The Buddha: A Drama in Five Acts and Four Interludes

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

22782

Title

The Buddha: A Drama in Five Acts and Four Interludes

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Paul Carus presents a dramatic retelling of the Buddha's life, blending historical accuracy with Oriental luxury. This play explores the Prince's spiritual quest, his renunciation of royal life, and the profound philosophical truths of enlightenment, offering a timeless narrative of sacrifice and wisdom.

Summary up to 500 words

Paul Carus's *The Buddha: A Drama in Five Acts and Four Interludes* presents a dramatic retelling of the life of Prince Siddhattha of the Sakya clan. The narrative begins with Siddhattha's deepening disillusionment with the vanity of worldly power and the inevitability of suffering, despite the pleas of his father, King Suddhodana, and his wife, Yasodhara. Rejecting the comforts of his palace, he leaves to seek ultimate truth, encountering various ascetics before finding a path that transcends their limitations. After enduring severe hardships and resisting the temptations of Mara under the Bodhi tree, he achieves enlightenment, becoming the Buddha. The drama follows his return to Kapilavatthu, where he is revered as a spiritual leader. However, political intrigue arises as King Bimbisara of Magadha prepares for war against the Sakyas. The Buddha's father, initially proud and angry at his son's renunciation, eventually finds peace in the Buddha's teachings. The play culminates with the Buddha granting Yasodhara permission to join his order of disciples, highlighting the enduring power of compassion and the universal applicability of his message to all beings, regardless of gender or status. Through this narrative, Carus explores themes of selflessness, the illusion of the ego, and the transition from a kingdom of material power to a spiritual kingdom of righteousness, emphasizing that true deliverance comes from abandoning lust and the thought of self.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/22782.epub.noimages

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data/epubs/pg22782.epub

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Categories

• Religion
• Drama