All living things
...exists within the circle of life.
The strong prey on the weak.
And they in turn become someone else's prey.
Even in the human world the strong prey on the weak.
The great kingdom of Kosala were fighting with the kingdom of Magadha
...for supremacy over the river Ganges.
And then my own country
...the capital city of a small country at the feet of the Himalayas.
Kosala repeatedly attacked Kapilavatthu palace in Shakya.
Those who got caught in the war
...lived a life of suffering.
The people of Shakya eagerly awaited the birth of a new heir.
Maya, you...
I gave birth to prince Siddhartha
...and fulfilled my purpose in this world
...while praying that he will one day become a great king.
Maya! Maya!
And so I was reborn in heaven, where the 33 gods reside.
Siddhartha...
It is prophesied that you will become a great person
...that will erase the suffering of all living things.
For that purpose you threw away everything
...to become an ascetic monk.
Please, find the way to enlightenment.
Osamu Tezuka's Buddha - The Endless Journey
Robbers!
How pathetic.
Boss
There's only high quality stuff here. They will sell for a high price.
...right Migaila?
Tatta, let's take all the treasures to the village we passed by earlier.
Yeah.
I heard Kosala will attack Shakya again.
They are as cruel as usual.
I swear I'll destroy them!
Oh, it's just a monk.
Since you're a monk maybe you've heard of a man called Siddharta?
Siddharta?
He was the prince of Shakya but became a monk.
Right, Migiala?
Seriously. Abandoning his country and leaving. Where does he intend to go?
Asceticism or whatever.
It's all meaningless.
You're wrong!
Asceticism has a proper purpose.
To go beyond your own limits and become reincarnated as a better person in the after life.
As if there\s anything to gain by suffering.
If you accumulate enough self-mortification...
If you only have to suffer then even I became an excellent monk a long time ago.
Why don't you try burning your eyes with this fire?
If there is meaning to suffering why don't you have a taste of the pain I felt?
Come on!
If you can do it I'll believe you.
Hey, stop it!
As if he could do it.
I said don't do it.
Monk!
Are you okay?
Your hair and beard has grown out. This is awful.
I've only got some old rags and, but I have a razor.
Please come to my house and clean yourself up.
All right.
Welcome home, darling.
We only have this.
Never mind... Thank you very much.
It suits you quite fine.
Master.
...excuse me, but could you spare me a glass of water?
Sure can.
There are two monks in my house.
My name is Siddharta.
Siddharta... are you perhaps the Shakya prince?
I see.
My name is...
...Dhepa.
Dhepa?
Actually, I have favor to ask you.
My oldest son wants to become a monk.
This child here.
Come say hello, Asaji!
I'm in training. I can not take on any disciples.
Please help me somehow.
They only want less mouths to feed.
Let's go.
My eyes?
Uh, no.
I was told there's no meaning to self-mortification.
So I burned my eyes myself to prove them wrong.
Yourself?
Yes.
The greatest scene of asceticism I've seen was
...a man that got himself turned from human to a beast.
My master Naradatta
...lives a life free from desires and irrelevancies in the nature
...and learned many great things.
I'm certain that at the utmost limits of self-mortification there is a great reincarnation.
The more suffering you experience in life...
...the better person you will be reborn as in the next life.
Why don't we head to the ascetic forest?
Hey!
I'll warn you. If you bring that child
...you might not make it all the way.
What? It's over already?
A monk, uh?
We'll search for our next catch.
As cold-blooded and violent as ever.
Needlessly killing...
He is prince Virudhaka of Kosala.
Rumors say he's the son of the king of Kosala and a Shakya slave.
One day Suddhodana, the king of Shakya lied about a young slave woman's nobility
and offered her hand in marriage.
Let's continue our journey.
Hey! Wait!
As I thought. You're the monk from that time.
What are you doing here?
This child is sick. If we don't hurry and give him treatment...
Tatta's base
We got our hands on some nice liquor today as well.
Yeah.
This is the only medicine we have. It can't be helped. Have him drink it.
If it was the old me I would posses a bird and search for a better medicine.
So you can posses animals?
But I've lost that power now.
I want to help him, but his fewer won't go down until his leg is healed.
You told me your name was Tatta, right?
Yeah.
I've heard from Naradatta
...about a child named Tatta who possessed a mysterious power.
I heard that Tatta never aged from a boy though.
That's right. Since I lost my power I suddenly turned into an adult.
Tatta... please prepare a hot blade for me.
What do you intend to do?
I'm going to suck out the pus and burn the opening of his wound.
