Buddha, Volume 2: The Four Encounters

The second book in the classic eight volume graphic novel series retelling the story of Buddha | from the godfather of the genre – an irreverent and humourous rendition of the life and times of Prince Siddhartha.In book two | The Four Encounters | Prince Siddartha – fated to become the Buddha – is confronted by the harsh penalties of social injustice within his own kingdom | fuelled by selfish warlords and villains like the depraved warrior | Bandaka. The tragic fortunes of his loved-ones | such as Tatta the rogue and Migalia the fierce female bandit | force the Prince to choose between love and destiny; Siddartha must forsake his heart and begin his pilgrimage.Originated in the 1970s | Buddha is Osamu Tezuka's unparalleled rendition of the life and times of Prince Siddhartha.Tezuka's storytelling genius and consummate skill at visual expression blossom fully as he contextualizes the Buddha's ideas; with an emphasis on | action | emotion | humour and conflict as 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 | his approach is slightly irreverent in that it incorporates something that Western commentators often eschew | namely | humour.