ADAIEI COMPANY LTD. PRODUCTION
BUDDHA (Shaka)
Executive Producer: NAGATA Masaichi
Associate Producer: Suzuki Akinari Directed by: Misumi kenji Screenplay by: Yahiro Fuji Photography by: Imai Hiroshi
Technical Advisors: NAKAMURA Gakuro NAKAMURA Takeo Art Direction by: ITO kisaku
Music by: IFUkUBE Akira
Cast
ICHIKAwA Raizo KATSU shintao HONGO kojiro
KAwAGUCHI Hiroshi KAwASAkI keizo KOBAYASHI katsuhiko MlTAMURA Hajime
NAKAMURA Ganjiro ICHIkAwA Jukai
KYO Machiko NAKAMURA Tamao Charito SOLIS KANO Junko YAMAMOTO Fujiko YAMADA Isuzu
- Look at that.
It's a miracle!
- A good omen.
- what do you think could be happening?
- It must be something important.
- Perhaps the crown prince was born today.
- At last!
- The crown prince.
- what's happening?
- A prince has been born.
- where? - In the garden.
- Look, the trees are blooming.
- They're all blooming!
- There! There!
- How beautiful!
- Look! Look!
- Over there.
- A son, your majesty.
- A son?
- Holy am I throughout heaven and earth.
- Our long awaited savior has been born and revealed to me.
He is Crown Prince siddhartha born in the palace of kativa.
My prophecy will be heard throughout the land.
He will become Buddha the savior of mankind.
20 YEARs LATER
- From the kingdom of korsava, Prince Matnu.
From the kingdom of Matsura, Prince Arama.
From the kingdom of Amtha, Great Prince sama.
- The kingdom of Amtha is many many miles from here.
- You mean that all these princes are seeking the hand of Princess Yasodhara in marriage?
- That's right, she has so many suitors that a contest will be held.
And the victor will win the princess.
- I see.
I wonder which one of the princes will turn out to be the strongest and win her.
- That's an easy one. Devadatta, of course.
- what? Devadatta?
- He's a very famous warrior.
Look, here he comes now.
- From the kingdom of Damivatsu, Prince Devadatta.
- Devadatta won.
what a mighty warrior.
= He won against Yakugama.
- siddhartha.
- The prince.
I'd heard he refused to fight.
Even for the princess.
- It was at her request that he's fighting.
- Is that so?
- Prince siddhartha dislikes fighting in any form.
- Forgive me Devadatta. I am your last opponent.
- Prince siddhartha. I'll show you no mercy.
- Your Royal MajestY Prince Devadatta requests an archery match.
- You do not seem well today.
Are you feeling ill?
- No, I'm all right.
You may rest a while.
- My son, what is the matter?
You have been married 6 years.
why does your marriage result in no children?
Is there something troubling you?
- My dear son, do you not love this wife of yours?
- I love her very much.
- without love, if you were dissatisfied with her...
In your position, you could take a second or third wife easily enough.
Yet you do not.
so you must love her.
Then why is it that you do not make her happy?
Not only your wife. why do you not make yourself happy?
Believe me, we are aware without being told that you are discontented.
It troubles us deeply and we would like to help you.
And it is not only us.
Everyone in the palace is worried about you.
- I believe now that I cannot live here in contentment
surrounded by such luxury.
- You were always given to such thoughts even when you were a child, my boy.
Perhaps you're worried about the poor harvest this year.
Natural disasters are the will of heaven.
I have done my best as always.
Therefore our gods will help us.
It is fitting that we are blessed with all these worldly comforts.
so accept them.
- Oh father, I cannot.
I often wonder if we are not too comfortable.
Overly blessed
I have heard that people are starving to death out there in the streets.
- You think about things that do not concern you.
This does not mean that everyone is starving.
It just means... they're only slaves and untouchables.
- But are they not human beings?
- As you are aware,
there have always been four castes of people in our country.
Brahmins, soldiers, citizens, and slaves.
It has always been so and will be so for centuries.
You can't deny it. You can't dare to change it.
It's the caste system!
The untouchables of course are all born outside the system.
so why should it matter whether untouchables or slaves live or die?
- we just don't have the right.
we can't decide their fate. They're human regardless of caste...
- what?
- A while ago I saw a peasant beating.
That same peasant may be in turn killed by a man.
And then kill each other.
A proud new nation may be born in the morning.
But sunset may see its destruction.
Must these things happen in order that we may live?
The sorrow and hate?
This endless destruction?
what is that?
- They are just cremating the dead, your highness.
- Channa, is there nothing that can be done to save them from this horrible death?
- Not in this life of ours, your highness.
- why is that?
- To live or die. To be happY or unhappy rests with the gods.
- The gods?
- Yes, it is the will of the gods.
- But why don't the gods save these poor people?
- They're angry that people did not worship the gods or offer any gifts to them.
It is their punishment.
- Punishment?
- Let us go to the temple.
- They're coming, they're coming! They're coming!
= Here they come.
- A human sacrifice...
- You must try to understand our lives are governed by the gods.
It makes no difference in good times or in bad times.
Only great gifts bring blessings.
- Stop it..!
- No your highness, you can't.
Not even kings have a right to stop a holy service like this.
- I'm glad you're home.
It will soon be dark and time to have dinner.
- I'm not hungry.
- Oh, dearest...