Got it, you'll have it in a moment.
It's ready.
Alright.
Do it.
He's not breathing!
Where am I?
Am I dead?
Asaji...
...you are not destined to die here.
Until that time comes
...you are destined to live alongside Siddharta.
Please support him.
He's sweating.
He regained his breath!
Thank goodness.
He's a tough little fella.
Tatta... you've come home?
Yeah, together with a sick child and two monks.
a sick child and monks?
Migaila...
That voice...
Siddhartha...
Really, this person?!
Why...
You will become a great king.
I'm sorry, Migaila...
Hey, Migaila!
I see, so you are Siddharta?
So you are the prince of Shakya after all.
I've been looking for you.
When I was still a kid
...Kosala soldiers massacred my mother and sister
and my friends as well!
I detest those Kosala bastards.
But with my social standing there's a limit to what I can do.
...a war between countries is something only a King can do.
Please!
Become a king and destroy Kosala!
I want to have my revenge!
I'm relying on you!
Siddhartha...
Please, I beg you!
Wait 10 years.
10 years!?
I will pass through Magadha and enter the ascetic forest.
I will practice asceticism for ten years, if I haven't found any answer by then
...I will return to my country.
That's right, Siddhartha...
...difficult training awaits you.
Geez... 10 years, huh?
A tornado!
It's a tornado!
A tornado is coming!
Huh, a tornado?
Even though it's this sunny, a tornado will come?
Everyone evacuate! A tornado is coming!
What is he rambling about?
Everyone hurry! Run!
Run fast!
How can this be?
A tornado really came.
Have a look at this!
Give way!
(Kingdom of Magadha)
My name is Bimbisara, the ruler of Magadha.
So you're the kid who forecast a tornado?
What do you want to know?
My future.
You'll be killed.
This insolent fool!
Don't speak rubbish!
Quiet!
Who will I be killed by?
By your son.
You will be killed by your son in thirty years
...then your son will receive divine punishment as well.
I see. Let me make a prophecy as well.
On the count of three you will die.
Why?
Does he need to take it this far?
Prepare yourself.
1...
2...
This is for you.
...3!
It's true. This child can really predict the future.
My death is not here.
So you even know when you'll die?
Yes, in another four years, four months and four days I'll die.
Well then, excuse me.
Wait... stay here and make predictions for me!
I can't.
...God has commanded me to accompany Siddhartha on his travels until the day I die.
Siddhartha?
A great monk who saved me.
Then where is this Siddhartha?
He is on the Pandava mountains on his way to the ascetic forest.
(Pandava Mountains)
From here on we can not ride! (Mountains Pandava)
All right. I'm climbing up!
Your Highness!
Wait here.
Are you Siddhartha?
No.
He is over there.
My name is Bimbisara, the king of Magadha.
Great monk
...won't you stay in my kingdom and be my adviser?
I...
If you stay I'll give you half of my kingdom!
If you desire more than you need
...only suffering will occur.
Greed is that dangerous.
...that is why I threw away everything and became a monk.
Death will befall anyone.
...but I was foretold that I will be killed by my own son in thirty years.
I do not know how to undergo it now.
I have feeling you can save me.
As I am now
...I cannot save you from the pain of knowing your own death.
But...
...I'm heading to the ascetic forest in Uruvela
...there I hope to find a way to escape the fear of death.
I understand.
I will wait for your return.
(Ascetic forest)
This is the ascetic forest!
Is this also training?
Yes, this is a bottomless swamp for practicing holding your breath.
This is a tree for hanging.
This is burying yourself alive in sand to fast.
And this is a casket for clearing your mind.
Excellent. A suitable place to train yourself.
There must be something at the end of self-mortification.
What are you doing?
I'm counting the days.
365 signs in one tree is equal to one year.
I will die on the fifth tree.
That's foolish...
...you're counting the days you have left?
Yes.
You're waiting for the day you die?
Aren't you scared?
Sure I'm scared, but it can't be helped.
If it was me I would go crazy.
How do you live each day without fearing death?
By carrying out my purpose in life.
One's purpose?
You will be reborn as something greater than man.
That is your purpose.
If you fulfill your purpose everyone will be saved.
How do I do that?
Can you feel the agony?
Face the pain and drag your soul out of that rotten body!
That is our only way to salvation!
Are you telling me to die?
Yes, because the human body is corrupted beyond help!
No, I will not die!
You haven't understood the purpose of asceticism.
...hurry and let that body rot in hell.
Die you fool!
Is it not foolish to get absorbed in torturing oneself?
By doing this will we really be saved?
