character was which, across different royal families and time periods, and that got even worse once everyone shaved their heads, but I managed well enough. And similar to my complaints with Barefoot Gen, I found the cartoony moments and instances of breaking down the fourth wall to detract from the gravity of the story, but that's got to be a cultural thing. But even these flaws are minor. This is an epic journey, well-told and illustrated.
I don't have much to say by way of review except that it's amazing. I had a little trouble following which character was which, across different royal families and time periods, and that got even worse once everyone shaved their heads, but I managed well enough. And similar to my complaints with Barefoot Gen, I found the cartoony moments and instances of breaking down the fourth wall to detract from the gravity of the story, but that's got to be a cultural thing. But even these flaws are minor. This is an epic journey, well-told and illustrated.
May 26, 2016
483 B.C. ... that's the year Gautama Buddha is said to have died. More than 2000 years later Buddhism has spread across the world, touching the hearts of people in China, Japan, various other parts of Asia as well as Europe and America. That's because it teaches "How people ought to live": the foundation of love for one's fellows. Buddha will always be following the outcome of that teaching, from somewhere in nature's grand bosom.
And so the journey ends. It has been an interesting saga stretched over eight books and the story meanders from one character to the other a little but it is amazing and covers all range of emotions t0 life and death.
And so the journey ends. It has been an interesting saga stretched over eight books and the story meanders from one character to the other a little but it is amazing and covers all range of emotions t0 life and death.
January 29, 2018
I fitting end to the books, I assume they are some accurate, if so they present a very human vision of who Buddha was (which is probably closer to the truth). This set of books definitely made Buddha a human deing and not a diety. They did not distrack us from the any truth in his teachings. The whole series (if somewhat true--I cannot tell) gives the context of Buddha within India which was ineresting to read.
January 31, 2019
At 4.5/5 stars, 'Jetavana' is a solid read and a satisfactory (if a bit rushed) ending to the Buddha series. I was a bit sad to put this book down since the series was over, but the Buddha series has been a wonderful and compelling read. Some parts of the ending may be shocking, but others would certainly be expected. Two thumbs up.
May 17, 2012
I'm sad it's over...I loved it a lot...
August 4, 2024
Brief and Quick review buat delapan volume komik Buddha karya Osamu Tezuka yang kubaca.
Delapan komik yang dianggap sebagai salah satu mahakarya Osamu Tezuka, sang dewa manga, ini menceritakan kisah hidup Siddharta Gautama atau yang kemudian dikenal sebagai Buddha dari sejak ia lahir hingga meninggal.
Ceritanya tentang kehidupan Buddha-nya sendiri baru benar-benar dimulai pada jilid kedua. Di jilid pertama, Osamu Tezuka membangun cerita dengan memperlihatkan tokoh-tokoh fiksi untuk memperlihatkan betapa kejamnya akibat dari sistem kasta di India.
Para tokoh fiksi itu adalah Tatta, bocah paria yang punya kekuatan memindahkan rohnya untuk merasuki tubuh para hewan. Ada Chapra, seorang sudra (kaum budak) yang ingin naik kasta dengan menjadi anak angkat Panglima Kerajaan Kosala demi mengangkat harkat nasib ibunya,
Ada juga Anandatta, seorang brahmana yang kemudian bertemu dengan Tatta dan lalu dikutuk oleh gurunya sendiri (Guru Asita) hingga harus menghabiskan nyaris seluruh sisa hidupnya dengan hidup seperti hewan liar karena telah menyebabkan kematian banyak hewan demi menyelamatkan Chapra yang terkena racun.
Chapra dan ibunya adalah budak dari seorang saudagar kaya. Ketika ditugaskan untuk mengantar kain barang dagangan, Chapra dirampok oleh gerombolan preman cilik yang dipimpin oleh Tatta. Karena kehilangan kain barang dagangan yang sangat berharga, Chapra dihajar oleh majikannya. Sang majikan mengancam akan menjual ibu Chapra jika ia tak bisa mendapatkan kembali kain-kain itu dalam waktu tiga hari.
