Buddha, Vol. 7: Prince Ajatasattu

by Osamu Tezuka, Maya Rosewood (Translator)

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.

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

420 pages, Paperback

First published August 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

[Drew Canole · Rating 5 out of 5]

The penultimate entry of this fantastic series. What a great series.

The plot really comes together here with all the various characters we've met along the journey interacting in a big way. Buddha uses his knowledge to aid numerous people and help end enslavement for his family and their people.

There's not much I can say that I haven't said in earlier reviews. Tezuka is a master of this style of manga. If you took certain panels out of context, it could appear silly with some of his jokes like characters referencing the Yankees and other modern things. But in the book it really works, those stand out as little jokes a lecturer may make while talking about history. Even with the silliness Tezuka manages to remain focused on telling a sweeping historical epic.

I'm already knee-deep in the 8th and final volume.

[Philip · Rating 5 out of 5]

I get mocked. Often. Maybe I should be offended by it, but generally I'm not. I understand that well over half my religious beliefs and convictions defy logic. Sometimes, when I'm thinking rationally, I can't believe half the beliefs that I believe - which isn't to say I don't believe them.

That's the problem with religion and supernatural: it's not rational. And that's the problem with people - they're always equating rational with good and irrational with bad, but that's not always the case. Point: Stalin said, "The death of one man is a tragedy, the death of millions is a statistic." That's rational thought for you. Eugenics, let's face it, rationally it makes sense - but I bet most of the world would be against it - and rightly so.

These Buddha books are fantastic. The art, the stories, the plots and sub-plots. Above all though, they make you think - which is a most difficult task given our tendency to zone out all the time.

My relationship with Jesus Christ is a paradox. I have complete faith in my salvation, while I question my interpretation of the Bible. I don't doubt at all, and I doubt it all.

Maybe it's possible to remain open-minded and convicted at the same time.

What I noticed about Tezuka's Buddha series is how much Buddha's life parallels that of Jesus Christ's. I've wondered throughout whether or not that's the way it was, or if Tezuka added it to make a better story.

Some examples: Buddha was born a prince - he would be a King. He had a select group of close disciples, but he also had thousands of others that came to hear him speak. He healed the sick. He raised a girl from the dead. He was persecuted for his beliefs. He had to go through trials and ordeals - like Christ in the wilderness. He talked about being born again. His people wanted a strong and political leader, whereas he brought a message of peace... on and on...

I have always believed (and continue to do so even after reading this series) that John 10:16 ("I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice...") was talking about the Gentiles, non-Jewish Christians like myself. But I've also wondered if it could be more than that. I'm willing to wager that some people would believe that even having that thought (let alone writing it down) crosses the border into actual heresy from imagined heresy and probably calls for secondary separation. But I'd also remind them that it's the same chapter a few verses later that says, "I give them eternal life, they shall never perish and none shall ever pluck them from my hand."

Who knows, maybe the Baha'i Faith is right and many people have legitimately spoken for God in different times. I guess Baha'i would be like a Universalist Dispensationalism...

I also know that many of my Christian friends who will end up reading this - most via facebook - are probably appalled that I'm reading a book on Buddha in the first place. They (possibly correctly) believe that the book that is sufficient for all life is the Bible, and one needn't read anything else - especially if it causes trouble. But, of course, I don't see this as trouble. (And neither did C.S. Lewis I may add: "The man who is contented to be only himself, and therefore less a self, is in prison. My own eyes are not enough for me, I will see through those of others. Reality, even seen through the eyes of many, is not enough. I will see what others have invented. Even the eyes of all humanity are not enough. I regret that the brutes connot write books. Very gladly would I learn what face things present to a mouse or a bee; more gladly still would I perceive the olfactory world charged with all the information and emotion it carries for a dog. Literary experience heals the wound, without undermining the privilege, of individuality... in reading great literature I become a thousand men and yet remain myself. Like the night sky in the Greek poem, I see with a myriad of eyes, but it is still I who see. Here, as in worship, in love, in moral action, and in knowing, I transcend myself; and am never more myself than when I do.")

Ultimately, I hope reading these books helps me grow in my faith as a Christian (even though the opposite may at present seem true) and keep me on the path of seeking truth.

