Buddha, Vol. 5: Deer Park

by Osamu Tezuka, Yuji Oniki (Translator)

In the fifth installment of manga-godfather Osamu Tezuka's Buddha , engagement with death imparts the lesson of life's sancity. In a Machiavellian rise to power, Devadatta, a rogue aristrocrat, incites war between two kingdoms that will leave thousands dead. King Bimisara of Magadha, fearing death his son's own hand, withdraws fatherly love. The true measure of the Buddha's divinity will turn out to be a test of diplomacy - the power of words.

Genres: Manga, Graphic Novels, Comics, Buddhism, Religion, Japan, Fiction

350 pages, Hardcover

First published July 11, 1983

About the author

Dr. 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."

Reviews

[Gorab · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
Was in double minds whether or not continue with the series.
While Vol4 spread in all directions and I didn't enjoy it much, this volume has brought back the momentum of the root storyline.

For now, moving on to Vol6 of total 8.

[Drew Canole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant volume in this series - which is shaping up to be an all-time classic in my books.

Here we get to see Devadatta trying to rise to power by joining with Tatta who he turns into a warrior worthy of being a king's guard. Tatta is chosen as the champion to fight against the enemy nation Kosala - who's champion in the giant we met in Volume 4.

Meanwhile, Siddartha is the enlightened one but has yet to develop followers he starts preaching to Deer in Deer Park.

There's a lot of plot in these books and a bit difficult to summarize as all the storylines slowly intersect.

Tezuka is so great at combining fourth-wall breaking humour, action, character development, illuminating short-stories, everything.

We also start to get some of the early lessons of Buddhism in this volume - which I'm looking forward to more of. I've quite interested in the real world lessons, I'll probably pick up a non-fiction book on buddhism to accompany my reading of the final few volumes.

[Dioni · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the end of the previous volume I wasn't sure what would happen after Siddharta attains enlightenment and becomes Buddha. In my head I always imagined he's ascended to heaven soon after, or something like that (obviously influenced by Christian teaching, I'm aware). But his journey on earth continues like usual. He even still meets the friends and foes, everyone recognises each other, except that now Siddharta has an extra symbol on his forehead given by Brahma (god) and he radiates a kind of halo.

Establishing that becoming Buddha is not the end of the journey, Siddharta starts to spread his teaching, to animals and humans. There are 3 more books in the series, so I imagine the next volumes continue in this vein.

Devadatta takes a big chunk of this volume. Tezuka gave him a good look and neat clothing which usually are reserved for a good character, but he's a terrible human being. I'm still bothered by the fact we gloss over the awful things he did again, like murders in past volume, and this time poisoning Tatta's wife for completely his own gain. Monster in sheep's clothing, he is.

Tatta is one of the good guys, and he keeps his loyalty to Siddharta, and vice versa. Volume 7 is subtitled Prince Ajatasattu - the mixed caste prince who's prophesied to kill his own father. He's given quite a bit of role in this volume, and seems his role will be getting bigger. I guess I'll have to continue, having gotten this far!

[Anette Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ^_^

[Pétur Marteinn Urbancic Tómasson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit more action and Tatta based than the other volumes. Every single volume has been great so far, on to the next one.

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been waivering on this series, but here I begin to see its greatness unfolding. This is the best one yet, in my opinion. In this book Siddhartha is through his trials, and through much of his process of rejecting false paths to enlightenment. Not the Maciavellian rise to power (typified by Devadatta), not the caste system, not the violence of his friend Tatta, not the self-torture of the ascetics, who often bring on suffering and death. He did marry, he does love women, but in the end he goes a different way, one that focuses on love, on loving and communicating with nature, animals as equal beings/essences on the planet... feels like a timely approach we don't see in the same way in Judeo-Christian religions... He finds a way to heal that others might describe as saintly miracles, soul possession of the sick and needy, and his stature gains in the world. He doesn't love preaching/teaching but he is "called" to teach, and does, and in this book it is among deer and other animals in Deer Park... about being one with the universe, and being one and equal with al in nature...