Tatta, why are you here?
I will not let you die training.
Come on, eat this.
Thanks, but I'm fasting.
Eat!
Tatta...
So it was you who took Siddharta away?
Don't interrupt his training you devil!
Do you intend to let him die!?
Yeah, he might die.
Ridiculous!
Siddhartha! I beg you. Please eat this!
Dying while performing asceticism means receiving eternal glory.
Don't get in the way of his training you devil!
Get out of here!
Get out of here! Get out of here! Get out of here!
What?
Migaila!
Migaila?
Migaila is in that shack!
You traitor!
Get out of here!
Yo bastards!
Take this!
Migaila!
Migaila...
Who is it? If you come any closer I'll cut you down!
Tatta is that you?
...It's me Siddhartha.
The villagers burned down your shack. Are you okay?
How is Migaila?
Migaila is ill.
Ill? Can I come in?
Even if I let you she's not in any condition to meet you. She can't even move.
Even though we made it all the way here to protect you...
Migaila...
Siddhartha...
Please do not come here.
Migaila...
In addition to becoming blind you've become this ill.
How much must you suffer?
What are you thinking about? That woman?
Concentrate on your training.
I can not abandon people in torment.
It's blasphemy for a person to live in the ascetic forest but not practice asceticism.
You people don't understand a thing!
There is no one in this forest who is going through as much pain as she is.
Here, eat.
I do not want to.
You have to eat.
Tatta, go wherever you want.
There is no salvation for me. That's why...
Don't say such things, Migaila.
If I die you will become free.
Migaila...
...I swear I'll save you.
Is there no salvation for Migaila?
You will rescue her.
Save her? I? How?
The same way you did for me that time.
Suck out the pus.
Hey, stop it!
Stop!
This is the only way.
Wait! I'll do it for you. If you continue you will catch her disease.
If I get tired take over for me.
Let's do what we can.
Siddhartha, you...
My filthy body...
It's not filthy!
I wont stop until I've removed all poison or pus.
He's going to that woman again? How long will he keep this up?
Siddhartha, look!
She's almost cured!
Siddhartha...
Don't worry.
I owe you as well, how can I ever repay you?
Siddhartha!
You! Even though you're a monk
...you neglect your training and hang out with these lowlifes!
Enough! Get out of here right now!
Leave! Leave! Leave! Leave! Leave! Leave!
Siddhartha... we'll leave.
Please continue your training.
You promised you would return to your country and become a king but...
...I'll let it go.
While we were treating her illness all my anger disappeared.
I've somehow begun to understand that what you're doing is extremely important.
Tatta...
I cursed my fate and felt infuriated because I fell in love with you and got my eyes burned.
However because we met again I'm able to live like this.
...somehow I'm filled with feelings of gratitude.
Not only did you save my body but my heart as well.
Migaila...
When you've finished your training and have become a great monk
...make me your first disciple!
(The kingdom of Shakya - Kapilavatthu Palace)
What's that?
What's going on?
Yatala!
Enter now!
Keep it up!
This is a catastrophe!
Your Highness! Kosala forces has entered the palace!
Please run away!
I can not abandon my people!
Mom... I'm scared.
Don't fear, Rahula.
Your father has been assigned a very important task by your majesty.
...when he has completed his task
...he will surely come for us.
When the next full moon comes I will die.
But you look so healthy.
I will...
I will die being eaten by starving beasts.
By beasts? Was that predicted as well?
Yeah.
Will you die such a tragic death?
...whatever prediction, you will always be my best friend.
I will protect you.
Asaji!
Asaji...
At last the full moon has emerged.
I cant believe he'll really die today.
Asaji...
...I will not let you die.
Asaji!
Hungry, huh? Poor fellas...
You're so many but there isn't enough food.
You're about to starve to death.
I will make your stomachs full soon.
Get off!
Please stop it!
Siddharta, I understand your harsh self-mortification
...you're an excellent monk.
Not yet, I haven't suffered enough.
...He's been going on ever since Asaji died.
If he continues like this he will surely die.
He hasn't drunk water for ten days!
He might have reached the greatest state of asceticism.
I will become a rock.
A rock itself.
In a storm, I will become the water.
Have my body become one with nature?
Even though my heart is this clear, my body won't move.
Is this the death at the end of self-mortification that Depha was talking about?
Siddhartha, you must not die!
Asaji was born to be eaten by wolfs
...to convey to you that all life is connected.
So Asaji was eaten by wolfs to teach me the laws of nature?
That's right. To convey that message to you.
What a tragedy.