If there's one thing I believe all theists (mono, poly, pan, whatever) currently hold to it's that God is just. Whether you're a Muslim, Jew, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, or whatever - you probably believe God to be just. So, that said, I still whole-heartedly believe in those irrational tenets. And if I'm wrong, and if I end up in Hell, God will get the glory which is ultimately all that matters in the end.

Sorry atheists for not addressing you. You're (collective - atheist/theist) all more than welcome to watch these two pillars have at it and then maintain the same presuppositions as when we came into it in the first place...

Also, my apologies for not addressing that much of what went on in this: the fantastic seventh volume of the Buddha series. I just figure if you've read the first six, you're going to finish it out even if the last two are complete crap - which they aren't.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume is once again treading on familiar ground - how religious practices and precepts are twisted by those interested in amassing power. It started out simple enough. Individual men -- monks, commoners, princes, being moved by Buddha's teachings and devoting themselves to follow him. Then, as more powerful, teaching monks joined him, their followers joined him as well. Until there are thousands. Now that it's no longer a handful of followers, sitting at Buddha's side on a hill somewhere, there is a hunger for rules, for organization, for lines of power, demarcations of rank and status, and for right of succession.

All too familiar.

This volume is filled with tragedies that you can see coming a mile away. And a few, I suspect, that you can't.

One book to go.

[Helmut · Rating 4 out of 5]

Da hilft auch kein Botox mehr
Der Sprung, den Buddha in diesem Band macht, ist erstaunlich - als ob er von heute auf morgen 30 Kilo zugenommen und 30 Jahre gealtert wäre. Vielleicht ist es das gemütliche Leben, das er sich mit seinen hunderten von Schülern angewöhnt hat? Letztlich, wie es einem Erleuchteten auch gehört, erkennt er aber, dass es nicht damit getan ist, immer den gleichen Schülern zu predigen, sondern dass es noch soviele Menschen gibt, die er besuchen muss. Und was wäre besser geeignet, als sein Heimatland Kapilavastu? Doch dort erwartet ihn eine böse Überraschung: Man trifft sich immer zweimal im Leben...

In diesem Band werden die meisten der Fäden, die in den Vorgängerbänden angefangen wurden, nun miteinander verknotet. Tata, Devadatta, Ananda und viele andere sind nun vereint. Es wird auch mir immer deutlicher, warum ich mich mit dem Buddhismus nicht ernsthaft anfreunden kann. Diese kühle Gedankenreligion, die sich von allem Menschlichen lösen will, für die alles Körperliche nur Staub ist - das ist etwas, was ich, obwohl ich selbst ein extrem rationaler Kopfmensch bin, nicht akzeptieren kann. All das Leiden wird nur beendet, wenn wir uns von unserem materiellen Erbe lösen, von allem, was uns als Individuen ausmacht?

Die Figuren in diesem Manga strotzen vor Fragen, Selbstzweifeln, Selbsthass und anderen Problemen, die scheinbar nur ein anderer, Buddha, für sie lösen kann. Ich fände die Erfahrung interessant, in meinem Leben einmal jemanden zu treffen, der mir meine persönlichsten Fragen so beantworten kann. Gleichzeitig bezweifele ich, dass es so jemand gibt - ah, das Schicksal des Skeptikers ist grausam!

[Harumichi Mizuki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mereka yang berbuat kerusakan di muka bumi sebenarnya adalah yang paling menderita.

Tapi aduh, justru setelah Pangeran Kristal bisa nerima perkataan Buddha dan membebaskan orang-orang Shakya, para pemberontak mau nyerang? Nooooo!!!

Btw aku heran kenapa Visakha, perempuan pendukung Buddha ini perannya direduksi jadi wanita gila. Osamu Tezuka, didn't you go too far?

[Toon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the history of buddha, as well on how the story was told, this is true for all volumes

Initially read this series 5 years ago, but I have re-read it recently for the 3th time

[Fredrik Nael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buku ke-7.
Angkanya menunjukkan satu hal... serial ini segera tamat.
*mendadak sedih dan depresi* T__T (halah)

Di buku ini ada banyak kejadian penting. Mungkin ini juga sebabnya buku ini menjadi salah satu yang paling tebal dari seluruh buku di serial.

