Customer Reviews

Buddha, Vol. 2: The Four Encounters

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More of the story of young Sidhartha struggling with his posh prince place in a strongly caste system, and his fear of death and suffering. An 'enlightened' Sidartha fights against the caste system, which is paramount to treason, and slowly learns his true place in all things.

Osama Tezuka is a legend, often called "Japan's greatest cartoonist." He is worthy of this praise. His detailed black and white drawings are moving, vivid and cinematic. In this wonderful volume, he tells the tale of young Siddharta, a prince born into wealth and leisure, who struggles to determine the meaning of his existence. Despite the philosophical depth of the book, Tezuka is able to keep the action moving. His art is so engaging that it appears to move on the page.

The secret to Osama Tezuka's power is his story-telling ability. His tales are like the Arabian Nights fables, stories within stories within stories. He astounds readers by his raw story-telling finesse. Throughout all of his work, he advances themes of environmentalism, the dangers of modern society, redemption, and the simplicity of Buddhism. What is remarkable is he is able to do this while entertaining; as readers, we become spellbound by his picture-perfect drawings and fantastical settings. Even though this second volume of Buddha is largely expository in nature as he lays the foundation for future volumes, it is more engaging than most graphic novels. Even if you are not a fan of Japanese manga, try this one; Tezuka may win you over.

This second volume of "Buddha" is much more centered on Siddhartha (the Buddha). We explore his childhood and early years as prince. Being an often restless, disobedient, child Siddhartha leaves the castle. Along with Tatta, who we met in the last book, Siddhartha learns of the suffering, disease, and death of the outside world, that he has been guarded against.

Faced with a fear of death, Siddhartha must choose between his duties as future king, or to follow a path to enlightenment. Even as he debates with himself, he adds the burden of a wife. Who must also be left behind if he wishes to leave to find enlightenment and the meaning of life.

Tezuka adds to what he had started in the first volume, and begins new stories to be carried forward.

Serious philosophy in graphic novels can be entertaining and fun! It is humorous and light-hearted yet serious and gripping in this eight-volume set of graphic novels by Osamu Tezuka. Tezuka is referred to as the father of manga, or Japanese comics. We are not fans of manga, but these graphics novels/comics are beautifully done. The books are a wonderful way to introduce the life of Buddha and his path to peace and meditation to young people who shrink from these ideas. The message and wisdom is timeless.

The novels take the reader from Buddha's birth to his enlightenment and death. Fictional characters that spout contemporary statements add to the fun. They in no way diminish the serious issues of caste, war, poverty, and slavery. The characters are incredibly human and likeable. Women, though, are scantily clothed and many readers may feel that Tezuka is irreverent in his approach. If you can get past that initial reaction, you may be well rewarded.

As these are graphic novels/comics, the tone is not as respectful as religious books. We found this approach of making Buddha and all the other characters so human in every way rather appealing. If the Buddha could do this, there is hope for all of us! In comic form, the text has to be succinct and precise. We get the message in a few sentences, with the drawings often conveying more than words.

We found these beautifully bound novels (the spines line up to show the aging faces of Buddha through his lifetime) riveting and hope you enjoy them as well. This is a delightfully different way of coming to know the Buddha. You may find yourself reading these novels over and over again!

it's endearing, funny, spiritual, and overall wonderful! does it stray from the source material version of the story? yes. but as long as you go in knowing that it's fine. for example there is a big long story surrounding the buddha getting married and his training and life as a young man. in the pali canon (original source of the story) this takes up maybe a few paragraphs, and even if you collected every time he mentioned this period in his life it would be maybe three pages, so in order to make a big story out of it, he had to add characters and events. i'm so impressed, i love it!

It's a great series illustrating a great mythology. If you're a manga or Tezuka fan, this is a must have. The backgrounds are really amazing, the cartooning is pretty funny, and just everything about this book is beyond good. Very enjoyable.