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Buddha, Vol. 3: Devadatta
The Eisner and Harvey WinnerThe third volume of this epic graphic novel send Siddhartha further into a world mired in pain and suffering. The journey to peace and enlightenment looms far but bright.Prince Siddhartha quickly learns that the monk's path is covered in thorns and self-abuses much more profound than shaving your head. His new companions Dhepa and Assaji accompany him to plague-ridden town, ruled by the ravashing Visakha. On a different path filled with as many vararies is Devadatta, an orphan who learns only that bad almost always gets worse.To strange cities, and dire prophecies...
322 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1983
59 people are currently reading
1023 people want to read
About the author
Osamu Tezuka
2,142 books1,292 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 167 reviews
October 1, 2016
In volume 3, we picked up where Siddhartha has left his wife and baby son (having read volume 2 a while ago I already forgot how this happened) and continues on his journey as a monk. He meets another monk, Dhepa, who is burnt on one eye - by his own deed. Dhepa believes in total body suffering, but later on refuses a different kind of "suffering" when an abandoned little boy is following the two monks. (The boy, Asaji, will take a more important role later.) This is where I disagree with Buddhism idea on living an ascetic life. It seems quite selfish to me to focus on one's own journey to enlightenment, ignoring everything else that happens in the world, and at times even depending on other people's charity to live.
A parallel storyline that runs alongside Siddhartha's story is that of Devadatta, whose namesake Volume 3's subtitle take of. He's the son of Bandaka - the villain in the previous volume, now dead. There's obviously some dark side to Devadatta, even though he's drawn cute, and his awful deeds are made much lighter by Osamu Tezuka for reasons I'm not sure of (for instance: murders, multiple).
We meet old characters again: Tatta, now bandit. Siddhartha's previous lover, now blind and Tatta's wife. New character at the end is Bimbisara, the king of Magadha, who meets an older, wiser, more charismatic version of Siddhartha, and names him Buddha (Enlightened One). By this point, there are so many characters, that I'm hoping I can keep track of them while going through the volumes gradually one by one (hence this write-up).
A parallel storyline that runs alongside Siddhartha's story is that of Devadatta, whose namesake Volume 3's subtitle take of. He's the son of Bandaka - the villain in the previous volume, now dead. There's obviously some dark side to Devadatta, even though he's drawn cute, and his awful deeds are made much lighter by Osamu Tezuka for reasons I'm not sure of (for instance: murders, multiple).
We meet old characters again: Tatta, now bandit. Siddhartha's previous lover, now blind and Tatta's wife. New character at the end is Bimbisara, the king of Magadha, who meets an older, wiser, more charismatic version of Siddhartha, and names him Buddha (Enlightened One). By this point, there are so many characters, that I'm hoping I can keep track of them while going through the volumes gradually one by one (hence this write-up).
June 14, 2016
I felt this was slower than the first two. Nonetheless, Tezuka doesn't disappoint.
March 13, 2017
Things are finally moving. Phew. Getting used to the contrived humour also. Would have given it 3 stars if a tornado hadn't occurred in the Himalayas.
April 7, 2024
The weak perish. The strong survive.
This volume of Buddha has everything: going feral, crossdressing, another child possessing supernatural abilities, another woman falling madly in love with Siddhartha to the chagrin of her violent fiance, Tezuka refusing to depict a pregnant woman as actually pregnant (again) and just pure utter chaos. Especially on Devadatta's side of the story. It seems that the only indication of time passing is when the characters say so, i.e. . And I cannot fathom how anyone in this story is still alive with all the shit they go through. I realise that this world has always been a wild and lawless place, but especially so in this volume. I also really loved some of the panel compositions in this! Interesting that .
This volume of Buddha has everything: going feral, crossdressing, another child possessing supernatural abilities, another woman falling madly in love with Siddhartha to the chagrin of her violent fiance, Tezuka refusing to depict a pregnant woman as actually pregnant (again) and just pure utter chaos. Especially on Devadatta's side of the story. It seems that the only indication of time passing is when the characters say so, i.e. . And I cannot fathom how anyone in this story is still alive with all the shit they go through. I realise that this world has always been a wild and lawless place, but especially so in this volume. I also really loved some of the panel compositions in this! Interesting that .