This book still has some cartoony manga figures, but it is less cartoony, which suits me more.... Tezuka realizes that an eight volume tale of Buddhism needs entertainment, lots of sub-plots, and it IS manga, so it requires some cartoony figures, but they all serve in some way to reflect on the Buddha's path... though not in what I see as a didactic way... but its enticing in its draw to a spiritual life. Along the way he slips in these sort of authorial asides about the process of drawing this (for example, Tezuka found that too hard to keep drawing, so he drew this instead! or in a scene where the Buddha is literally sucking the poison out of his former girlfriend's (and currently, Tatta's wife's!) naked body, Tezuka writes in the corner of the panel, "What if the manga artist did not use words in a thought bubble to describe what is going on? What would you think is happening?" He has this sly humor that he slips in to his serious and dramatic story from time to time... But these are sort of trivial to mention; what is emerging here is the persuasive tale of a great spiritual leader, Siddhartha, become The Buddha, the Enlightened One... I like it a lot.

[Phrodrick slowed his growing backlog · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dear Park gets 3 stars because Book 5 of Osamu Tezudka Buddha series is not one of the better books. On a scale of 1 to Tezuka. It is a good book but this writer can do better. Having become Buddha, the Enlighten on, he is relegated to preaching to deer. However much they benefit from his teaching they are still hunted for food and sport. This theme is repeated for very dramatic effect but the lesson are never made explicit.

Every book has its anachronisms, and sometimes they are there to save time or to make a point. For example this one has a prince-ling reading comic books. This is forgivable because it allows the writer to say things about the universality of parent child growing pains and poke fun at the present. The sudden appearance of a American Indian was jarring and to no purpose. Instead of helping to move the plot forward or explain or make fun it just brought the plot to a full stop.

After the truly clever techniques that established Buddhism as distinct from mere aestheticism, and even more destroying the concept of spiritual achievement by self-imposed physical pain, very little is said in book 5 and less is new from earlier books.

Every book has had the problem of pointless violence. The violence of the weak against the strong has been a question from book 1. It is central in book 5 but it just hangs there. Again we get the nobility of self-sacrifice for the benefit of the others but again no conclusions are drawn

The art work remains superb.

I will finish these books. I cannot speak for their how closely they adhere to the story of Buddha or the core of his teaching. I trust Tezuka to lead me to think more deeply and not just about Buddha’s growth.

[Nidhi Srivastava · Rating 4 out of 5]

some bits were heart rending

[Nivas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Highlights:

The cunningness of Devadatta
The Fight between Yatala and Tatta
The story surrounding the Deer Park
The story of Sebu the ox

[Bigsna · Rating 3 out of 5]

The weakest in the series so far. The writing and dialogue are childish and what were funny quirks in the previous volumes became a bit annoying in this one. The storylines also a bit scattered in this one.

[Saravanan Meivel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A page turner story telling which easily told the eighth fold of Buddha's and eagerly moving on to next book for more learning of Buddha

[Ganesh Sreeramulu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this volume should be renamed as Tatta and the Deer Park. Tatta "The Bandit" transforms to Tatta "The warrior" as a pathway to quench his thirst for revenge at the Kosalans. While the enlightened Buddha tries to re-join his ex-sect and preach his vision of connected universe and co-existence.

Buddha quickly discovers that a herd of deer are more porous to Buddha's teachings as compared to the sheer hatred showered on him by Dhepa, for whom Trials is still the only way to enlightenment . Well atleast till the time that he gets a old-school blood transfusion from Buddha

[Vinay Vallala · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is filled with moving stories of selfless sacrifices.

[Fredrik Nael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Satu lagi selesai...

Dari kemarin-kemarin, review serial komik/manga ini pasti langsung kubuat begitu selesai baca, tapi karena ada duka cita di hari ini... :'( review ini jadi baru diselesaikan setengah hari usai selesai membacanya.