Kisah dibuka dengan kembalinya Buddha ke ibukota Magadha yang secara otomatis menggenapi janji Buddha kepada Raja Bimbisara.
Bimbisara kemudian memutuskan untuk memenuhi janjinya juga, yakni memberikan sebidang tanah luas di Wenuwana untuk membangun wihara bagi Buddha.
Namun di sisi lain, kembalinya Buddha juga mengingatkan Raja akan takdirnya yang pernah diramalkan Assaji dulu, bahwa dia akan mati di tangan anaknya, Pangeran Ajatassatu. Maka situasi pun memanas di istana.
Ajatassatu akhirnya dipenjara oleh ayahnya setelah melakukan upaya pembunuhan Buddha yang gagal.

Ahimsa yang dikira sebagai pelaku upaya pembunuhan itu, ditangkap oleh Yatala si gergasi dan dibawa ke hadapan Buddha.
Ahimsa kemudian mendebat ajaran Buddha tentang membunuh makhluk hidup. Buddha akhirnya memutuskan untuk menamakan salah satu sila dalam ajarannya itu dengan nama "Ahimsa"; tidak membunuh segala bentuk kehidupan atau anti-kekerasan.

Buddha yang terluka membutuhkan beberapa tahun untuk memulihkan diri dan di masa inilah, pose "Buddha tidur"-nya yang terkenal digambarkan mulai terjadi.
Buddha kemudian memutuskan untuk mencari seorang penerawang masa depan. Maka dia mengirimkan Ananda untuk memanggil Sariputta dan Moggallana ke Wenuwana untuk menjadi penerus bagi ajarannya.
Dewadatta yang sedari dulu berniat untuk menjadi penerus Buddha merasa haknya terenggut dan dirinya dicampakkan oleh Buddha. Dewadatta pun akhirnya meninggalkan Buddha dan merencanakan niat jahatnya sendiri untuk mengalahkan Buddha.

Buddha kemudian mendapatkan visi lagi untuk meninggalkan Wenuwana karena masih banyak orang yang menderita dan belum terselamatkan.
Diputuskanlah, Buddha akan berangkat ke wilayah Kosala, termasuk mengunjungi Kapilawastu, rumah Buddha, bekas kerajaannya dulu.
Buddha berangkat dengan hanya ditemani oleh Ananda, dan keputusan ini cukup mengecewakan bagi Tatta.
Dalam perjalanan ini, Buddha bertemu lagi dengan Visakha yang akhirnya turut serta mengikuti Buddha, serta Ahimsa yang masih mendendam pada Buddha.

Buddha akhirnya tiba di Kapilawastu atas undangan Pangeran Kristal dan untuk pertama kalinya melihat kekejaman yang telah diperbuat Kerajaan Kosala kepada bangsa Shakya, penduduk asli Kapilawastu.
Buddha pun mengadakan perdebatan panjang dan adu kemauan dengan Pangeran Kristal demi membebaskan bangsanya, termasuk ayah, ibu, istri, dan anaknya, Rahula, dari perbudakan.

Nah, lumayan banyak memang hal pentingnya.
Dan sepertinya ada beberapa poin spoiler dalam hal plot, hahaha.
:D

Kesimpulannya, buku ini termasuk salah satu yang paling seru karena (hampir) semua tokoh akhirnya berkumpul di satu buku, dan pembaca akan mulai disajikan petunjuk-petunjuk mengenai konflik akhir, serta hal-hal yang mungkin akan terjadi pada tokoh-tokoh kita di buku terakhir nanti.
Ugh! Menegangkan! X_X

Oya, sebagai tambahan, ada hal yang belum sempat kusebut selama ini dalam review-review-ku tentang serial Buddha.
Mungkin ada orang-orang yang berpikir bahwa serial komik/manga ini isinya adalah materi-materi dalam kaitan tentang penyebaran agama Buddha, jadi tak perlu lah dibaca (dan bahkan sebaiknya dijauhi) oleh orang yang menganut agama lain.
Well, menurutku, salah.
Karena serial ini isinya murni tentang biografi Buddha (setidaknya begitulah niatan Osamu Tezuka, sang pencipta), tentang bagaimana kehidupan Buddha dalam kondisi sosial budaya di India kuno, tentang perjalanannya, tentang bagaimana dia mendapatkan pencerahan, dan seterusnya.
Aku bukan seorang penganut agama Buddha, tapi aku justru melihat banyak relevansi pembahasan dalam serial ini yang intinya bersifat humanis dan universal, misalnya tentang betapa berharganya kehidupan sehingga kita sebagai manusia harus menjalani hidup dengan sebaik-baiknya.