Stay alive, Siddhartha...
Who are you?
Asaji?
Thank god, you've regained your consciousness.
Would you like a second serving?
Your rice porridge saved my life.
You have my gratitude.
Trees, birds, butterflies, bees, ants...
...everyone come closer.
I have a wonderful story for you.
Siddhartha told everyone that
...to live is to support another life.
Eating for survival is the laws of nature.
If the wolfs that consumed Asaji are full then his death was not in vain.
Only humans continue to fight and slaughter in vain.
Because of that great suffering is born.
(Kosala Kingdom - Palace Square)
You're brave to come!
It was decided by me and the senate.
Sakhiya and Shodara have done nothing wrong. I want you to forgive them.
I will not!
I will exterminate the Shakya bloodline.
I will find your son Siddharta and kill him!
I will remove you from the face of earth!
Where are you going? Are you running away?
I will not return to the ascetic forest.
So it seems, but I will continue my self-mortification until I die
...then eventually surpass you and show you the rightness of asceticism!
Radical pursuits are meaningless.
If the lute's strings are too tight they will snap, if too loose it won't make a sound.
I will not pursue extreme asceticism or pleasures.
I will live a moderate life.
I will walk a calm and great path.
I see you've found your own path.
Go wherever you want. I will walk the path I believe in!
(Kosala Border)
Get up!
The shakya people that made me suffer, I'll make them work to death.
I'll have executions everyday until each and everyone of them are gone
Shakya scum die already!
Prince!
What is it, father?
Why did you imprison the queen together with the slaves?
That woman is a slave and a shakyan as well, right?
She's your mother!
If we treat a slave as royalty it wont set a good example for the soldiers and people.
There isn't enough booze!
Mother.
Yatala, you've come again.
I've found this great feast.
It's delicious. Please have a bite.
Sorry, I'll bring you another one.
Do not worry, thank you.
But you shouldn't come here anymore.
This is a workroom for female slaves.
Slave? That's awful!
You are the mother of Prince Virudhaka.
I will free you.
If I run away I will cause the prince problems.
Why did the prince make you a slave?
It's all my fault.
I lied about my social status and got married.
You're not to blame. You're an excellent person.
Slave or not you're a great person.
My real parents were killed.
It didn't rain for months so the soil dried and we ran out of food.
Because they were slaves they were killed to reduce the mouths to feed.
Dad!
Mother!
I'm so lonely. I love my mother.
You're a kind person.
But, do not mind me.
Mother...
If you are kind to me they will give you a hard time.
Don't worry.
Prince Virudhaka is kind. He took care of me.
I will try talking to him.
Enough. Stop!
So you brought food to that woman?
Fool. If you didn't do such unnecessary things I wouldn't have to punish you.
Prince Virudhaka, why did you imprison your mother?
She needs to know her place.
She hid the fact that she's a slave and married my father!
She's a lying sinner!
No! You mother is a good person. Not a sinner!
Don't fucking kid me!
I am royalty! How could I let a slave live in the palace?
Even if it's my mother.
How could you!?
Prince!
You're a bad person!
I won't lose.
Did you hear about the queen being a slave?
Yeah, I heard it from a Shakyan.
So the prince is practically a slave?
If it's for power I will withstand anything.
We've found Siddharta's whereabouts.
What!?
Another battle?
Prince Virudhaka...
Where are they going?
Shakyan prince! Siddharta!
I'm no longer a prince.
You and your family made me suffer!
I'll make the lot of you pay!
I'll make you perish!
Doesn't it make you angry or sad!?
You probably hate me.
Let it all out on me.
Take this sword and face me!
I will kill you!
Poor soul. If you're going to kill me then do it.
I don't hate you. I only pity you.
What are you saying? I'm killing your people
...and I will kill your family too. Even so you won't flinch?
Are you enjoying your revenge?
What?
Have it brought you joy even once?
...or does it make you suffer at night?
It hurts, right?
Don't speak nonsense!
What are you doing!? Kill him!!
What's wrong? Hurry! Kill him!
You will continue feeling regret until the day you die suffering an eternity.
That's even more cruel than torture, wounds or illness.
That's why I pity you.
We're retreating!
What were those soul piercing eyes?
Is he having mercy on me?
I will not lose! I must kill him!
Prince!
The death gods have come to the slave quarters.
What!? Is it an epidemic?
Yes, two slave women have already died
...if we don't do anything it will spread to the palace.
We have no choice but to burn it all down!
Give the orders!
Prince!
It's an epidemic!
Death gods!
Prince!
Please make your decision!