Buku ke-5 ini secara cerita sebenarnya isinya gak banyak.
Dimulai dari kisah Dewadatta yang sudah tumbuh menjadi remaja cowok cantik. Dewadatta akhirnya sampai juga ke Magadha dan bertemu dengan Tatta dan Migaila. Setelah mempengaruhi pandangan Tatta, Dewadatta akhirnya membawa Tatta ke hadapan Raja Bimbisara; Tatta sebagai petarung yang melamar menjadi prajurit kerajaan, dan Dewadatta sebagai manajernya (:D). Tatta kemudian menghadapi suatu side quest (kok jadi macam RPG? xD), yakni menyelamatkan Pangeran Ajatasattu dari kemurkaan gajah Nalagiri, dan keberhasilannya kemudian membawa Tatta menjadi pendekar tenar di Magadha.
Kemudian karena adanya konflik perebutan wilayah, maka diputuskanlah untuk diadakan duel tanding antara perwakilan negeri Magadha dan kerajaan Kosala. Tatta pun harus maju mewakili Magadha dan menghadapi jagoan Kosala yang tidak lain dan tidak bukan adalah Yatala si gergasi.
Duel maut pun terjadi yang kemudian diikuti oleh suatu (atau mungkin, beberapa) insiden yang membawa Dewadatta bertemu dengan Siddhartha yang sudah menjadi Buddha. Dewadatta pun akhirnya memutuskan untuk menjadi manajernya Buddha juga (xD).

Selang beberapa waktu, terjadi banjir di wilayah pertapaan Buddha (sudah pindah dari pohon Bodhi). Buddha diselamatkan oleh seekor rusa yang membawanya ke Taman Rusa... Mungkinkah kalau yang menyelamatkan adalah badak, mereka akan pergi ke Taman Badak? (eaaah!)
Intinya, Buddha akhirnya menetap di sana dan melakukan khotbah pertamanya kepada sekawanan rusa. Pastinya topiknya juga masih ada lah hubungannya dengan ke-rusa-rusa-an (xP), selain kisah tentang Sebu si lembu keren.
Di Taman Rusa, Buddha bertemu dengan Dhepa lagi (yang masih juga jahat!) dan Pangeran Kristal (yang malah lebih jahat daripada Dhepa! @_@).
Buddha kemudian membuktikan dirinya (dan ajarannya) kepada keduanya.

Lalu apa kelanjutannya?
Haiyaaa...
Langsung baca!

;)

[Helmut · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leben und Leiden
Buddha allerorten... der Kerl schleicht sich grade in verdächtig viele meiner Lektüren rein. Schaden kanns nicht: In Zeiten von brutaler Massentierhaltung und Umweltzerstörung tut es gut, Buddhas Verhältnis zu Natur und Tieren in diesem Band zu sehen.

Das Leiden ist allgegenwärtig und prägt unser gesamtes Leben, sowohl das von Tieren als auch Menschen - doch das muss so nicht sein. Der Erleuchtete kämpft für jedes Leben und scheut sich nicht, dafür sein eigenes Leben aufs Spiel zu setzen, auch wenn es so scheint, als ob nur das Rotwild des "Deer Park" empfänglich für die Lehren des ehemaligen Prinzen Siddharta sei.

Doch die Gegner Buddhas nehmen auch langsam aber sicher Stellung - Devadatta, der, wie im letzten Band gezeigt, die harte Schule durchmachen musste und nichts mit dem Mitleid und Mitfühlen Buddhas anfangen kann; der kristallene Prinz, dem Leben an sich egal ist; die etablierte Asketen-Elite, die das Leiden zum Lebenszweck erhoben haben... da hat der gute Buddha noch einiges vor sich.

So langsam fügen sich die einzelnen Erzählfäden der Vorgängerbände immer mehr zu einem Netz zusammen, in dessen Mitte Buddha sitzt. Ich bin gespannt, wie es weitergeht.

[Philip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great one. It's interesting to see how Tezuka develops Buddha's character throughout these books. Each installment has him a bit more mature, maybe a different hairstyle, or no hair at all.

The story in the 5th book revolves as much around Tata and Migaila as well as the newly recruited giant/warrior Yatala.

The pictures are as astounding as ever, and the story is flawless.

One question I have though, how much of the story is drawn from the life of Buddha, and how much is artistic interpretation or drawing from other sources? That's not a criticism, just a question.

[David Schwan · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK at this point in the story Siddhartha has already become Buddha. We get the tale of Tatta about half the book. Tatta and his wife are committed some point in the future to be disciples of Buddha. Buddha has been enlightened at this point. Most of this book deals with people not believing him. As usual great graphics.

[Tjibbe Wubbels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic stuff. This story just keeps getting better and better.

[David Ramirer · Rating 5 out of 5]

wiederum schön erzählt, wie sich die geschichte weiter entwickelt und auch tiere teil des gesamten plans werden.

[Malvika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tatta is so adorable at times! I can't put down any of these books once I start them.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful!

