1 KAPILAVASTU - 2 THE FOUR ENCOUNTERS - 3 DEVADATTA - 6 ANANDA
Osamu Tezuka’s Buddha is een manga-serie die het leven en de leer van Siddhartha Gautama, de historische Boeddha, opnieuw verbeeldt. Manga zijn Japanse stripboeken die gekenmerkt worden door een unieke tekenstijl. Renske Vonk vertelt erover in de eerste aflevering van 'Boeken die raken'. De Nederlandstalige boeken van de Boeddha-serie zijn helaas niet meer in druk verkrijgbaar, maar er zijn nog wel Engeltalige uitgaven.
De Buddha-serie, die oorspronkelijk werd gerealiseerd tussen 1972 en 1983, combineert historisch onderzoek, filosofische reflectie en Tezuka’s onmiskenbare vertelstijl. In plaats van een afstandelijke, geïdealiseerde heilige neer te zetten, portretteert Tezuka Boeddha als een diep menselijk figuur, gevormd door lijden, twijfel, mededogen en morele worsteling.
Naast Siddhartha’s persoonlijke reis introduceert de manga fictieve personages wier levens zich met het zijne kruisen, waardoor Tezuka thema’s als kaste-onderdrukking, geweld, verlangen en spiritueel ontwaken kan verkennen. Het resultaat is een groots episch verhaal dat zowel toegankelijk als diepgaand is en lezers aanspreekt die geïnteresseerd zijn in geschiedenis, religie, spiritualiteit, filosofie en visual storytelling.
Hieronder volgt een beschrijving van de vier uitgaven die nog in het Engels in druk verkrijgbaar zijn.
1 Kapilavastu - Buddha Volume 1
The opening volume sets the stage in the ancient kingdom of Kapilavastu, where Siddhartha is born into royal privilege. Tezuka contrasts the luxury of palace life with the brutal realities faced by the lower castes, immediately introducing one of the series’ central themes: social injustice. Alongside Siddhartha’s early years, readers follow characters such as Tatta, whose suffering highlights the cruelty of the caste system. This volume focuses less on enlightenment and more on the conditions that make Siddhartha’s future quest inevitable, grounding the spiritual story in a harsh, vividly depicted human world.
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2 The Four Encounters - Buddha Volume 2
Volume two centers on the famous Four Encounters that shake Siddhartha’s sheltered worldview: old age, sickness, death, and the sight of a holy man. Tezuka presents these moments not as simple revelations, but as emotionally charged experiences that provoke fear, confusion, and moral conflict. Siddhartha begins to question the meaning of his comfortable life and the value of power and wealth. At the same time, the struggles of supporting characters continue to unfold, reinforcing the idea that suffering is universal. This volume marks the true beginning of Siddhartha’s inner transformation.
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3 Devadatta - Buddha Volume 3
Named after one of the series’ most complex characters, this volume explores ambition, resentment, and the darker sides of human nature. Devadatta, Siddhartha’s cousin, is portrayed as a tragic figure driven by anger and jealousy, offering a sharp contrast to Siddhartha’s growing compassion. Tezuka avoids simple moral judgments, instead showing how circumstances and choices shape destiny. Violence, revenge, and rivalry dominate much of the narrative, making this one of the most intense installments. Through Devadatta, the series asks difficult questions about free will, responsibility, and redemption.
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In this volume, Siddhartha leaves royal life behind and fully commits to spiritual practice in the Forest of Uruvela. Tezuka depicts extreme asceticism with both reverence and critique, showing its physical toll and spiritual limitations. Encounters with other seekers and teachers deepen Siddhartha’s understanding, gradually leading him toward the Middle Way. The forest becomes a symbolic space of testing, isolation, and insight. This volume emphasizes introspection and perseverance, capturing the quiet but profound struggle that precedes enlightenment and setting the stage for Siddhartha’s ultimate awakening.
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6 Ananda - Buddha Volume 6
Volume six shifts the focus toward Ananda, one of Buddha’s closest disciples, whose compassion and emotional openness offer a counterbalance to the more austere aspects of Buddhist practice. Through Ananda’s perspective, Tezuka explores the daily realities of the growing monastic community and the challenges of living according to the Buddha’s teachings in an imperfect world. The volume emphasizes empathy, memory, and the human need for connection, showing how enlightenment is sustained through care for others. Ananda’s doubts and devotion highlight that spiritual growth is not a solitary achievement, but a shared and ongoing responsibility.