Your visit to the sanctuary seems to have depressed you terribly.
- Dearest.
- Yes?
- I have been thinking about our lives.
I cannot believe our fate is in the hands of the gods.
I've been wondering if...
If we ourselves can't find a way to achieve happiness.
- I know you are deeply troubled and I want to help, but I don't know how.
- Yasodhara...
You are young and beautiful.
But you will grow old and ugly.
The time will come for you to die.
And no matter how much I love you, I'm powerless to prevent it.
- why must you speak of such sad things?
- Because it will happen to me too.
Not even a prince can escape this fate.
People grow old, become ill, and die.
It happens to all.
Rich and poor alike, whether they pray or not.
- I know, it is a dreadful thing.
- How happy people would be, if they could be free.
Free from anxiety and pain.
As it is now, we're torn from the people we love.
we seek, but are discouraged.
I want to know what causes suffering in this life.
I'll try to learn, even if I must become a monk.
- A monk?
But my lord,
monks leave their families.
They meditate in seclusion in order to answer all the questions of life.
In order to find enlightenment and attain peace of mind.
But you, my lord...
- No.
I don't seek enlightenment for myself alone.
If it can bring happiness to other people,
I wish to share it with them.
- But please, my darling. Can't you find it in the palace?
I love you. I can't live without you.
I beg you not to become a monk.
I beg you. Please don't leave me here alone!
- I understand.
now please leave me.
- But...
- Leave me, I wish to be alone.
- Yes.
- Dear, I must be alone.
I wish to think about this.
I know I must leave.
I will become a monk to seek the truth.
Yes.
But will it be possible to forget my parents?
Or my love for Yasodhara?
when I think of the sorrow I will cause my wife and my parents,
I weep.
And my heart becomes heavy with grief.
But I have no other course.
I can remain here no longer.
I must give up this life and find truth.
I leave this very night.
- Darling...
- Yasodhara...
Farewell, Yasodhara.
- The crown prince is gone. No one can find him!
- Darling!
Darling?
Darling!
where are you?
- what? The prince has become a monk?
- Oh, no.
- Your highness!
- Does that trumpet mean the prince has returned?
- No, your highness. Prince Devadatta has arrived.
- Devadatta?
- Is it true that the crown prince will never return?
- Three nights have passed without word.
It's very strange.
- The princess is very sad and is crying her heart out every night.
- Yet Prince Devadatta calls often.
He seems welcome and stays for several days at a time.
- You know what I think?
He's taking this opportunity to try and force his attentions on her.
- Oh, my! - You really think so?
- Is everything ready?
- Yes, all ready your highness.
- Then we will dine, call Yasodhara.
- Yes, your majesty
Your highness, they're all waiting for you
- I'm not feeling well and wish to be excused.
- Yes.
- Darling...
- what?
You say the princess is ill again?
- The poor child.
she must be very worried about the prince.
I would like to comfort her if I could.
- You are very kind.
The palace seems sad and without laughter since he left.
The princess has become a mere shadow of herself.
- I understand.
I'll visit her later. Perhaps I can cheer her up.
- If only you would, it might give her the courage she needs.
- Yes, it is true.
You aren't looking well.
- Prince Devadatta, what brings you here so late?
- I heard you were not feeling well, so I've come to visit you.
- But I haven't... - Don't worry.
I've received your parents' permission.
- Oh, is that right? Thank you.
- I see you made yourself beautiful for your prince who will never return.
I made a suggestion to the king tonight.
I think you should give up your prince.
- Give up my husband?
- That's right.
I'm worried about you.
You could become very ill, seriously ill.
- Don't worry about me, I'm all right.
- But I do worry... - Let me go please!
- Yasodhara... - How rude!
I'll call someone, leave me alone.
- Listen, you know how I feel about you.
I lost that contest,
but the prince has deserted you.
so I have a right to claim you!
- I am still his wife, and I'll always love him and you have no right...
- Stupid.
Ignorant fool, aren't you willing to admit that he's deserted you?
- No! Stop it, please stop it
- There's no use waiting.
- If he never returns, I still belong to him!
Even if I'm deserted, I'll still pray for his happiness.
And hope he finds enlightenment.
- "satori" (Enlightenment)? what good is enlightenment?
The gods have given us a high position and great wealth.
Our real happiness lies in our making the most of these things.
- No, you don't know what an exalted person he is.
- He's a fool possessed by evil spirits.
Yasodhara, if you'll only let me teach you how much happiness and ecstasy can be ours together.
- Don't touch me!
- Yasodhara...
You will be mine, you must be mine!
- someone! Help me!
- Yasodhara...
- Please, leave me alone!
Help me get the prince out of here!
- Don't you forget. I will be back here.
I warn you,
I'll make you and this palace mine forever!
= Your highness!
6 YEARs LATER
- Reward him.
Tell her the prince has returned.
- Yes.
- Tell her to put out the lights,
because he's ashamed of his appearance.
- Y.. Yes.
Your highness, your highness.
- what is it? - The prince.
The prince has returned to the palace.
- Oh, my! Is it true?
- But he says that he wants the lights out
because he changed so much.
- I don't care.
It doesn't matter what he looks like, I want to see him.
- But you mustn't. It's the prince's wish.
- Darling!
You!
- The poor princess...
- You see?
I've made you mine after all.
I have won. I've won at last.
- You fiend!