January 6, 2021
And the saga continues.
Loved the snotty, sniffling Assaji character :)
Loved the snotty, sniffling Assaji character :)
October 22, 2020
If the previous volumes reminded of Amar Chitra Kathas, this one was more like the Jungle Book.
Finding the pace a bit slowed down, with repetitions in story pattern and narration.
On to Part4.
Finding the pace a bit slowed down, with repetitions in story pattern and narration.
On to Part4.
March 23, 2011
Devdutta's character is much different than I have known all my life. Charcaters from previous books - Naradutta, Dhempa, Thatta, Migailla - continue. I love the fact how charcters meet each other, how their stories entwine.
Of course, there are new chacters too - Bimbisara (king of Mgadh), Vishakha, Warrior Sukanda and fortune-teller Assaji. Siddharth's journey continues, albeit with obstacles.
Too small a manga this one!
Of course, there are new chacters too - Bimbisara (king of Mgadh), Vishakha, Warrior Sukanda and fortune-teller Assaji. Siddharth's journey continues, albeit with obstacles.
Too small a manga this one!
December 10, 2015
Anu...ini....pangeran Siddharta ini kok semacam digandrungi perempuan di mana-mana...
Emang dia pangeran sih....
Diramalkan bakalan jadi raja diraja pula....
Kaya raya, secara pangeran gitu....
Dan di versi anime-nya dia ganteng lho....
*nampak jelas gw salah fokus*
Emang dia pangeran sih....
Diramalkan bakalan jadi raja diraja pula....
Kaya raya, secara pangeran gitu....
Dan di versi anime-nya dia ganteng lho....
*nampak jelas gw salah fokus*
February 21, 2015
nahezu tausend seiten insgesamt gelesen und immer noch spannend und erbaulich zu lesen. bin schön gespannt auf die fünf noch zu erwartenden volumes!
July 26, 2024
Dewadatta, anak Bandaka, hidup menyedihkan sebagai anak yang dirundung teman-teman seangkatannya karena dianggap lemah. Suatu hari teman-temannya mengerjainya hingga ia dikejar gajah liar. Ia berlari ke arah teman-temannya sehingga mereka pun terbirit-birit dan jatuh ke gua. Dewadatta lalu membunuh teman-temannya yang ingin merebut air yang ia temukan di gua. Akibatnya, setelah ia ditemukan orang-orang desa ia pun diadili meski masih kecil. Karena dianggap kerasukan iblis, dia dijatuhi hukuman mati dengan diikat dan ditinggalkan di alam terbuka agar dicabik-cabik serigala. Ternyata ia malah diselamatkan oleh induk serigala yang anaknya pernah ia tolong. Dia pun tinggal bersama mereka, melupakan jati dirinya sebagai manusia dan bicara dengan bahasa serigala. Namun, ibu serigala dan kakak serigalanya nanti pun mati karena tak bisa bertahan di alam.
Setelah itu ia bertemu Naradatta dan hidup bersama pria itu. Namun, Naradatta merasa sebaiknya Dewadatta hidup sebagai manusia saja. Maka ia membiarkan Dewadatta masuk ke jebakan untuk hewan liar dan ditangkap orang desa. Namun, di dunia manusia ia malah diperlakukan dengan kejam sehingga ia jadi makin benci manusia. Selama hidup di lingkungan manusia, Dewadatta belajar soal pentingnya uang agar bisa hidup enak.
Buku ini benar-benar menampilkan bahwa manusia bisa jadi lebih kejam daripada hewan buas.