Dalam beberapa konteks, Buddha bahkan sangat mirip dengan nabi-nabi agama samawi. Buddha mengajarkan kebajikan dan berulang kali mengadakan mukjizat. Buddha menghadapi berbagai cobaan, bahkan dari iblis sekalipun. Buddha menyelamatkan banyak orang dan mendapatkan banyak pengikut dalam perjalanannya.
Cerita-cerita dan pesan moral implisitnya sangat menginspirasi dalam berbagai aspek kehidupan.
Jadi, aku justru merekomendasikan serial ini kepada semua orang, tidak hanya penyuka komik.
Kalaupun ada yang perlu diperhatikan adalah mungkin untuk pembaca anak-anak, perlu ada bimbingan dari orang tua, hehe.
:D

[Phrodrick slowed his growing backlog · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Volume 7, Prince Ajasattu, Osamu Tezuka regains the spiritual narrative and the dramatic tension that makes his Buddha novels more than worth the read. The anachronisms are too deliberate and the more aggravating for it, but they can be shrugged off as part of his style. The story line is moving to some kind of dramatic and this volume does a good job building to the ending. Artwork continues to range from cartoonish to beautiful. Content is family friendly even if casual nudity is on regular display.

Volume 7 finds Buddha at the heights of his power such that nothing can challenge his powers as the Enlighten One. He cannot foresee fate. HE suffers a nearly deadly assassination attempt and decides to send out Ananda to see another who might have this power to come and meet with him. Out of this search Buddha is called upon to return to his former kingdom and thereby challenge himself.

In doing so he leaves behind over 1000 adherents including his associate and too proud ex mentor Devadatta. It is his belief that the faithful are too many to be lead without an administrative organization and a designated spiritual heir. His preference is that he should be at the head of the administration and the heir apparent.

Clearly there are many threads and threats left behind among the believers and entirely new challenges to be face by the returning Buddha.
Vol 7 returns to a more spiritual set of struggles and lays out some particle examples of the life Buddha would have humans live. In this it is one of the stronger of the so far seven books. It ends by warning that there will be tragedy even if there is to be triumph.

[Evi Rezeki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buku ketujuh ini penuh dengan intrik dan dendam. Buddha kembali ke Magadha disambut oleh Raja Bimbisara, Tatta, Mighaila, dan murid-muridnya yang lain. Namun Pangeran Ajatassatu membenci Buddha karena ramalan Ashaji dulu bahwa ia akan membunuh ayahnya sendiri.

Raja Bimbisara memenuhi janjinya memberikan sekotak permata dan lahan di Wenuwana yang menjadi pusat tempat Buddha menyebarkan keyakinannya. Pangeran Ajatasattu memanah Buddha hampir mati. Wajah dan tubuh Buddha berubah tua.

Kesalahan Pangeran Ajatassatu menyebabkan Raja Bimbisara memenjarakannya. Padahal alasan sesungguhnya Raja takut pada anaknya. Kebencian terpupuk antara ayah dan anak tersebut. Dewadatta masuk sebagai pahlawan.

Buddha memerintahkan Ananda menjadi orang yang berkemampuan seperti Ashaji. Ia bertemu dengan Sariputta dan Moggalana. Keduanya diangkat Buddha sebagai penggantinya di Wenuwana karena harus mengembara menyebarkan syiar. Dewadatta tidak terima. Ia mengatur rencana jahat sepeninggal Buddha dengan memecah belah para biksu dan biksuni.

Buddha kembali ke tanah kelahirannya di Kapilawastu yang sudah dikuasai Pangeran Kristal dari Kosala. Akhirnya Buddha dipertemukan dengan anaknya, Rahula, istrinya, dan kedua orang tuanya. Rakyat Kapilawastu meminta Buddha memberikan ceramah. Di situlah Buddha memberikan pencerahan pada rakyat Kapilawastu dan Pangeran Kristal.

Pertemuan dan percakapan intens antara Buddha dan Pangeran Kristal membuat pangeran membebaskan rakyat Kapilawastu dan kembali ke Kosala.

[Alex E · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the previous couple of volumes of setup, we get a lot of payoff and forward movement in this volume.