- But you've been conquered by this fiend.
Body and soul.
Cry your heart out.
Remember, I've taken you.
You can never return to him.
You have become mine once and for all.
what of your prince?
what would he think of you now?
- You're despicable!
Do you really think I belong to you now?
You violated my bodY but not my heart.
My heart belongs to him!
- Come now, admit defeat.
- I will never do that.
My heart is always on his side every minute.
I pray he will some day find enlightenment.
- Your prayers, a great help after what happened.
- I'll take care of that now.
I'll join him.
- what?
- Oh my darling...
My heart will always be yours.
now and forever!
- Yasodhara...
- Princess!
- Stop, Devadatta!
- Stop! Don't do it!
No matter what happened! These terrible things.
Please do not add to my sorrow with another death!
- Get out, get out!
Leave our palace and don't ever come back!
Never!
As of todaY we're no longer kin. You're banished from the satya clan.
Be gone!
- what is the satya clan? Or this small palace?
Mark my words...
One day I will become the ruler of all lndia!
- It's all my fault, your highness!
Forgive me please...
- Yasodhara...
Yes, your highness, it's terrible!
The poor princess...
she was so young.
And she loved you so much. My heart weeps, I had to come.
It was that demon, Devadatta.
He did it.
Please avenge the princess.
Please do it for her sake. Come back and avenge your poor princess.
No, your highness! You'll let that devil go free?
- Channa, listen to me.
Evil cannot be wiped out with more evil.
Unless we forget hatred and malice,
there can be no peace or happiness.
- But I cannot forget hatred.
when I think of the awful death of the princess.
- You must see that Yasodhara did not die in vain.
now I believe that I am nearer to true enlightenment.
- I do not know how great enlightenment is, but there's no greater price.
This tragedy occurred in your absence.
Please give up this meditating and return.
The palace is without light.
Your parents are sad.
They await your return.
They never give up hoping day after daY they are waiting for you to come back
Please I beg you, come back to us.
Your retainers and servants
hope and wait for your return.
But why not your highness?
The palace is empty now. All light is gone without you.
- Channa, return now and tell everyone
I cannot only help the palace, but I know l must try and save all of mankind as well.
when I finally find the path to enlightenment
then the people will be free at last and they can look forward to a brighter and happier life.
- My lord, is that final?
- Channa, please leave.
Begone, evil one.
Leave me!
Begone.
- Leave you fool! Leave our land this instant!
- Or you'll die horribly.
- This is your last chance!
- we've watched you for 6 long years.
- Leave our land at once!
- Listen to us and cease your stupid and useless railings!
- Get out!
- we will shower you with worldly pleasures!
- Evil ones wearing the clothing of desire,
I am not afraid of you.
I don't need your worldly pleasures.
I will never move from this place.
I will overcome you with my courage and my eternal wisdom.
Go evil ones, begone!
All earthly things are transformed.
selfish desires must be overcome, and the heart must be planted.
All evil must be put away and goodness put into practice.
I have attained pure enlightenment!
- Oh, Buddha, you have found the way.
Help us, teach us, and save all of mankind.
- The exalted one!
- At last, I've seen the Buddha!
- Our savior has finally appeared on this earth.
- Ah..!
- Oh great Buddha!
Please teach us, and show us the true way.
- Stop! No one is allowed to enter.
Go away!
- we're thirstY we need help.
Please give us some water.
- There is no water.
Not even for us.
Look here, look at this.
- And look, the sky...
It is the rainy season, but there's no rain.
- Listen to those voices.
- A dread fever has spread throughout the city.
- It is a curse.
Every one of them will be dead before long.
- The disease is very contagious.
Hurry up, leave before you die. - Get out!
- Buddha!
water, please give us water!
- Run! If they touch you, you'll catch the disease!
- water..!
- Please help us...
= Rain!
- Open the door please. we're traveling monks. Is anybody home?
- what's the matter?
It's not dark yet, but the doors are all closed.
- You don't think they're all dead, do you?
- I'm sure I heard someone talking. I'm certain there are people here.
- Then why doesn't anyone come out?
- You monks, come here, hurry!
- Hurry up or you'll be mistaken for Yasha!
- Yasha?
- who is Yasha?
- A terrible Caledavia, she eats little children.
- Eats children?
- Yasha, she has many children. But not enough milk to feed them.
- But why devour children?
- why not do something?
- Caledavia has strange powers.
No one can get near her and everyone is afraid.
- That is why families with children close their doors early at night.
- Oh, so that is why.
- she's coming!
- My child, my child!
save my child
You've got to save my child!
Help me get my child!
You must help me!
- what are you doing?
- what have you got there?
- It's the work of Yasha.
- It's children!
- The demon eats babies and throws remains in the river.
- Let's get out of here.
- I think we're lost.
- Is that Yasha?
- she's a beautiful woman.
- where is Rubee?
- somebody came and took her away.
- Rubee!
Rubee!
- My child!
- Rubee! where is she?
Rubee, where is she?
Give me back my child!
Rubee...
Rubee, where are you? where is my child?
Give me back my child!
Rubee!
Rubee...!
Rubee...
Rubee.
Rubee, my child!
Give her back to me!
- Take your child.
- Rubee..!
Rubee! Rubee, my baby!
Rubee...
Rubee, my baby...
Give her back!
I beg you please, give her back!
- Elida, hear what I say.