Setelah itu ia bertemu Naradatta dan hidup bersama pria itu. Namun, Naradatta merasa sebaiknya Dewadatta hidup sebagai manusia saja. Maka ia membiarkan Dewadatta masuk ke jebakan untuk hewan liar dan ditangkap orang desa. Namun, di dunia manusia ia malah diperlakukan dengan kejam sehingga ia jadi makin benci manusia. Selama hidup di lingkungan manusia, Dewadatta belajar soal pentingnya uang agar bisa hidup enak.
Buku ini benar-benar menampilkan bahwa manusia bisa jadi lebih kejam daripada hewan buas.
December 15, 2024
Siddhartha continues his journey to become a monk. He hooks up with a new companion, an older monk named Dhepa, who puts him through some trials. Siddhartha rejects much of Dhepa's philosophy, which is based on suffering to achieve enlightenment. The two are followed by a literal snot-nosed kid, Assaji, who wants to become a monk, and who eventually gains the power of prophecy. The three are tested again and again, both physically and emotionally. Meanwhile, on a separate path, Devadatta is shown being raised by wolves but eventually going back to the world of men. How his life will intersect Siddhartha's is yet unknown. Tezuka's cartoony art conveys just enough information for the reader to understand what's going on, with occasional beautifully drawn landscapes. Although this is generally a dramatic story, Tezuka infuses it with some humor and anachronisms (such as reference to TV). It's both fun and educational.
July 24, 2019
Bunch of new characters introduced and a whole lot of walking and living that ascetic life. Seems to be setting up some interesting dynamics and conflicts when paths start crossing. Looking forward to future volumes.
March 13, 2020
A classic romp
July 17, 2020
Siddhartha becomes accepting of the disparities of life and follows the way of asceticism.
Tezuka never fails in humour and in sharp and detailed social comments.
Tezuka never fails in humour and in sharp and detailed social comments.
July 2, 2021
Cada vez melhor!!
November 16, 2024
Tezuka membawa kita melihat tumbuh kembang Dewadatta, anak Bandaka, yang mengenaskan. Saya membacanya sebagai kemalangan, namun juga terasa bagai karma. Sementara Siddharta di volume ini lebih dewasa, plot nya makin rumit dan tidak linear. Namun selalu asyik membacanya, dengan tokoh yang makin banyak dan Siddharta yang makin teguh prinsip hidupnya.
July 30, 2017
The fact that I have read the first three volumes of Osamu Tezukas’ Buddha graphic novel means that I am enjoying the series. The young Siddhartha has renounced the royal life, including his loving wife and very young son. He is traveling as a Monk beginning to learn what it means to live the life of an esthetic, religious mendicant. Part of learning is learning what it practices do not make for positive spiritual growth and that there will always be temptations.
Tezuka continues his fondness for anachronism as a way to speed his plotting and make manifest what he want us to notice. Perhaps I am getting used to it, but it was less bothersome in this book than the last.
Given what little I know of the more traditional saga of Siddhartha, Tezuka’s version is more the author's version than the traditional one, but I trust him to tell a good story and not wander too far from how a Buddhist Monk would want to be represented. This freedom allows this story teller to introduce new characters and plot line and maybe make a better story.
For example a reoccurring problem is that of the circle of life. Nature is a violent and arbitrary place. Cute is no protection from the hungry and death feeds life. The nagging question is: What is the proper role of humans in an existence that is arbitrary and violent? Circling back, within the proper human role, what is the proper life for the religious?
The high standard of the graphic art is maintained. Much of India is lush and beautifully detailed. Poverty is somewhat romanticized.
So far we have the questions. If there are answers we have not yet seen them finalized into the new religion that Siddhartha will call into being as the Enlightened One: Buddha
Tezuka continues his fondness for anachronism as a way to speed his plotting and make manifest what he want us to notice. Perhaps I am getting used to it, but it was less bothersome in this book than the last.
Given what little I know of the more traditional saga of Siddhartha, Tezuka’s version is more the author's version than the traditional one, but I trust him to tell a good story and not wander too far from how a Buddhist Monk would want to be represented. This freedom allows this story teller to introduce new characters and plot line and maybe make a better story.
