Buddha Paperback – July 1, 2014

Buddha by Osamu Tezuka is a 3056-page, eight-volume collection written from 1972 to 1983 loosely about Siddhartha/Buddha, with a look at a number of ancillary characters, mostly fictionalized. In the series, the Buddha is born, lives his life, and dies, surrounded by a number of interesting personalities. It is a damning look at India's caste system, and there are strong anti-violence themes.Volume 1: Kapilavastu, 400 pagesVolume 2: The Four Encounters, 411 pagesVolume 3: Devadatta, 333 pagesVolume 4: The Forest of Uruvela, 383 pagesVolume 5: Deer Park, 350 pagesVolume 6: Ananda, 368 pagesVolume 7: Prince Aiatasattu, 429 pagesVolume 8: Jetavana, 362 pagesThere are basically two versions of this set available in English. The most common, and the one I'm reviewing, is the Thomson Press edition, for sale only within the Indian subcontinent. The pages are thin, and it's generally of low quality, but the spine image is striking, and it comes with a slipcase. It is reprinted in mirror image so that it formats left-to-right, which I'm not a fan of. I paid $60 or so, including shipping. For an edition meant to last years, if not decades, I would recommend the Vertical Edition, which runs for $150 to $200.Either version receives my highest recommendations. Some people have bemoaned the quality of the $60 edition, but I found it to be more than adequate, and for the price, it's well worth it. I haven't read the entire series, but I like what I've read, and I know I'll cherish it in the upcoming weeks and months, as I complete the series. *****

I'm loving every bit of this magestic collection! Really fun and interesting if you like Tezuka's art. You don't need to be buddhist to apreciate this masterpiece of storytelling. Great deal for all 8 books, Box art looks great too!

You don't see an eight-volume set of anything every day; especially a boxed set of Japanese comic books labeled "For sale in the Indian subcontinent only". (These days online consumers laugh at such warnings.) But this is one of the magnum opuses of Osamu Tezuka, who reinvented comic books in Japan and for four decades rose from strength to strength and redefined the medium for the rest of the world. Tackling a sacred subject compounds the risk, but this epic manga collection deserves the name "masterpiece". Students of art, of popular culture, and those looking for a hefty but unfailingly entertaining and thoughtful read need to know that "Buddha" is available.

It is great condition for a used set and came so quickly from so far away! Thank you so much! I'm so glad to have my first set of manga from Osamu Tezuka and the price was just as awesome! Thank you!

Like what the others said, the paper quality is definitely a bit lacking. They're so thin that you can see the pictures on the back! If you do decide to buy this box set though, you can get a serious discount. So if the quality doesn't bother you too much, go for it, otherwise go for the Vertical edition. This edition does come with a nice box, although the condition of said box on arrival depends on who you buy it from.

It's a brilliant and beautiful dramatization of the life of the Buddha (and other relevant historical figures). It's so engaging and inspiring and filled with hope and excitement and love and.... Yeah, I don't know. It's just awesome. Every part of the story is catching and fun and beautiful. I was moved by the art and story both.

I have some problems with the delivery, but it all work out at the end, Thank for resolving my issue.

Arrived in fast and good condition. Good job!