You have 8 children.
Yet losing one made you almost mad with grief.
How much more then is the sorrow of a mother with only one child?
Her love of her child is as great as yours.
If losing your child has made you suffer so much,
then you can understand the suffering of the others.
How can your own children be happy if you destroy others' happiness?
Their hate will be visited on your own.
If you hope for the happiness of your children,
then pray for the happiness of other children as well.
Elida, you understand what I'm saying?
- I understand...
I have done terrible things!
- Then you promise not to kidnap,
and not to kill any more children from this day on?
- Yes, yes I promise!
Thank you so much!
You have awakened me from a nightmare.
I beg you... Please make me your disciple.
- Oh great Buddha, we also wish to be your disciples.
= Please accept us, please!
- Stop, you insolent sinner!
Are you not Devadatta who compelled the Buddha's wife to take her own life?
Are you not Devadatta, the sinner shunned by your own kin?
Hated by the people. Banished from the palace and the city.
Having neither home nor country to call your own?
- You are suratha?
- I am. why are you here?
- My lord, you have supernatural powers.
Teach me to use them.
- For what purpose?
- To triumph over he who calls himself Buddha.
He is my enemY and his religion is dangerous.
I need your power to crush both of them.
- You intend to destroy him?
- Yes.
- Only those few who are all knowing are privileged to use the name Buddha.
- Yes.
- This imposter is spreading a religion
which denies the power of our gods.
He is traveling all around the country spreading his Buddhism saying he intends to save all mankind.
what presumption! what treachery!
Before long he will anger the gods.
- My lord, I promise to destroy him.
- Devadatta, I am growing old.
I will teach you my powers,
so that you can destroy Buddha and the religion he teaches.
But it will be no easy task.
No one can endure my training.
Do you think you can?
- If Buddha can endure 6 years of physical suffering, so can l.
I'll do anything no matter how difficult.
- well said.
Devadatta, together we will make a vow to our gods!
- Oh, dearest.
we're here, we're finally here!
- At last.
Is this the garden of the deer?
Then where is Buddha? Tell me, can you see him yet?
- Yes, I can see him teaching.
There are many disciples here.
He's talking to them. It's wonderful.
- I want to hear him.
now, please take me over to him right away.
- Yes.
- May I help you?
- Yes, if you could. we're most anxious to hear the words of the blessed one.
- Please wait.
He's busy teaching his priests at the moment. It might be too difficult for you.
But he should finish soon.
- You should clear your thoughts first.
And after that we'll take you to see the great Buddha.
- Yes.
- Please, tell me your story.
Those scars on your eyes say that you were not born blind.
- I will tell you everything.
we've traveled far.
kashi is my home. kunala is my name.
- You're kunala? The king's son?
You have such terrible wounds. what happened?
- At one time my husband had very beautiful eyes.
so beautiful, that he was known as the prince with pure eyes.
But this led to a great tragedy.
His stepmother...
It was Queen Takshakara.
- His stepmother?
- Yes.
she is the beautiful second wife of king Ashoka.
It began one day
when the king was out hunting.
- Oh, mother.
what are you doing?
- kunala...
- Stop it, mother!
- kunala, I've been waiting for this.
Your father isn't here now.
- No, mother, we can't!
- Stop calling me mother. Takshakara is my name.
- No, stop it, please go away. what if father should see?
- Forget him now.
kunala, I'm in love with you.
- Please, mother...
- The king is so old now. But I'm still young.
Still young, kunala...
- Mother, please let go of me!
- kunala, kunala...
- No, this is impossible, please go.
- No I won't. I won't go until you hold me!
- Mother..!
Forgive me.
- kunala...
kunala!
- Is she very ill? what's wrong with her?
- I'm not certain. she's terribly upset.
- Terribly upset? we'll see.
Takshakara, what's the matter with you?
- The prince... It's kunala.
- what? what does kunala have to do with it?
- I feel terrible...
- well, tell me what it's all about.
- He... You see, he...
- what?
- He tried...
- well, well?
- He forced his love on me.
- kunala?
- It was humiliating.
It's an outrage!
I feel so terrible...
- That wretch!
Guards! Guards!
Arrest the prince.
- what, sire?
- I said find my miserable son and arrest him!
see that it's done immediately!
- Yes, sire.
- Is it true? Is it? would the prince do such...
- Princess, calm yourself.
- Please tell me.
I'm going to marry him and I have a right to know.
why would Queen Takshakara...
- Please, you know the prince would never do such a thing. The charge against him is false.
- Then tell me, where is he?
Hurry and take me to him!
- It's too late for that now.
- what do you mean?
- This very morning they arrested him and sent him to Ganga.
- Ganga?
Isn't that where the slaves and common criminals are kept?
- That's not all of it.
You see, in that place they keep all the incurable lepers.
- I cannot, even though it is your order. I can't your highness.
As a subject, I couldn't do that to the prince!
- what if I say I'll offer you anything you wish in return?
- Huh?
- what's the matter? You think I haven't noticed?
The way you always look at me?
- Your highness, what are you saying?
- I'm saying you can have...
whatever you'd like to have.
- Your highness...
- And in addition,
I'll see that you're made commander in chief.
- I'll do it your highness.
- Depart for Ganga at once.
- It's the king's order.
Do it at once.
- kunala! kunala!
kunala...
- This world is full of suffering.