The book starts off with action right from the opening pages as we have most of the cast from previous volumes, all combined to visit, see, or interact with Buddha again. His return to Kapilivatsu has been something that I don't think was really forecasted, but I definitely think there were a lot of loose threads left that needed resolution. We get this great storytelling technique by Tezuka to revisit old lands to see how they are changed and affected by the world, but more so, we get Buddha, who is a completely different person, reborn to visit a home that he may view as a distant memory, but ultimately only a step stone towards his mission.

Tezuka's art has reached a a point where the only time he is not drawing in a highly detailed manner, then it is because he wants our focus to be on what is being said, or in the action that the characters are undertaking. Besides this, we get really beautiful landscapes, further elaboration on patterns, weather occurrences, and more.

The volume ends ominously, under the false pretense of a happy ending. I cant wait to read the last volume, as Buddha's legacy will be cemented one last time.

[Randall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometime in the early 90s I picked up the Japanese series in bunkobon (small-format paperback; Goodreads has only one of those registered, so I'm listing the English versions instead). I recently found the set stashed away in some boxes, so I decided to read through it again.

Tezuka playfully inserts anachronisms from lots of periods, but especially modern times. And he uses comically ridiculous depictions throughout. It works for me. But if you're looking for straight-up historical fiction in manga form, this is definitely ain't it. In that case, maybe try the classic Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse, which I started reading along with Tezuka's version for the sake of contrast (I've only finished the first chapter of that, so I can't say much about it yet).

As for the Japanese level, I think that Tezuka's Japanese in this series is manageable for upper-intermediate to lower-advanced levels (sorry if that tells you practically nothing). Even without getting every word, you should be able to follow the story.

*Same comments and evaluation for each volume so far.*(less)

[cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eventhough the title is Prince Ajatasattu, but this instalment carries the story of all princes, Ajatasattu, Crystal and of course Prince Siddartha, Buddha himself.

Between Ajatasattu and Crystal Prince, I don't know who's the one has the sadder story. The one who lived with a father that fears him, affraid that someday he might be killed by his own son, or the one who had to lived everyday knowing he had sent his mother to death. But my heart moved by both of them. I just wonder, if they are the ruler of the society, and they both had their share of bad fate because of the caste system, why...oh why, did they not -at least try to- change the system. *Yeah, easier to say than to be done!!! I know. Just saying. :p *

Can't wait to read the last book.

[Roos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buku Ke 7,

Ceritanya memang lebih banyak pada konflik murid dan calon murid Budha, bahkan Budha sendiri dalam memaknai pencerahannya..apa yang dilakukan terhadap dunia yang memang lagi pada saat yang menderita dan banyak orang yangperlu diselamatkan atau bahasa bukunya "Dicerahkan".

Termasuk proses Budha saat kembali ke tempat asalnya, Kapilawastu bertemu dengan orangtua, istri dan Rahula, anaknya.

Apa yang akan terjadi di buku 8 yak? Setelah Pangeran Kristal dan Tentara Kosala kembali ke Kosala dan memberikan Kemerdekaan terhadap Suku Shakya.

Ehm....buku terakhir yak?

[Lachlan Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Osama Tezuka's homage to the life of buddha. He is irrerent and dazzling. From some works he is the cartoonist in jaunty berret through to the masterful landscapes of upper india 600 years BCE. His works also carries the pathos, humour and strength of on e of those people whose thoughts and sermons have delivered a world value system.

i don't know how long Osama labored over this work. His work is still relevant and a interesting way to understand more about buddha and his life. When finished try Buddhha by Karen Armstrong.

[David Ramirer · Rating 5 out of 5]

es war abzusehen, dass gegen ende noch die größeren herausforderungen antanzen, und der swarovskyprinz ist ne harte nummer. auch die machtspielchen in der beginnenden weltreligionssektenorganisation sind schön dargestellt. das finale wird sicher noch einmal alles toppen.

[David Schwan · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book Buddha has many disciples and at one point he goes on a long trip with one of them. Some story lines are still open and some get resolved. Kind of a transition book to the last book in the set. Nice graphics.

[ViNo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Puns hidden here and there puts a smile on your face. As the story moves forth the curiosity swells.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series only gets better. It has slowly turned from a wacky adventure story with Buddhist overtones into a strange and multifaceted spiritual epic. It is particularly beautiful the way in which Tezuka picks up threads from the opening volumes. It seems so long ago that characters like Devadatta, Tatta and Naradatta were introduced to us, and they return to the narrative on waves of nostalgia.