Maka Chapra pun mendatangi pemukiman kaum Paria untuk menuntut Tatta mengembalikan kain-kain itu. Paria adalah kaum yang tak memiliki kasta. Statusnya bahkan lebih rendah daripada sudra yang dianggap seperti hewan. Para kaum paria digambarkan berkeliaran di jalan-jalan tanpa baju.
Chapra akhirnya dihajar gerombolan Tatta. Tapi melihat kegigihan Chapra yang berteriak bahwa ia harus mendapatkan kembali kain-kain itu agar ibunya tidak dijual, Tatta akhirnya membawa Chapra ke gubuknya. Di gubuk itu, Chapra tinggal Bersama kakak dan ibunya. Rupanya Tatta sudah memberikan kain-kain itu kepada keluarganya.
Kakak Tatta menolak mengembalikan kain itu dan berkata, "Kaum Brahmana mengambil dari para raja (kaum Kesatria). Kaum Kesatria mengambil dari para pedagang (kaum Waisya). Para pedagang memperbudak kaum Sudra. Kaum Sudra mengambil dari kami, kaum Paria. Jadi kami, para pengemis ini, mengambil dari siapa?!"
Dalam hukum kelompok Tatta, yang menemukan dan mengambil barang berhak memiliki barang itu. Sistem Kasta merampas hak hidup kaum Paria hingga mereka nyaris tak memiliki apa-apa.
Delapan komik yang dianggap sebagai salah satu mahakarya Osamu Tezuka, sang dewa manga, ini menceritakan kisah hidup Siddharta Gautama atau yang kemudian dikenal sebagai Buddha dari sejak ia lahir hingga meninggal.
Ceritanya tentang kehidupan Buddha-nya sendiri baru benar-benar dimulai pada jilid kedua. Di jilid pertama, Osamu Tezuka membangun cerita dengan memperlihatkan tokoh-tokoh fiksi untuk memperlihatkan betapa kejamnya akibat dari sistem kasta di India.
Para tokoh fiksi itu adalah Tatta, bocah paria yang punya kekuatan memindahkan rohnya untuk merasuki tubuh para hewan. Ada Chapra, seorang sudra (kaum budak) yang ingin naik kasta dengan menjadi anak angkat Panglima Kerajaan Kosala demi mengangkat harkat nasib ibunya,
Ada juga Anandatta, seorang brahmana yang kemudian bertemu dengan Tatta dan lalu dikutuk oleh gurunya sendiri (Guru Asita) hingga harus menghabiskan nyaris seluruh sisa hidupnya dengan hidup seperti hewan liar karena telah menyebabkan kematian banyak hewan demi menyelamatkan Chapra yang terkena racun.
Chapra dan ibunya adalah budak dari seorang saudagar kaya. Ketika ditugaskan untuk mengantar kain barang dagangan, Chapra dirampok oleh gerombolan preman cilik yang dipimpin oleh Tatta. Karena kehilangan kain barang dagangan yang sangat berharga, Chapra dihajar oleh majikannya. Sang majikan mengancam akan menjual ibu Chapra jika ia tak bisa mendapatkan kembali kain-kain itu dalam waktu tiga hari.
Maka Chapra pun mendatangi pemukiman kaum Paria untuk menuntut Tatta mengembalikan kain-kain itu. Paria adalah kaum yang tak memiliki kasta. Statusnya bahkan lebih rendah daripada sudra yang dianggap seperti hewan. Para kaum paria digambarkan berkeliaran di jalan-jalan tanpa baju.
Chapra akhirnya dihajar gerombolan Tatta. Tapi melihat kegigihan Chapra yang berteriak bahwa ia harus mendapatkan kembali kain-kain itu agar ibunya tidak dijual, Tatta akhirnya membawa Chapra ke gubuknya. Di gubuk itu, Chapra tinggal Bersama kakak dan ibunya. Rupanya Tatta sudah memberikan kain-kain itu kepada keluarganya.
Kakak Tatta menolak mengembalikan kain itu dan berkata, "Kaum Brahmana mengambil dari para raja (kaum Kesatria). Kaum Kesatria mengambil dari para pedagang (kaum Waisya). Para pedagang memperbudak kaum Sudra. Kaum Sudra mengambil dari kami, kaum Paria. Jadi kami, para pengemis ini, mengambil dari siapa?!"
