Customer Reviews

Buddha, Vol. 3: Devadatta

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Tezuka's extended story of Buddha's life and times continues with this third volume. The emphasis here is on the stories of several monks, and the interrelationships with the growing cast of secondary characters Tezuka uses to frame the story. Siddhartha begins following Dhepa, who ran afoul of Tatta's gang in the previous book. They in turn gain another follower, a young child of surprising challenges and gifts. Siddhartha experiments with ascetism and suffering, but continues to grow in compassion and healing.

In a parallel story, we read of the early life of Devadatta, a historic character with a significant part in the Buddha story. We see the young child Devadatta's early character formed in fear, resentment and bestiality, as he is used and abused by various people. Though his story includes a stay with the monk Naradatta, who has been in all three books, he seldom gets good treatment.

Tezuka continues to tell this long and complex story in an engaging way, often with humor, and occasionally with great beauty and solemnity. Those who have followed the journey to this point will be eager for the next book. A map included to show the geographic area of the story helps with perspective.

This 3rd book of the series got me hooked. The first two volumes are more like an introduction, and in this book the story finally takes off. The story continues in the same pace as the first two volumes, which makes it a pleasant read.
The story of Siddharta continues as he teams up with Dhepa the one-eyed Bharmin teacher and Assaji the snotty little boy with great powers. Siddharta develops character as he struggles to understand the necessity of the ordeals Dhepa teaches him. He represents our own doubts and uncertainties that we face on our own spiritual paths, showing us that the great Buddha is as human as you and I. Unfortunately, women keep throwing themselves at his feet - not exactly like you and I after all..
In a long and heartbreaking side story featuring Devadatta, the son of the no-eyed-villain Bandaka, we see how much hatred and rejection a person can handle. Especially entertaining I found the return of Brahmin turned animal Naradatta who teaches Devadatta the circle of life and rules of survival ('The weak perish, the strong survive. Custom for all life. Humans aren't exempt'). Tezuka obviously enjoyed drawing animals of all kinds, interacting with each other and the two humans that returned to the wild. It is in these pages that I understood that I had to finish the whole series - what great pleasure.

way different than the source material but oh well. great story. dwindles into side stories some but not enough to be annoying. wonderful characters! a really fun book with lots of heart. the devadatta character is different than in the source material also but very interesting nonetheless. the buddha's character is so heartening as he quests for enlightenment while helping people along the way. really great characters too! i love tatta and migaila! also naradatta is a really cool character! he is a man who lives as an animal would, staying in the forest, eating only grains and fruit, etc., as part of a religious asceticism.

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 continues the tale of young Siddharta, a prince born into wealth and leisure, who struggles to determine the meaning of his existence. The side stories of the wolf boy and the young Assaji are moving and fascinating.

The secret to Osama Tezuka's power is his story-telling ability. He tells the tale of the Buddha in Arabian Nights fashion, with stories within stories within stories.

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. He even brings in occasional modern-day references to add comic relief to the weighty subject. This anachronistic dialogue originally put me off, but has grown on me as the series goes on. Even if you are not a fan of Japanese manga, try this one; Tezuka may win you over.

This third volume of "Buddha" covers the very beginning of Siddhartha's monkhood. So far this is one of my least favorites of the series. Many of the chapters have nothing to do with Siddhartha, but with other characters. This is nothing new, the first volume only had a baby Siddhartha at the end. But, unlike this volume, the first volume's separate parts add up to an over all narrative.

Many of the messages of Buddhism are present, but take a backseat to what can only be call "soap opera" storylines. Even the parts where Siddhartha are present, feel this way. Even though this is the weakest so far, it is important for the over all series.

The story telling in this volume maybe weak, but Tezuka's creative, and experimentation with page layouts makes this book still a fun read.