Tezuka is the master of the panel. He shapes and arranges them so creatively on the page. They slant, slide, break open, alternate between stunning cinematic landscapes and surreal cartoonish iconography, they sometimes draw attention to themselves, and are sometime invisible containers for immersive art.

Looking forward to the final volume.

[Yichen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me frustrated at everybody. King Bimbisara is unreasonably obsessed with a prophecy and reacts in the worst ways possible. Buddha offers him really no real consolation. Prince Ajatasattu reacts also in the worst way possible and tries to pin the blame on the only person that he can allow himself to hate. Wasn't Buddha supposed to be Enlightened? Wasn't he supposed to be a doctor for people's souls? These characters do get somewhat salvaged in the next book, but boy, is there a feeling of "people just do unreasonable things and they will keep doing it time and time again to avoid perceived pain."

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

The epic story of the Buddha continues as he and his disciples face internal and external suffering, trying to come to terms with their past, and their guilt. The Buddha grants the wisdom of peace in the face of suffering as he compassionately faces those who would kill him or corrupt his purposes. This beautifully, cleverly drawn graphic novel tells a powerful, human story, woven with humanistic compassion and philosophy of the interconnectedness of all things. A great story, told with humor and heart.

[Heri · Rating 3 out of 5]

sudah buku ke 7 dan buddha mendapat murid2 baru, beberapa musuh atau orang yang dikenal insyaf dan mengikuti ajarannya, tapi ternyata buddha baru berumur 40an. musuh yang paling berat dan paling kuat pun juga berdamai dengan diri sendiri atau dengan orang lain lewat ajarannya. tapi masih ada 1 buku dan beberapa musuh lagi yang entah akan berhasil disadarkan buddha atau mereka terkena karma ulah sendiri

[Juho Pohjalainen · Rating 5 out of 5]

We're coming full circle in a big way. Finally getting back to the start of the series and seeing some familiar faces, for some for the first time in years - for Buddha, for the first time in decades. It's rather bittersweet. I knew it wouldn't be pleasant, I knew there'd be suffering, and I suppose from the premise, I should have expected endurance and perseverence as well. And forgiveness.

Great cliffhanger, too.

[Shankhadeep · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wonderful collection on the life of Buddha keeps itself as a light comic but in the core do carry a beautiful message. Mostly light at heart, it sometime delve into some profound problems of the caste system, human sufferings, fear of death and human relations.
This series has intrigued me now to try out some classical stories on Buddha.

[Maya Poedji · Rating 5 out of 5]

Akh, malu rasanya baca komik ini...
Aq belum bisa lepas dari jerat nafsu. Dan apakah dengan menuruti nafsu itu, kau akan menemukan ketenangan jiwa?
Masih harus banyak belajar tentang pembersihan diri. Bener2 komik yg bisa bikin kita mikir dalem setelah bacanya...
Tapi bukan berarti ngga menghibur lho!
Karena kadang Tezuka menyelipkan hal2 kecil yang bikin ngakak 🤣

[Kimberley Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final two chapters in this volume were among the best drawn and most powerful in the series thus far. I can't believe I have only one volume left, I never want it to end! But I'm sure Buddha himself would have something to say about that.

[Juan Manuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The structures of power to sustain religion start to form and the conflict that that brings is part of this story.
Tezuka's genious really shines on the expressiveness, action lines and in general the humour of this endearing, revealing and ultimately enticing series.
Must read!

[Erik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Buddha is more of a focus than in the last couple volumes and I probably enjoyed this more than any of the others so far, especially when Buddha and Prince Crystal get together. Looking forward to the concluding volume.

[Evan Dewangga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Di sini Buddha bertambah tua dengan cepat. Hal yang selalu diulang adalah, orang jahat, seperti Pangeran Kristal, justru adalah orang yang malang karena hidupnya menjadi budak dari ego dan keserakahannya sendiri. Catatan penting untuk hidup saya.

[Nicholas Siebers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mature Buddha faces his history, and the Crystal Prince. Great stuff.

[N ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5, perhaps it was the choice of where they wanted to start and end this volume. I felt that it could have been better but I greatly enjoyed Ananda's story.