Dalam hukum kelompok Tatta, yang menemukan dan mengambil barang berhak memiliki barang itu. Sistem Kasta merampas hak hidup kaum Paria hingga mereka nyaris tak memiliki apa-apa.
February 25, 2018
I finally arrive at the end of this incredible journey; undeniably the true magnum opus of master Tezuka's stunning career. The final volume didn't skip a beat; it was emotional, devastating, beautifully drawn, powerful, and ultimately satisfying. Again, I am sorry to say goodbye to Buddha and the rest of the cast of characters I have grown so fond of, but if you are to take one thing away from this series, it's the acceptance that all things, good or bad, come to an end. Such is nature, such is life, such is an awesome manga series. Perfectly complete.
June 7, 2020
As much as I had issues with Tezuka's depiction of women throughout this series, I enjoyed the series quite a bit and it's great from start to end. Sprinkled with humanity and humour throughout, it's no surprise that this classic series is still held in such high regard after all these years.
August 12, 2023
Finally was able to finish this classic series. I appreciate the zeitgeist and it was interesting to see how Tezuka played with the medium, as always.
January 24, 2024
Was an enjoyable retelling and revision of the traditional Buddha story with some great artwork. I could not get used to the pace and frequent comic relief until the very last book in the series. The core message of the series made me think about the inconsistency between action and acceptance.
August 3, 2013
In truth, I think this book is somewhere between 4 and 5 stars, but since this site only does full star intervals, I decided to give it 5 stars, since I enjoyed the first seven volumes so much. Frankly, after 2800 pages of build-up, it would be impossible for any ending to feel completely satisfying. But still, this is a pretty solid finish to one of the longest graphic novels ever written.
Vol. 7 feel like the emotional and narrative climax. Vol. 8, "Jetavana," is something of a denouement, devoted to wrapping up major storylines and seeing the characters through to the ends of their lives. Buddha rehabilitates some of his enemies, has a final showdown with Devadatta, leader of a breakaway Buddhist sect, and sets out on his final journey. The deaths of major characters have adequate emotional impact, and Buddha's death in the final pages may produce a tear or two on the reader's part. Once again, the writing is philosophically compelling, the characters are psychologically complex and surprisingly three-dimensional, and the artwork is superb.
One of the interesting elements in Vol. 8 is the way that Osamu Tezuka incorporates the Buddhist concept of karma into the plot. With great irony, the author shows how the heroes and villains produce both good and bad karma - good and bad results - through their actions. The king who feared that his son would commit patricide imprisons his son; that prince grows up to hate his father and later imprisons his father, who starves to death - in short, the king, through his cruelty, makes his worst fears come true. Similarly, the villain Devadatta poisons the same king, thinking that this scheme would get the prince out of prison, remove the need for patricide, and help Devadatta gain the power to overthrow Buddha. This scheme, committed with malice and greed, also backfires: The prince gets out of prison, but opts to kill his father anyway; and Devadatta briefly takes over the Buddhist movement, only to lose power and die pathetically. Overall, these plot lines demonstrate the Buddha's belief that actions done for unjust reasons will ultimately rebound upon individuals. Cruel monarchs and powerhungry zealots ultimately lose everything. The implication here is that, if all of these characters had shown more compassion for each other, if they had loved more, then they would have found peace, even if that didn't mean getting everything they wanted. That is a powerful message, and it accurately captures some of the complexity of Buddhist thought.
So what keeps me from giving this book itself a full 5 stars, separate from how much I enjoyed reading the volume? There are a few notable flaws here. Several supporting characters, who received significant attention in previous volumes, basically disappear from the story, without any real resolution. The author also has a tendency to overplot somewhat. We understand the details of Devadatta's scheme to overthrow Buddha and the king, but Devadatta's motivations remain ambiguous. Does he act purely to advance his own scheme to take over Buddhism, or does he care for the prince? The plot is unclear. Perhaps Osamu Tezuka wanted to leave his main villain something of a cypher. Still, I would have liked the novel to be a bit more spelled out in that regard. There are also some moments - a villain alternating between being a good Buddhist and a vengeful man; Buddha reaming out his relatives - that felt inauthentic to the characters' personalities, as developed so far. Finally, I wished the final pages had portrayed Nirvana in some way. Still, the author hints that Buddha is headed on a journey "to the center of Nature," so the post-death experience is addressed in some form. Since Buddha is shown to be unsure what lies beyond the grave, perhaps the author wanted to leave things a bit unresolved, reflecting the mystery surrounding death.