But, when you turn from evil thoughts and embrace Buddhism,
your sufferings will cease,
and happiness will replace it.
- But how can we embrace Buddhism?
- By harboring neither malice nor hate within yourself.
By having a heart that loves people,
and prays for their happiness.
- what a wonderful way of life it must be.
Just by being near the exalted one
all my unhappiness seems to have left my heart, leaving nothing but happiness.
- My heart too is filled with happiness.
I am at peace again.
- You've lost the sight of your eyes.
But Buddhism has opened your inner eye.
Return to your parents now.
Return, not with hate, but with love and forgiveness in your hearts.
- Get out of here!
- This is no place for filthy beggars like you.
Go away!
- You two seem to have traveled a great distance.
we have orders not to let beggars inside.
But you're tired, and the king has become kinder these days.
so I don't think I'll be punished too much for letting you stay the night.
Go ahead now, it's all right.
You can stay the night in the elephant's shed.
- Ah, the moon.
- Is there a moon tonight?
- I'm sorrY I shouldn't have...
- It's all right. Describe the moon to me.
Is it bright?
- Yes.
I wish I could do something more.
If only I could give you my eyes.
- I know that voice.
Chamberlain, where are the guards?
Bring me the man who was singing!
Look up.
Aren't you...?
kunala.
You have changed and your face has terrible scars.
But you look like my son.
You are my son kunala, aren't you?
- Yes.
Oh, father...
- kunala.
Your eyes, what happened to them?
- Don't you know what happened?
Your majestY you ordered them to be burned out.
- I did?
Ridiculous.
You know I would never order any kind of punishment like that.
I've been worried since your disappearance.
Because I didn't have any news from you in a long time.
- Then why? why did everyone tell us that it was your order?
- Takshakara, was it you?
- No it wasn't, I didn't do it.
- Then who was it?
My poor husband...
who would have any reason to do such a cruel thing?
He had such beautiful eyes.
why would anyone want to do something like that?
- I don't know, I didn't do it.
I know nothing about it.
- You are the queen.
His mother!
Don't you feel sorry for what you've done to him?
- I did nothing at all..!
You hear me? I didn't do it!
- now, confess your sins.
As his mother, as the queen...
If you have any conscience, then confess, and beg forgiveness.
- Arrest the queen!
Takshakara, you will pay with your life.
- Please wait!
- what for?
she is the one who robbed you of your sight.
Don't you hate her for what she did?
- It was because of what mother did that I was finally able to meet the Buddha and learn about his faith.
- Prince kunala...
- Father, please forgive this woman.
All human beings make mistakes and we must learn to forgive them.
I lost...
I lost the sight of my eyes, but I gained inner sight.
I am at peace now.
Mother, I thank you very much.
- kunala, my son.
- Dearest...
Your eyes!
- Usha...
I can see your face again!
- Dearest!
- Usha.
- kunala.
- Father.
You are kitika.
And you are Bhutika.
- Is this retribution?
Is this the destiny of all sinful human beings?
- Tell me, where are all those pilgrims going to?
- They're going to sit at shaka Buddha's feet and listen to his teaching.
Every day people come from all over the country
to hear him and gain wisdom from his words.
- Do they feel some great reverence for him?
- The great Buddha is our savior!
- Your savior?
- Yes, and all the disciples are learning the Buddha's teachings.
They are studying so they can help to spread his truth.
There are already more than a thousand of them.
- A thousand?
Is he one too?
- Pardon me, but may I have some water?
Please, it's hot and I'm very thirsty.
- I wish I could help,
but I'm a person of humble birth.
- Yes, but what difference does that make?
- well, I was born a slave.
There are many things forbidden to us. Like speaking to a holy man such as you.
- That's wrong.
Listen to Buddha's words
He says that all people are the same.
we are all equal, all friends.
- You are very kind.
- now, give me some water, please.
Thank you.
I feel better now.
Farewell.
- Oh there you are.
- Ananda, you're very lucky.
- what if Buddha should find out?
- what's the matter?
You haven't been out for the past 3 days.
- You know that all of us who study here must feed ourselves with the offerings we receive in town.
If you don't go you'll starve to death.
- Don't bother me, I don't care.
- No!
- wait, Matangi!
Listen to me. You've got to give him up, he's a holy man.
You've got to give him up!
- No, I don't want to give him up!
Let me go!
who are you?
what do you want?
- You may have that which your heart desires.
- what do you mean?
- Ananda.
I will see that the man will come to you.
- Oh, my! Can you do that?
- I will see that he never ever leaves your side.
- No, Matangi, don't! You can't believe him.
- Can you really do what you say you can?
Can you really bring Ananda here?
- Ananda, what's the matter?
- Ananda!
- Ananda, where are you going?
- Ananda!
Ananda.
I'm so happy.
Oh, Ananda...
- Ananda, return.
- Ananda? what is it?
where are you going?
Ananda!
wait..!
wait...
I love him so much I can hardly bear it.
- why do you love him so?
- His shiny eyes, his perfect nose, his sweet mouth.
Everything about him is beautiful. I love him very much.
- Matangi, that of which you speak is but superficial beauty.
Ananda possesses something far more beautiful.
- More beautiful?
what can it be?
Tell me what it is?
- Embrace Buddhism and your inner eye will see it.
- Can a slave girl like me become your disciple?
- Matangi.
we are all equals.
