Buddha is an epic retelling of the life of the founder of Buddhism, Siddhārtha

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SUMMARY

Tezuka Osamu’

s 

Budda

 (Buddha) is an epic retelling of the life of the founder of Buddhism, Siddhārtha 

Gautama, in manga form. It ran as a serial in the magazine 

Kibō no Tomo

 (Friend of Hope) for over ten 

years,  first  appearing  in  September  1972.  This  study  aims  to  develop  a  new  understanding  of  the 

narrative by applying the methods of Buddhist literary interpretation to 

Budda

. 

The striking opening sequence, drawn without dialogue, tells how three animals, a rabbit, a fox, 

and a bear, try to bring food to an old man who has fallen by the roadside. The rabbit, having no other 

way to help, off ers its own body by leaping into a fi re. Taken from the 

Jataka

, the literature concerning 

the Buddha’

s previous births, this tale was well known in Japan as an account of the origin of the 

markings of the moon, which Japanese folklore likens to a rabbit. The rabbit’

s act, known in Japanese 

as 

shashin

 (self-sacrifi ce or self-immolation), is one of the most noble acts in Buddhist belief and a theme 

of great importance since the earliest Buddhist narratives.

In fact, Tezuka’

s 

Budda

 contains two other instances of self-sacrifi ce. Interestingly, on all three 

occasions the act marks a spiritual turning point for the ascetics who witness it. One of these witnesses 

is Siddhārtha, and the experience is pivotal to his becoming the Enlightened One.

Together  with  the  encounter  that  Siddhārtha  himself  experienced,  the  story  of  the  rabbit  is 

presented once again in the Buddha’

s teachings at Vulture Peak, which form the climax of the tale. 

Thus,  the  opening  episode  plays  a  significant  role  in  the  work 

Budda

  viewed  as  a  coming-of-age 

narrative about Gautama Buddha. 

HASHIMOTO  Akihiko

The Signifi cance of the Opening Episode

Tezuka Osamu’

s 

Budda

 (Buddha) :

Self-Immolation and Its Meaning in