Overall, despite the flaws I mentioned, this was a satisfying end to a landmark graphic novel that felt more like literature than a youthful comic strip.
Vol. 7 feel like the emotional and narrative climax. Vol. 8, "Jetavana," is something of a denouement, devoted to wrapping up major storylines and seeing the characters through to the ends of their lives. Buddha rehabilitates some of his enemies, has a final showdown with Devadatta, leader of a breakaway Buddhist sect, and sets out on his final journey. The deaths of major characters have adequate emotional impact, and Buddha's death in the final pages may produce a tear or two on the reader's part. Once again, the writing is philosophically compelling, the characters are psychologically complex and surprisingly three-dimensional, and the artwork is superb.
One of the interesting elements in Vol. 8 is the way that Osamu Tezuka incorporates the Buddhist concept of karma into the plot. With great irony, the author shows how the heroes and villains produce both good and bad karma - good and bad results - through their actions. The king who feared that his son would commit patricide imprisons his son; that prince grows up to hate his father and later imprisons his father, who starves to death - in short, the king, through his cruelty, makes his worst fears come true. Similarly, the villain Devadatta poisons the same king, thinking that this scheme would get the prince out of prison, remove the need for patricide, and help Devadatta gain the power to overthrow Buddha. This scheme, committed with malice and greed, also backfires: The prince gets out of prison, but opts to kill his father anyway; and Devadatta briefly takes over the Buddhist movement, only to lose power and die pathetically. Overall, these plot lines demonstrate the Buddha's belief that actions done for unjust reasons will ultimately rebound upon individuals. Cruel monarchs and powerhungry zealots ultimately lose everything. The implication here is that, if all of these characters had shown more compassion for each other, if they had loved more, then they would have found peace, even if that didn't mean getting everything they wanted. That is a powerful message, and it accurately captures some of the complexity of Buddhist thought.
So what keeps me from giving this book itself a full 5 stars, separate from how much I enjoyed reading the volume? There are a few notable flaws here. Several supporting characters, who received significant attention in previous volumes, basically disappear from the story, without any real resolution. The author also has a tendency to overplot somewhat. We understand the details of Devadatta's scheme to overthrow Buddha and the king, but Devadatta's motivations remain ambiguous. Does he act purely to advance his own scheme to take over Buddhism, or does he care for the prince? The plot is unclear. Perhaps Osamu Tezuka wanted to leave his main villain something of a cypher. Still, I would have liked the novel to be a bit more spelled out in that regard. There are also some moments - a villain alternating between being a good Buddhist and a vengeful man; Buddha reaming out his relatives - that felt inauthentic to the characters' personalities, as developed so far. Finally, I wished the final pages had portrayed Nirvana in some way. Still, the author hints that Buddha is headed on a journey "to the center of Nature," so the post-death experience is addressed in some form. Since Buddha is shown to be unsure what lies beyond the grave, perhaps the author wanted to leave things a bit unresolved, reflecting the mystery surrounding death.
Overall, despite the flaws I mentioned, this was a satisfying end to a landmark graphic novel that felt more like literature than a youthful comic strip.
June 2, 2013
Jetavana was the Crystal Prince's -now King Virudhaka- son. He never met Buddha in person until near end of the story. But through one of Buddha's disciple, he learned the meaning of being a human tightened with all humans and creatures, all that a person did or do will had effect towards other. And so the lesson last and spread.