- Just what kind of man is this Buddha?
He's the kind of man who denies the gods we've been worshipping for 1,000 years!
He claims that the only real god is within ourselves.
That's blasphemy!
He says that he'll save mankind with Buddhism!
what does he mean by that? It's obvious!
He's mad!
He's so conceited, he believes he alone can save you.
You must all turn your backs on such dangerous teaching!
Return to your old religion and to the only true gods!
Hear me...
Reject this false imposter!
Trust me to uphold the faith.
The faith of our great gods!
For I am the living voice of those gods.
Come to me, believe in me.
Embrace my teachings if you desire worldly power and happiness!
- where were you all day?
- I was in town.
- In town? You should think of your position.
It is not right for you to go out alone.
- I took Yusaka there with me.
I did not go out alone.
- That is only one attendant.
You are the prince of this kingdom.
A prince should not go unattended.
- Ajashartu, please tell me,
why is it that you dislike your father and me so much?
- I don't know what you're talking about. - No, you do!
I've felt it more and more.
You've been trying to avoid us as much as you can.
- she's right.
You dislike living in this house and you don't want to have anything to do with us.
why is that?
- Tell us Ajashartu.
There's no reason to hide anything from us.
we are your parents!
- Parents?
Pardon me.
I'm not feeling well.
- Ajashartu!
- There there, there there.
There there, there there.
- Is he crying again?
- It's this sore on his finger that won't heal.
- Don't tell me, I'm sick of it!
- But it's always there, It never gets better.
- Quiet!
- Dear, please hold him, won't you?
- No!
- Dear!
- Your highness, why do you cause your family such pain and worry?
Please talk to them.
The king is very concerned.
Jivaka.
Are they really my parents?
- How can you say that?
- Am I really their son?
Is the queen my mother?
- My lord, you will anger the gods.
- I still ask if they are my parents.
Did they actually bear me?
- You are frightening me.
what a terrible thing to say.
I can assure you that they are your real parents!
- Then tell me why...
Tell me why I can't feel their love for me?
why is there no warmth between us?
- You're being unfair.
And you're twisting things all out of proportion.
- Unfair?
why should I be?
I want their love.
I'm hungry for their affection.
But why do I feel choked whenever I see them?
- whY why..? wHY?!
- Prince...
- I can't stand it. I want the truth.
Jivaka, tell me!
How can I find out the reason for my feelings?
- There is a famous prince here who might be able to help you.
- A prince?
- I'm told he possesses occult powers.
Strange powers.
You saw him in town yourself.
- who is he? what is this man's name?
- sir, his name is Devadatta.
- You were born into this world burdened with a very strange karma.
- karma?
- You and your parents were enemies even before you were born.
- what? Before I was born?
- My supernatural powers will show you exactly how and why all this happened.
now watch closely.
20 years ago, your father king Bimbisara
dared to execute our most revered priest.
- king... Queen...
Listen to what I tell you now.
Never forget this!
I warn you...
I will have my revenge when I am reborn...
- That very same year you were born to the queen.
As was the custom in the palace
a fortune teller was called in to predict
your future.
- I can see dark clouds in the future
hanging over the future of this unfortunate child.
He will hate his parents.
And then later he will kill you both.
- The fortuneteller's prophecy terrified your parents.
They decided to kill you before you became
old enough to kill them.
Are they not truly diabolical?
But our great gods protected you.
By a miracle, you escaped
with only a small wound on your finger.
This one.
- You mean this?
My father...
My mother...
They're the ones who did this to me.
I understand.
now I see why there was never any warmth between us.
- Prince, the king does not intend to make you his heir.
And you know that without a throne,
Iife would be meaningless for you.
kill your father, and become the king immediately.
I swear I will defeat Buddha,
and show him the power of our gods.
Prince,
I will always support you once you have become king.
In return you must help me.
we will build a temple right here in your own country.
A magnificent temple that will amaze the whole world.
- That Devadatta has used his powers to persuade Prince Ajashartu to destroy Buddhism.
- He is winning priests from here too.
They're forgetting about their allegiance to our Buddha.
- If this keeps up Buddhism will die.
There'll be no Buddhist priests anymore.
- No, that will never happen.
we must not let thoughts of Devadatta deter us from our goal.
His supernatural powers are born of greed and evil.
It leads only to confusion and hate, famine and woe.
And I predict it will cause its own downfall and ruin.
- But remember, Devadatta's powers are great.
we may meet a similar fate before he does.
- He will destroy all who dare oppose him.
He will use Prince Ajashartu to have us killed.
- Absurd, he could not possibly do that.
Even if he has the power to convert the young Ajashartu,
king Bimbisara is a devout believer in Buddhism.
He will protect all of us from evil.
- But haven't you heard? king Bimbisara has been imprisoned by his son.
- How could he do that?
- Ajashartu!
Have you been bewitched by some evil powers?
If you wish to be king then I will abdicate.
I would far rather do that than allow you to commit patricide.
Ajashartu, I beseech you to take heed of my words.
Please, listen to me, my son.
Do you hear me?
Let me out of here!
Ajashartu!
How can you treat your own father in this cruel way?
Are you just waiting for me to die here?
Ajashartu!
- He's been without food for two weeks.
And he's still alive?
- Yes.
And he continues to ask for you.
He wishes to see you once more.
- why doesn't he die?