For example a reoccurring problem is that of the circle of life. Nature is a violent and arbitrary place. Cute is no protection from the hungry and death feeds life. The nagging question is: What is the proper role of humans in an existence that is arbitrary and violent? Circling back, within the proper human role, what is the proper life for the religious?
The high standard of the graphic art is maintained. Much of India is lush and beautifully detailed. Poverty is somewhat romanticized.
So far we have the questions. If there are answers we have not yet seen them finalized into the new religion that Siddhartha will call into being as the Enlightened One: Buddha
October 31, 2016
Buddha, Vol. 3: Devadatta continues a few years after book 2 leaves off. Siddhartha meets a monk named Dhepa and asks him to help him on his journey. The rest of their story is about them facing various trials and sufferings in the quest to attain enlightenment. However, there is a side story following Devadatta, who was born in the last book.
The art style in this book is classic Japanese manga. It is black and white, and Tezuka really tries to capture the emotion of particular scenes trough vast landscapes, seemingly unrelated panels and abstract art. Panels range from almost lifelike to very animated and exaggerated.
Image link:http://www.basugasubakuhatsu.com/blog...
I really enjoyed this installment of the series. The really starts to thicken, and it feels like the really theme and plot is really starting to emerge. Siddartha is finally starting to act like you would imagine a buddha to act like, and other plot lines have really started to develop. I am really excited to read book #4.
Siddhartha has advanced in his character immensely through this book. At the beginning, he barely knew what being a monk meant, but by the end, he was the king's holy man.
I highly recommend not only this book but this entire series to readers looking for a complex narrative with high-quality art.
The art style in this book is classic Japanese manga. It is black and white, and Tezuka really tries to capture the emotion of particular scenes trough vast landscapes, seemingly unrelated panels and abstract art. Panels range from almost lifelike to very animated and exaggerated.
Image link:http://www.basugasubakuhatsu.com/blog...
I really enjoyed this installment of the series. The really starts to thicken, and it feels like the really theme and plot is really starting to emerge. Siddartha is finally starting to act like you would imagine a buddha to act like, and other plot lines have really started to develop. I am really excited to read book #4.
Siddhartha has advanced in his character immensely through this book. At the beginning, he barely knew what being a monk meant, but by the end, he was the king's holy man.
I highly recommend not only this book but this entire series to readers looking for a complex narrative with high-quality art.
February 7, 2017
This book was less interesting than the two previous books, probably because required filler material is being presented. We are introduced to new characters and we see Buddha going through moral and spiritual growth. The graphics are nice.
March 6, 2024
It’s getting pretty fantastic now. Tezuka digs deeper into the emotional core of this series, and Siddhartha is shaping into a very enthralling character to follow. The stuff with devadatta is the highlight, with so many twists and turns to develop Buddha’s foil.
July 15, 2015
Thus begins the ordeals of Siddhartha, leading to naming him Buddha, the Enlightened One. Starting to truly dig this series.
January 27, 2015
wondrous stuff.
May 14, 2015
Nog eens niks dan bewondering en respect voor Tezuka. Tijdloos leesgenot voor lezers van 10 tot 100 jaar (of ouder).
May 17, 2016
3.5 sih.
Di sini lebih seru, mungkin karena gak setebal yang buku 2 ya, dan lebih santai :D
Di sini lebih seru, mungkin karena gak setebal yang buku 2 ya, dan lebih santai :D
August 13, 2016
'Bandakka' naturally triggers hatred in the readers and you couldn't know Devadatta's capacity until you reach book 7. Keep reading.
February 27, 2019
Another solid volume from Tezuka which has two separate story lines to tell.
The first story continues the plot from the first two books. Siddhartha has committed fully to the monk lifestyle, and looks to become enlightened. Along the way he meets another young monk who helps him prepare for the upcoming trials, which involve much suffering. I really like the way Tezuka grounds Siddhartha by making him respond in what I take to be a very normal way. He basically questions this method of suffering for enlightenment which would make anyone think twice. Siddhartha is definitely portrayed as someone who constantly questions methods and traditions. Just because something has always been or always been done in such a way, doesn't necessarily make sense to Siddhartha who is always asking: why? As he travels with this new monk, and another would be monk in training, they run into past friends who aren't so friendly anymore.