In this book, we furthermore see the fate of the three kingdoms and their princes. King Ajatasattu and King Virudhaka once again had a pararell life, in conjunction of what they did to their father. To Bimbisara, it was karma I guess *never believed in prophecy, it was one smooth talk swindler!!* To Prasennajit, I don't know what it was. Fate? Foolishness? Punishment for unwavering revenge? For whatever it was, I was relieved when Virudhaka finally listened to Buddha's request to release him. Sadly, it was also the end of Buddha's journey. Even before Prince Siddharta was born, he'd already foresee to be a great leader that had so many loyal subject for a very long long time. A king of kings. While the Prince never sat on a thorne, his kingdom had been annihilated in the end, he trully fulfill the prophecy. His teach of love and compassion and equality among all creatures passed down through generation. Through time and place, it everlasting in the heart of Buddhist everywhere even until now.
I choosed to read this series when the Buddhists was going to celebrate Vesak day, the holy day to recall Buddha's birth, enlightment and passing way, and I'm glad I did. It was a riveting biography of a Great Man written beautifully by the Japs mangga guru. Enuf said.
In this book, we furthermore see the fate of the three kingdoms and their princes. King Ajatasattu and King Virudhaka once again had a pararell life, in conjunction of what they did to their father. To Bimbisara, it was karma I guess *never believed in prophecy, it was one smooth talk swindler!!* To Prasennajit, I don't know what it was. Fate? Foolishness? Punishment for unwavering revenge? For whatever it was, I was relieved when Virudhaka finally listened to Buddha's request to release him. Sadly, it was also the end of Buddha's journey. Even before Prince Siddharta was born, he'd already foresee to be a great leader that had so many loyal subject for a very long long time. A king of kings. While the Prince never sat on a thorne, his kingdom had been annihilated in the end, he trully fulfill the prophecy. His teach of love and compassion and equality among all creatures passed down through generation. Through time and place, it everlasting in the heart of Buddhist everywhere even until now.
I choosed to read this series when the Buddhists was going to celebrate Vesak day, the holy day to recall Buddha's birth, enlightment and passing way, and I'm glad I did. It was a riveting biography of a Great Man written beautifully by the Japs mangga guru. Enuf said.
June 1, 2015
Die Welt ist schön, Ananda
Zusammen mit der wachsenden Einsicht in die Natur der Dinge wachsen auch Buddhas Ohrläppchen - in Ostasien ein Zeichen für Weisheit. Doch seine Umgebung macht ihm das Leben nicht leicht, denn Tattas unstillbarer Rachedurst, Devadattas Machthunger und die Vaterkomplexe der Prinzen Virudhaka und Ajasattu lassen ihn sich fragen, ob sein jahrelanges Lehren nicht alles für die Katz war...
Die Struktur des Gesamtwerks orientiert sich stark an ostasiatischen Romanen, die der japanische Autor selbstverständlicherweise gut kennt. Chinesische und japanische Werke aus vormoderner Zeit sind meist episodisch, mit einer Flut an Personen, sowie zyklisch oder zumindest mit Bezug am Ende auf den Anfang konstruiert. Auch bei "Buddha" spürt man das deutlich - die Personen, die sich wie Perlen langsam im Laufe des Werks auf eine Schnur aufgefädelt haben, werden nun wieder aufgegriffen und die Enden der Schnur verknotet. Und sogar E.T. und Yoda bekommen einen Gastauftritt. Eine weitere Eigenheit ostasiatischer Texte ist die Tendenz, tragische Helden zu bevorzugen - nicht werden wie im Westen die strahlenden Heroen gefeiert, sondern gern die gezeigt, die scheitern. Auch "Buddha" hat einen Protagonisten, der immer mit sich hadert, und harte Prüfungen durchleben muss.
Die deutlich erkennbare Kritik an Konzepten wie Orthodoxie, Dogmatismus, Doktrin und kirchlichem Institutionalismus, die durch die Person Devadatta und andere Sektenführer repräsentiert wird, ist im Vorgängerband und in diesem vorliegenden Band besonders spürbar.
Ein großartiges Gesamtkunstwerk.
Zusammen mit der wachsenden Einsicht in die Natur der Dinge wachsen auch Buddhas Ohrläppchen - in Ostasien ein Zeichen für Weisheit. Doch seine Umgebung macht ihm das Leben nicht leicht, denn Tattas unstillbarer Rachedurst, Devadattas Machthunger und die Vaterkomplexe der Prinzen Virudhaka und Ajasattu lassen ihn sich fragen, ob sein jahrelanges Lehren nicht alles für die Katz war...