Do you think someone's taking food to him secretly?
- All precautions have been taken.
No one would be able to do that.
- Then why...
why does he continue to call my name?
Are you sure that no one ever sees him?
- Yes.
But of course, he's visited once a day by your mother.
- what's that?
My mother?
- Our poor king is so weak.
How much longer can he live like this?
He only has a little honey and milk each day.
what a terrible fate.
- The queen is coming.
- Thank you.
- I beg your pardon, your highness.
But we have orders to search everyone who enters.
- Forgive me. You may pass now.
- wait, please.
- Ajashartu.
- Call me "Your majesty."
- You're my son.
what are you doing?
- You rub honey on your body as well, don't you?
Mother.
why have you betrayed me like this?
- I couldn't...
I couldn't bear to watch the king becoming weaker.
- I am the king.
- lngrate! Murderer!
How did I ever give birth to such a son as you?
- Arrest this woman!
Execute her! Execute her at once, hurry up now!
- Your highness!
My lord.
Countless kings in history have killed their fathers to gain power.
But no one has killed their mother.
I am responsible for you.
I cannot let you commit so great a crime!
- Don't stop me, enough!
- All right then.
If you must kill your mother, then kill me first.
- Jivaka, even you?
siding with my father and mother?
- Dearest one.
Our son, he tried to kill me too.
- Do not hate our son.
what has happened to us is the will of the gods.
- If only I had not borne him.
- My lady.
I was once privileged to hear the teachings of the exalted one.
I never forgot them.
Evil cannot wipe out evil.
Forgetting malice and hate is our only salvation.
I will remember the blessed one's words for all eternity.
- Oh my love.
- My dear.
Believe that I love him just as greatly as I love you.
My son is verY very dear to me
- Oh Buddha, oh exalted one.
Please help my misguided son to find peace.
Please save him from this evil.
- I can't do it.
I just can't.
Isn't there any other way?
- You coward.
- whatever you saY
I cannot kill my own mother. I just can't!
- Your highness?
Look.
The new temple will be completed soon.
And then the gods will protect you.
And give you all their blessings!
Yes
In no time you will conquer all of lndia.
And become the ruler of the world!
- world?
- In order to do it stop at nothing.
Trample anything that stands in your way.
You must be ruthless.
Mother, father, kin, and subjects.
Especially Buddha and his disciples.
- I'm afraid of Buddha's punishment.
- Not even Buddha can challenge my powers.
so he can't hurt you.
kill all of them!
Destroy everything that you must!
Buddha, Buddhism, and all priests!
- Dear! Dear!
- Get away from here!
- wait! wait!
- Hear me.
Renounce Buddha and follow our leader, Devadatta.
Repent.
Give up your faith and you'll be saved.
And make no mistake,
believe in Buddhism,
and you'll be trampled to death!
now, what's your choice?
will you live?
Or will you die.
- I am Ananda, a disciple of Buddha.
Buddhism is the one and only faith for mankind.
I will never repent.
I'll die for my faith!
- Stupid fool!
Are there any more fools who choose death?
speak up!
- Here's one!
- And here's another one!
- Here's one too!
- I'll die rather than give up my faith!
I prefer not to live.
- Let those people go!
= Free them!
- I'm willing to die!
- Me too, I'm willing to die!
- Get out, shut up!
- I'm ready to die!
- Let them go!
= Let them go! - Move it!
- You first, let's go.
Renounce your faith. It's still not too late.
Very well.
- Oh great Buddha, please hear me.
I'll remain a devout believer
to Buddha and to the Buddhist faith forever!
- All right, hurry up!
what's wrong?
Finish him off! Get up!
Come on, get down, come on down!
- Give me that!
- Stop the execution!
Stop it, I say!
Release those priests!
- Ananda..!
= It's a miracle! It's a miracle!
- where is Jivaka? Have you seen him?
- Yes my lord, he's in the room you used as a child.
- what? My old room?
what are you doing here?
- Excuse me, your majesty.
- what are you doing in this room?
- Master, I was remembering how it was in the old days
when you were only a small child.
- That's nonsense!
- My lord.
You have changed a great deal.
when you were small you were always cheerful,
and thoughtful of others.
But now you're...
- say no more. Leave me.
- Master...
Please listen to me.
- shut up! I said to leave.
Does his finger still hurt?
Here, give him to me.
- Darling.
- There, does that feel better?
I'll fix it for you every day from now on.
- Mother!
- You're exactly like your father was.
He once once sucked your sore little finger for you too.
He did it day in and day out.
- Father did?
- It's really strange to see this sort of thing happen.
To see the same sight repeated exactly 20 years later.
- Mother, you are wrong.
It's not the same thing at all.
Mine is the scar of a sword wound.
- Sword wound? what are you talking about?
- You tried to kill me yourself
by throwing me into a pit of naked sword blades.
- who ever said such a thing?
who told you such a terrible lie?
- You mean...
- I never tried to kill you.
But...
- But what?
- I tried not to have you.
Because you...
you were a child born out of wedlock.
I will tell you everything now.
when your father dies I will be following him.
so I will tell you what I have kept secret until today.
- Mother?
- I was carrying you then.
I was pregnant when I married your father.
- Tell me, where is my real father?
- He died.
- Oh?
- Of the same infection.
But after his death,
the king accepted you as his son.
He was very concerned about your sore finger.