[Harumichi Mizuki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yang mendengarkan khotbah Buddha pertama kali adalah... para rusa. Weh.

Buddha tidak menyetujui pertapaan para rahib yang ekstrim dalam menyiksa diri sampai ada yang terbunuh. Tergila-gila pada kenikmatan kehidupan itu kesia-siaan. Tapi tergila-gila pada penyiksaan diri itu juga kesia-siaan. Kalau aku tahunya konsep, jangan menzalimi diri sendiri. Sepertinya itu konsep yang mirip.

Para makhluk hidup semuanya berhubungan. Tak ada yang hidup sendiri-sendiri. Karena itu agar terlepas dari penderitaan hidup, para makhluk hidup harus saling menolong.

Buddha lalu menceritakan kisah soal raja rusa yang mengorbankan diri untuk dibunuh pasukan raja manusia agar kawanannya tidak dibantai. Juga kisah Sebu si sapi yang menjadi manusia setelah bersusah payah bekerja tanpa istirahat selama sebelas tahun. Namun, begitu ia jadi manusia, dia memberikan tubuh-tubuh manusianya kepada para makhluk hidup lain yang membutuhkan pertolongan sehingga ia kembali menjadi sapi dan mati dipanah para warga desa yang ketakutan melihat transformasinya. Sebu diceritakan masuk alam dewata setelah ia tewas karena kebaikan budinya. Jujur saja dua kisah pengorbanan ini membuatku hampir menangis.

Tapi aku mulai terganggu dengan sisipan humor-humor modern yang dimasukkan dalam serial ini. Ada metode transfusi darah yang dilakukan Buddha untuk menyelamatkan Dhepa. Adegan-adegan semacam ini sangat mengaburkan keautentikan cerita. Kukira aku bisa dapat gambaran soal biografi Buddha dari serial ini. Sayangnya, tampaknya komik ini hanya menggambarkan sifat Buddha, sedangkan momen-momen di dalamnya kebanyakan fiksi. Interaksi Buddha dengan para karakter fiksi ini sangat dominan dan memengaruhi jalan cerita loh. Aku baru tahu kalau Tatta itu fiksi. Kesel kan. Sirohnya jadi campur-aduk gini. Aku akan cari sumber lain yang lebih akurat untuk mendapatkan biografi Buddha.

Tapi tetap saja aku akan terus membaca seri ini sampai selesai. Soalnya udah kadung ngikutin. Huffh.

[Tarique Ejaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Siddhartha has finally achieved enlightenment. He has become the Buddha. A name he was christened with by Brahman - the One and all. He is asked by the one who divulged the enlightenment to him to spread his teachings. Apart from that, we are also led into the lifestyle of other protagonists in the story. Characters like Tatta, King Bimbisara, Dhepa - the Samanna and others.

The best thing about Osamu's work is that it is very-much-tongue-in-cheek. His caricatures are not only intricate in nature but have this realistic feel attached to it. The way he communicates intense and deep messages through trivial imagery is way above the thought-processes of the regular human being. The concept of the fourth-wall is utilized to the fullest as the characters seem to communicate with the readers on intense topics, particularly related to the art on display.

Tatta finally finds his way to Magadha through Devadatta who has his eye on the impending doom of Kosala, whose armies had taken away his childhood in a way. Utilizing Tatta's ability he is able to make himself an asset to the Magadhan Kingdom and it is through him alone that he encounters Buddha and becomes a disciple of his, awed by his aura and enlightenment.

Buddha is able to preach his sermon and way of life and it starts with a single deer who heeds his sayings. It grows on until even the ascetics from the Forest of Trials come forth to listen to the man who spoke God in his words.

Deer Park is an interesting addition to the legacy of the Buddha as presented through Tezuka's eyes and one can only look forward to more such tales in the upcoming books.

[Alex E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid volume of Tezuka's Buddha. In this one, we get a lot more action and forward movement, plot-wise.

Tezuka's art keeps impressing me. With every volume, Tezuka's action drawings are much more dynamic and well paced. You can follow blow by blow, movement by movement of a fight between characters. We also get amazing landscapes and nature drawings in general as always.