Die Struktur des Gesamtwerks orientiert sich stark an ostasiatischen Romanen, die der japanische Autor selbstverständlicherweise gut kennt. Chinesische und japanische Werke aus vormoderner Zeit sind meist episodisch, mit einer Flut an Personen, sowie zyklisch oder zumindest mit Bezug am Ende auf den Anfang konstruiert. Auch bei "Buddha" spürt man das deutlich - die Personen, die sich wie Perlen langsam im Laufe des Werks auf eine Schnur aufgefädelt haben, werden nun wieder aufgegriffen und die Enden der Schnur verknotet. Und sogar E.T. und Yoda bekommen einen Gastauftritt. Eine weitere Eigenheit ostasiatischer Texte ist die Tendenz, tragische Helden zu bevorzugen - nicht werden wie im Westen die strahlenden Heroen gefeiert, sondern gern die gezeigt, die scheitern. Auch "Buddha" hat einen Protagonisten, der immer mit sich hadert, und harte Prüfungen durchleben muss.
Die deutlich erkennbare Kritik an Konzepten wie Orthodoxie, Dogmatismus, Doktrin und kirchlichem Institutionalismus, die durch die Person Devadatta und andere Sektenführer repräsentiert wird, ist im Vorgängerband und in diesem vorliegenden Band besonders spürbar.
Ein großartiges Gesamtkunstwerk.
January 12, 2019
Buku terakhir ini sukses membuat saya menangis. Intrik, dendam, dan pencerahan. Betapa manusia menderita akibat nafsunya sendiri.
Di Kosala, Raja marah pada Pangeran Kristal. Raja mengancam kalau Pangeran Kristal tidak membunuh seluruh suka Shakya, ia tidak akan diangkat jadi raja. Sekali lagi Buddha menyadarkan Pangeran Kristal. Ia juga mengurung dan menurunkan tahta bapaknya. Antara Pangeran Kristal dan Raja ini hubungannya mirip dengan Raja Bimbisara dan Ajatassatu. Tentu yang menang adalah kaum muda yang sudah waktunya memegang tampuk kepemimpinan.
Buddha meninggalkan Jetawana, tempat Buddha dan murid-muridnya menyebarkan agama. Sampai akhir hayatnya Buddha menepati janji pada Dewata, Guru Assita, bahwa ia akan berkelana dan menolong jiwa-jiwa manusia.
Osamu Tezuka entah bagaimana dalam setiap kisah Buddha dan murid-muridnya mampu menyisipkan humor yang lucu. Adegan berdarah-darah dan menguras air mata disulap menjadi adegan satir yang memberi makna tanpa perlu tersedan-sedan. Ya, tapi buku kedelapan dan penghabisan ini agaknya Osamu sengaja membikin pembacanya tersayat-sayat. Sedih harus berpisah dengan Buddha.
Di Kosala, Raja marah pada Pangeran Kristal. Raja mengancam kalau Pangeran Kristal tidak membunuh seluruh suka Shakya, ia tidak akan diangkat jadi raja. Sekali lagi Buddha menyadarkan Pangeran Kristal. Ia juga mengurung dan menurunkan tahta bapaknya. Antara Pangeran Kristal dan Raja ini hubungannya mirip dengan Raja Bimbisara dan Ajatassatu. Tentu yang menang adalah kaum muda yang sudah waktunya memegang tampuk kepemimpinan.
Buddha meninggalkan Jetawana, tempat Buddha dan murid-muridnya menyebarkan agama. Sampai akhir hayatnya Buddha menepati janji pada Dewata, Guru Assita, bahwa ia akan berkelana dan menolong jiwa-jiwa manusia.
Osamu Tezuka entah bagaimana dalam setiap kisah Buddha dan murid-muridnya mampu menyisipkan humor yang lucu. Adegan berdarah-darah dan menguras air mata disulap menjadi adegan satir yang memberi makna tanpa perlu tersedan-sedan. Ya, tapi buku kedelapan dan penghabisan ini agaknya Osamu sengaja membikin pembacanya tersayat-sayat. Sedih harus berpisah dengan Buddha.