He sucked it clean with his own mouth every day until it was well.
- The king? No, I mean my father? He did this for me?
- He tried to keep the truth from you.
He loved you like his very own son.
And now he rots away in prison!
- Father...
- I meant to take this secret with me to my grave.
- Mother!
Please forgive me!
what have I done to my father?
Father!
Open the gate!
Lower the bridge!
Father!
Father. Father.
Father...
Father.
Father...
Father..!!
- Excuse me.
I heard the Buddha is going to deliver a sermon some time soon.
Can you tell me where to find him?
- Follow those people over there and you'll find the Buddha all right.
- Are they going to...
- The young king asked the exalted one to hold a service in honor of his late father.
That's where they're going with those carts of oil.
- MY there are so many of them, aren't there?
- Get out of here.
- Please, I just wanted to...
- Go awaY we don't serve beggars.
- But you're wrong, I'm not a beggar.
I only wanted to buy a little oil for Buddha.
- what's that? some oil?
How much?
- Please, kind sir.
Give me this much oil if you would.
- No waY only this much?
- Yes.
- There's no way of measuring so little.
- Then, I'll give you this.
- No, that's all worn out and no use to me.
No, ladY just go away.
- Excuse me again.
But could you give me some for this?
Just a little bit will do.
- what's this now?
- I'm sorry I have no more to give.
- All right, all right.
You win already.
Aren't you hungry?
Don't you want some food instead?
This oil isn't going to fill your belly.
- It doesn't matter.
I feel so fortunate
that I'm living on this earth at the same time as Buddha.
This oil is to give one poor old woman
an offering to the Buddha from the bottom of her heart.
Oh mY there's so little oil here.
I'm afraid my poor little light will go out too soon.
- All those who embrace Buddhism
must have mercy.
Mercy is twofold.
Giving advantages and happiness to some,
and removing disadvantages and unhappiness from others.
Everyone in the world hopes for good fortune and happiness.
But what is the greatest happiness of all?
- That betrayer...
- You must use your magical powers.
Unless the prince returns to you, we'll be lost.
- I will extinguish all those lamps.
Then you'll see how foolish you look before all those people.
- Stay away from stupid people for you will learn not from them.
Associate only with the wise.
serve people worthy of serving.
This is the greatest happiness.
Live in good surroundings.
Always try to be virtuous in all things.
And resolve to do what is right.
This is the greatest happiness.
Broaden your knowledge.
Master the arts.
= what is happening? - This wind is blowing...
- Truth knows neither birth nor death.
It has no beginning and no end.
- Over there.
- welcome the truth.
Evil deeds bring bitterness on oneself.
Those who do evil deeds cannot find peace.
Do not find pleasure in evil deeds.
Do not overdo anything.
Do not be given to self-indulgence.
Lead a life of righteousness.
You who yearn for riches receive treasures that are eternal.
This is the greatest happiness of all.
serving your parents well is good.
Loving care of your wife and children is good.
Doing honest work is good.
This is the greatest happiness.
- Your majestY it's the minister.
Oh, and the queen.
- HurrY go, please go back!
Your life is in danger if you return home.
- what?
- Devadatta is behind us, your majesty.
- Devadatta?
- He's telling everyone that you murdered your father in cold blood,
and that the gods have chosen him king.
- That Devadatta...
- Yes, your majesty.
- I have been sent by the gods!
I will take the place of your wicked king!
That traitor who killed his own father!
As of todaY I will be your new ruler.
All who defy me will be killed.
Even priests!
- Hurry! Put your backs in it!
we must get this temple finished on time!
- Hurry up!
- keep moving!
- Come on, get the temple built!
keep moving, come on!
Hurry up!
- Get back to work!
- Get up, keep moving!
- kill them.
Burn them.
Destroy all the priests!
= Come on...
- save us, we have not attained enlightenment yet!
- I'm so afraid, save us!
- Buddha, have mercy!
- Please, please help us!
= Have pity on us!
- Buddha, please help us, please.
- Exalted one, please!
- Please help us, Buddha.
- No, please, no!
- kill them! Burn every single one of them!
- You priests, come back here!
Help me! Help me!
I have sinned... Oh Buddha, forgive me!
I have sinned terribly. I caused your wife's death.
Please forgive me...
Oh great Buddha...
Is this meant to be my final destiny?
Is it too late
to expect mercy from you?
- Great Buddha is entering Nirvana.
- The all enlightened one will enter the first of the Jamans.
- The exalted one is entering Nirvana.
- But before he leaves this earth we must see him again.
- we'll soon be there children. we'll soon be in the presence of the exalted one.
Come along now.
- Oh exalted one, we are still inexperienced and full of doubts.
Please, do not enter Nirvana yet.
Stay and teach us the way of truth.
- Ananda, do not be afraid.
were I to remain on this earth for 500 or even 1,000 years,
some time there must be an end.
Meetings are the beginning of partings.
I have finished my work here on earth.
when the people hear that I have entered Nirvana they will think that is the end of Buddhism.
But that is not so.
The law that I have preached to you will be your greatest teacher.
Those who study the law will see me.
I will enter Nirvana, the higher state.
But I shall live on in all of you.
- Oh great Buddha. - Exalted one.
- Great teacher, Buddha.
- Our great Buddha has now entered Nirvana.
subtitles By : Merlin David Authoring By : John Galnfort