Understood. Settle the matter as suggested.
Yes sir!
What's up with you?
Should you really be here eating curry?
It seems he got fired.
Tasty!
What?
It's a fire!
There's smoke coming out!
Mother!
Mother, where are you?!
Mother!
Did they burn to death?
Did you save me, Yatala?
Mother, I'm glad you're okay.
Thank you.
The prince have come to help you after all.
Don't worry, mother is safe.
I gave the order to set fire.
You did?
All the slaves have been infected by an epidemic.
Mother...
Yatala.
I'll leave this to you.
Dispose of that woman somewhere.
I'm not your retainer.
I won't follow your orders anymore.
What did you say?
Dispose of mother!? How cruel!
It's enough.
Let's do as the prince say.
But, mother...
Let's go.
Okay. Let's go! Somewhere far away!
Are you okay?
Why do you help someone like me?
Because you remind me of my mother.
You're as kind as my mother was
...that's why from here on, please be my mom!
Yatala...
I want to see your face.
Show it to me.
I'm ugly. You'll be scared.
I won't.
Because I know you're kind.
Really? I'm a monster...
...ever since I was a child I've been told that.
You will come to hate and fear me like everyone else.
Well then, show me.
You're not the least frightening or ugly.
Very well. You may think of me as your mother.
Really?
I will live together with mom!
I don't need this anymore!
Mom! I've brought plenty of food!
There's nuts, mushrooms and vegetables!
Mother...
Mother! Please open your eyes!
Oh god of thunder! Please strike me and kill me with your thunder!
I want to die, but I can't...
I want to die. I'm the most unfortunate one in this world.
Why are you unhappy?
I...
My father and mother were trampled by an elephant and died.
Then my second mom died by an epidemic!
Then are not your father and mother even more unfortunate?
Tell me! The prince killed his mother.
Because she was a slave, he let her die.
Why doesn't he receive any punishment? Why won't anyone be angry!?
Then prince Virudhaka must also be suffering.
Even though he's a prince his mother was a slave.
He had to helplessly watch his mother die.
hasn't his sorrow become even deeper?
He has killed countless people and even let his mother die.
...he must live with regret until the day he dies.
Move!
Is it not he who suffer the most?
Mother...
Mother... it's me Virudhaka.
Please speak my name again...
Please look at the face of an ungrateful child!
I had no choice but to act cold in front of the king's aides.
Please forgive me mother!
Yatala is gone. We're finally alone. Just you and me
...but you are already gone.
Who can say that he is not an unfortunate person?
Each and everyone of us carry our own burdens.
I'm sure you understand.
You have suffered.
...that's why you should understand other people's suffering more than anyone.
The mother who died watching over you
...and the slave women who got burned before they knew it, aren't they even more unfortunate?
If everyone is unhappy
...why are we on this earth?
Why do we live?
My mother passed away seven days after she gave birth to me.
My mother is watching over me even now.
Because my mother gave birth to me, I was able to meet you like this.
Just as the trees, grass, rivers and mountains...
...people have their purpose in life.
We are connected
...to all the things in nature, creating a bond.
If you didn't exist there would be an imbalance.
Just by existing you are fulfilling an important part.
...I am?
People that were saved just by meeting you ought to exist.
How happy weren't your parents when you were born?
Even prince Virudhaka's mother must have been overjoyed being treated kindly by you.
Prince Virudhaka too must have found comfort in your kindness towards his mother.
I have a role to play?
I have hurt and killed many people.
Is it okay for me to live?
Yes.
What is your name?
My name is Siddhartha.
Siddhartha, you are a great person.
Please make me your disciple.
No...
...I'm still in training and like you I'm in the middle of mourning.
I see.
When you've finished your training and have become a great person
...I will come to you immediately.
Then make me your disciple!
I don't know when that time will come.
I'll be waiting for as long as it takes.
I will wait somewhere far away.
Siddhartha... you taught me the meaning of life.
Thank you.
I taught you?
Why did I say those things?
You have been enlightened.
Buddha the awakened one
I'm... Buddha?
As long as there is life you shall spread your teachings to all the people of the world.
Teach people how they should live.
This world is a world that the door in your heart has opened.
People are born on a lotus flower
and bloom carries unlimited potential.
Bleeding-hearts that normally blossoms beautifully, now buried in mud
...is it not more sorrowful than anything else?
Siddhartha... No, Buddha.
The awakened one.
Please make the flowers within people's hearts blossom.
As long as there is life in me I will fulfill
...the role that has been given to me.
Everyone are connected.
Subs by Strife91