April 4, 2011
With this, I finish reading Buddha series by Osamu Tezuka.
It was a nice, compassionate story about journey of Buddha. It is not a story that we all know. I say this since that was my perception. Osamu Tezuka has included horde of interesting characters whose lives and destinies are entwined with a meeting with Buddha.
Naradutta, who was mentioned in first book, finally dies after meeting Buddha. Thattha who was kid in the first book also dies fighting Kosalans, he wanted to avenge his friend Chapra and his mother. Story of rabbit sacrificing itself in the first book has more meaning. Neither is Buddha projected as know-it-all. He learns life and nature's riddles one by one, sometimes by chance. He is neither a miracle-worker but he is definitely a healer but that takes time.
Osamu weaves a wonderful story and his illustrations are quick (to absorb), simple and interesting. There is lot of humour about writer/manga/comic characters (not to mention an irrelevant drawing trick) which is rib-tickling.
It was a nice, compassionate story about journey of Buddha. It is not a story that we all know. I say this since that was my perception. Osamu Tezuka has included horde of interesting characters whose lives and destinies are entwined with a meeting with Buddha.
Naradutta, who was mentioned in first book, finally dies after meeting Buddha. Thattha who was kid in the first book also dies fighting Kosalans, he wanted to avenge his friend Chapra and his mother. Story of rabbit sacrificing itself in the first book has more meaning. Neither is Buddha projected as know-it-all. He learns life and nature's riddles one by one, sometimes by chance. He is neither a miracle-worker but he is definitely a healer but that takes time.
Osamu weaves a wonderful story and his illustrations are quick (to absorb), simple and interesting. There is lot of humour about writer/manga/comic characters (not to mention an irrelevant drawing trick) which is rib-tickling.
February 22, 2015
Fascinating end to a complex story told through the concepts and story line of managa artist, osamu tezuka. mostly famnous for his invention astro boy, tezuka adds whimsy and humour to the story of buddha's life and journey. the end stages are humurous and graceful. his art work range from the majestic to the quick and dashing. he creates movmeent and pathos and drama through his art, which is quite intriguing.
the story of the life of buddha [and for a biography, see karen Armstrong's work, Buddha, from 2004. A readable and well researched book. REcent excavations have also been able to throw light on the exact time of Buddha's life and travels, placing him about 600 years before previous indications of his life. This places him about 800 to 1000 years prior to the common era.
anyway it's ajoyo and educational joy to read 8 volumes on the life of buddha, as told by a manga artist from the 1960s and 70s in Tokyo.
the story of the life of buddha [and for a biography, see karen Armstrong's work, Buddha, from 2004. A readable and well researched book. REcent excavations have also been able to throw light on the exact time of Buddha's life and travels, placing him about 600 years before previous indications of his life. This places him about 800 to 1000 years prior to the common era.
anyway it's ajoyo and educational joy to read 8 volumes on the life of buddha, as told by a manga artist from the 1960s and 70s in Tokyo.
June 4, 2008
And ... the epic reaches its conclusion. And so do many of its major characters.
Having now finished all eight books -- some three thousand pages? -- I feel like I should offer some kind of overview about the series. But I'm not sure I'm ready for that. Too much left to think about. All I'll say is that this last volume brought the Buddha story nicely back to its beginning, which is appropriate given that Buddha himself preached that all life is inter-connected, that without endings there would be no beginnings. The story about the rabbit that sacrificed itself to feed a starving half-dead man and as a reward became a constellation (from the first or second volume) is repeated here, and it means so much more than it did the first time.
I don't think I'll ever look at a plastic Buddha the same way again.
Having now finished all eight books -- some three thousand pages? -- I feel like I should offer some kind of overview about the series. But I'm not sure I'm ready for that. Too much left to think about. All I'll say is that this last volume brought the Buddha story nicely back to its beginning, which is appropriate given that Buddha himself preached that all life is inter-connected, that without endings there would be no beginnings. The story about the rabbit that sacrificed itself to feed a starving half-dead man and as a reward became a constellation (from the first or second volume) is repeated here, and it means so much more than it did the first time.
I don't think I'll ever look at a plastic Buddha the same way again.
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