I really like Tezuka's pacing as he makes the story move effortlessly. One thing I did notice is that the art is not as detailed as vol 2. Which is not to say its a bad thing at all, as he probably is focused more on getting the story moving at this point.
The second story has to do with the titular character Devadatta. We spend quite some time on this character, and I suspect we are seeing the origins of a person who will play an essential role in Siddhartha's life. What I really took from Devadatta's story is the lack of stability and identity. He goes from being a normal kid, to being a wolf, to being a assassin beggar, etc... This constant changing is having a profound affect on the kid and you really get a sense of despair as you see him spiraling towards some dark place in the future.
I'm thoroughly enjoying the story and look forward to volume 4.
The first story continues the plot from the first two books. Siddhartha has committed fully to the monk lifestyle, and looks to become enlightened. Along the way he meets another young monk who helps him prepare for the upcoming trials, which involve much suffering. I really like the way Tezuka grounds Siddhartha by making him respond in what I take to be a very normal way. He basically questions this method of suffering for enlightenment which would make anyone think twice. Siddhartha is definitely portrayed as someone who constantly questions methods and traditions. Just because something has always been or always been done in such a way, doesn't necessarily make sense to Siddhartha who is always asking: why? As he travels with this new monk, and another would be monk in training, they run into past friends who aren't so friendly anymore.
I really like Tezuka's pacing as he makes the story move effortlessly. One thing I did notice is that the art is not as detailed as vol 2. Which is not to say its a bad thing at all, as he probably is focused more on getting the story moving at this point.
The second story has to do with the titular character Devadatta. We spend quite some time on this character, and I suspect we are seeing the origins of a person who will play an essential role in Siddhartha's life. What I really took from Devadatta's story is the lack of stability and identity. He goes from being a normal kid, to being a wolf, to being a assassin beggar, etc... This constant changing is having a profound affect on the kid and you really get a sense of despair as you see him spiraling towards some dark place in the future.
I'm thoroughly enjoying the story and look forward to volume 4.
February 5, 2020
The epic saga of the Buddha continues as Siddhartha starts his training with a monk on his path towards enlightenment. He expresses great compassion for an unwanted small boy that wants to be a monk. Meanwhile, another small boy, son of an dead, evil warrior, is judged by his heritage, shunned, teased, cast from human society, separated from his parents and raised by wolves. He learns, too soon, that the strong survive.
Truly, this complex, character-driven story is the very epitome of "epic saga". Interwoven with true wisdom about the complexities of humanity, compassion, good and evil, are complex characters, alliances, friendships, and romances. The thirst for power, is also the hunger for something more, beyond the tragic human condition. In the face of human cruelty, is also the human desire for compassion and peace. This is a powerful, compelling story, as much as it is just clever, character-driven, exciting and entertaining storytelling.
[Five stars: It was amazing.]
Truly, this complex, character-driven story is the very epitome of "epic saga". Interwoven with true wisdom about the complexities of humanity, compassion, good and evil, are complex characters, alliances, friendships, and romances. The thirst for power, is also the hunger for something more, beyond the tragic human condition. In the face of human cruelty, is also the human desire for compassion and peace. This is a powerful, compelling story, as much as it is just clever, character-driven, exciting and entertaining storytelling.
[Five stars: It was amazing.]
August 13, 2017
Devadatta picks up from where the Four Encounters lets off. We see the Prince already starting off his journey as a monk. He has already sacrificed his family life and his claim to the throne of Kosala. Along with Dhepa, he is getting acquainted with the aesthetic lifestyle where one forfeits one's claim to the physical aspects of life in order to deeply understand the actual reason behind the sufferings that is bestowed upon humans.