What strikes me most about Buddha is that I am not only engrossed in Buddha's tale of how he became "the enlightened one", but also by the side stories of the characters around him. Princes, beggars, enemies, friends, they all are touched in one way or another by Buddhas influence on the world, and many times, they come into direct contact with him. Whether its for a benevolent reason or a malicious reasons, largely depends not only on the characters, but where the character is in terms of their life or the story in general.

Its great to see a comic where the characters are very much not limited by notions of "good" or "bad". They have to react to life as it comes to them, and make choices which sometimes seem bad, but when you know their backstory and circumstances, you realize they may be desperate or misguided.

Overall, the second half of Buddha begins wonderfully with a lot of dynamic action and the usual irreverent comedy that makes this book so charming. The weight of the plot is off put by the situational comedy that only enhances the overall experience.

Cant wait to read vol 6.

[Kelsey Dangelo-Worth · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this volume of the life of the Buddha, the now enlightened one attracts a following, of men and animals, due to his teachings and his understanding of the suffering of all. Meanwhile, his friends are stuck on both sides of political conflicts, on their own trails of suffering and trying to live compassionately.
What marks this story is not only the humor and beauty of the characters and situations, but all this in the face of the brutal nature of the world--the cruel human world and the cruel world of animals and nature. There is death, pain, and loss, all deeply painful, but there is a hope, understanding, compassion, and empathy. At its heart, this is the story of the interconnectedness of all things, and how we should have understanding and love for each other by understanding how we are all equal in suffering.

[Juan Manuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

My personal favourite of the series so far.
Siddharta attains enlightenment and becomes the Buddha. He is full of compassion, happiness and love for everyone. Even his enemies.
This book goes to some very profound places, expresses the infinite and communicates the depth of Buddhist philosophy, while being fun, joyful and just plain beautiful.
The illustrations are flawless as usual, and the rest of the crew engage in the usual shenanigans. But this volume breaks with the traditional story arcs, by elevating Buddha to Enlightenment and having him spread love and peace everywhere he goes.
I am truly inspired and excited about this book.
Love it.

[Evi Rezeki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dewadatta dan Tatta berkolaborasi untuk mencapai tujuan masing-masing dengan menjadi pengawal istana Magadha. Bertemulah mereka dengan Raja Bimbisara dan putranya. Keduanya langsung menjadi orang-orang kepercayaan raja dan pangeran.

Obsesi Dewadatta membuatnya gelap mata, menghalalkan segala cara, dan pada akhirnya menyengsarakan Tatta dan Mighaila. Sekali lagi Mighaila menderita karena mesti kehilangan suara. Tatta meminta bantuan pada Buddha. Peristiwa itu disaksikan Dewadatta yang kemudian ingin menjadi murid Buddha juga.

Di Taman Rusa, Buddha kembali bertemu dengan kawan-kawan rahibnya yang telah memusuhinya. Namun satu per satu kemudian menjadi pengikutnya.

[Nicolo · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been years since I read a volume of Osamu Tezuka's Buddha. I have only read three volumes and not necessarily in a sequential order, with significant gaps in between.

When I finally got a copy of volume 5, I overpaid on a used remaindered copy with significant scribblings by the former owner. It's not in good condition, missing its obi, but at least all its pages are attached and no water damage. Score! Even if I did overpay.

Buddha was published twenty years after Astro Boy, when Tezuka was an author at the height of his powers. Thus, Tezuka was able to produce a mature but approachable work.

[Sinta · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the adaptation of the Nigrodhamiga Jataka (the king deer tale). The adaptation of the Nandi-Visala Jataka (Sebu the Ox) was okay too. I keep reading these for sections of insight like that, despite the side-plots I don’t enjoy so much (e.g. Tatta, Migaila, Devadatta)

I also hate how much sexism there is in these comics. Migaila is used as a classic female prop, and is not her own fleshed out character. The image given for ‘touch’ when describing perception is touching a sexualised woman (what the heck? very buddhist…)

[Norman Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this volume, Siddhartha, now known Buddha, plays more of a supporting role. While he meditates in forests and caves, preaching his philosophy to animals, his acquaintances Devadatta and Tatta take center stage. There's a lot going on as we see Buddha's philosophy mature and start to spread to others. Tezuka uses humor, including anachronisms and breaking the fourth wall, to good effect, but it also tends to blur the core message as to what is "real" and what is "fiction". Overall, though, there's enough excellent character development, action, and artwork to keep one eagerly reading.