Sutasoma: The Ancient Tale of a Buddha Prince Tapa dura - 2008

Bangkok: Orchid Press, 2008. The 14th century Javanese epic poem, Sutasoma, relates the life of a prince, born an incarnation of the Jina-Buddha Wairocana. It follows his spiritual journey to enlightenment, and his temporal journey through marriage, kingship and eventual victory over the mighty, world-threatening demon, Porusada. Kate O'Brien's new translation and commentary delivers to the reader a highly approachable and lively rendition of this Buddhist epic, comparable in both complexity and scale to that of the Ramayana, yet significantly less known or understood. This entertaining and attractively illustrated edition will appeal to readers with interest in the literary traditions of southeast Asia and of tantric Buddhism, and also to a wider audience who wish to understand the foundations, both mystical and practical, underpinning much of Javanese and Balinese society today. 344 pp., 2 col. & 24 b&w plates, index. . First Edition. Hard bound. New/new. 24.5 x 17.5 cm..