Dhepa believes in making the body suffer in order to prove that one is on his way to achieving ultimate salvation. It is at this juncture we are introduced to Assaji, a son of a hunter, who aspires to be a monk but appears to be unfit for such a tasking lifestyle. Despite their repeated attempts to rebuff his company, the child continues to pursue them in an unrelenting manner. In the same time, we are once again reacquainted with Devadatta - the son of the cruel Bandaka - and his growing years. Despite being a somewhat closed-in child he tends to carry that inherent sense of cruelty that has been apparently passed onto him by his deceased father.
The third book in the series talks about the essential step in Buddha's (read Prince Siddhartha's) ascension to the enlightenment status that is normally associated with him. The challenges that apparently seems to line his way to the compassion that drives him. It mirrors all such aspects through small anecdotes being thrown here and there as well as acts being devised to particularly showcase that.
Osamu has this brilliant ability to get his points across through imagery and the subtle usages of modern day depictions, in order to, only go ahead to tell the readers the basic foundation upon which the entire story is based upon which is one of intense recollection and re-establishment of the legacy of the man who shaped up an entire faith based on his belief of the value each life carries and the sufferings that tends to trouble it.
"The human spirit is the only element that holds the most value. The body is nothing but a way of covering that precious fragment and making sure it is taken care of, properly."
Dhepa believes in making the body suffer in order to prove that one is on his way to achieving ultimate salvation. It is at this juncture we are introduced to Assaji, a son of a hunter, who aspires to be a monk but appears to be unfit for such a tasking lifestyle. Despite their repeated attempts to rebuff his company, the child continues to pursue them in an unrelenting manner. In the same time, we are once again reacquainted with Devadatta - the son of the cruel Bandaka - and his growing years. Despite being a somewhat closed-in child he tends to carry that inherent sense of cruelty that has been apparently passed onto him by his deceased father.
The third book in the series talks about the essential step in Buddha's (read Prince Siddhartha's) ascension to the enlightenment status that is normally associated with him. The challenges that apparently seems to line his way to the compassion that drives him. It mirrors all such aspects through small anecdotes being thrown here and there as well as acts being devised to particularly showcase that.
Osamu has this brilliant ability to get his points across through imagery and the subtle usages of modern day depictions, in order to, only go ahead to tell the readers the basic foundation upon which the entire story is based upon which is one of intense recollection and re-establishment of the legacy of the man who shaped up an entire faith based on his belief of the value each life carries and the sufferings that tends to trouble it.
"The human spirit is the only element that holds the most value. The body is nothing but a way of covering that precious fragment and making sure it is taken care of, properly."
May 4, 2022
Hooter: A graphic novel representation of the journey of Buddha
Took a while to land my hand on the 3rd volume after having read the first two. Turns out a colleague has the entire collection of 8 volumes. Osamu is a genius in the graphic novel world of Japan and this retelling of a historical event is way out of his comfort zone. That said he makes it a fun read, like you are reading a comic book ( graphic novelists are seeing red with that term) as he tries to incorporate childish humour and pranks in a story that motivates and inspires people around the world.
Siddhartha continues to meet new people on his journey - another monk Dhepa and a little kid monk who can foretell the future thanks to a fortuitous event apart from brigands , jealous kings and lovers. The pace continues to be slow in terms of the storyline and am hoping the longer story arc brings this alive because stand alone, there are a few highs but the storyline seems to get a bit repetitive.
Took a while to land my hand on the 3rd volume after having read the first two. Turns out a colleague has the entire collection of 8 volumes. Osamu is a genius in the graphic novel world of Japan and this retelling of a historical event is way out of his comfort zone. That said he makes it a fun read, like you are reading a comic book ( graphic novelists are seeing red with that term) as he tries to incorporate childish humour and pranks in a story that motivates and inspires people around the world.
Siddhartha continues to meet new people on his journey - another monk Dhepa and a little kid monk who can foretell the future thanks to a fortuitous event apart from brigands , jealous kings and lovers. The pace continues to be slow in terms of the storyline and am hoping the longer story arc brings this alive because stand alone, there are a few highs but the storyline seems to get a bit repetitive.
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