Who are the heroes of the great epics? Gilgamesh, Achilles, and Odysseus, of course. Beowulf, King Arthur, Roland, and El Cid. In India, the Pandavas and Lord Rama.

    But have you ever thought of the Buddha as an epic hero?

    Because that is exactly how he is styled in the life of the Buddha written by Ashvaghosa in the early second century. Called the "Buddhacharita" or "Acts of the Buddha," it is comprised of over 2,000 verses in 28 chapters telling the life of the Buddha from his birth to the events shortly after his death. The first 14 chapters survive in Sanskrit intact; the second half is fragmentary, but is known through a translation into Chinese made by the scholar-monk Dharmakshema in 420.

    Despite having been written some six centuries or so after the events, the work is surprisingly historic in tone. That is, it follows the biographical information in the earliest texts--the Tripitaka or "Three Baskets" of the Pali Canon--and avoids incorporating many of the mythological elements that had already begun to creep into the Buddha's life story.

    The first volume covers the life of the Buddha-to-be from his birth until when he left for the forest. This included, of course, his father's attempts at protecting him from the unpleasant conditions in the world--old age, sickness, and death--and his renunciation of the life of the palace.

    In volume two, we see him enter the ascetic life, and meanwhile, back in the palace, the reaction of his family. The third volume goes into more detail about his life in the forest; shows his attainment of enlightenment, becoming the Buddha proper, and depicts the beginning of his teaching.

    In volume four, he begins to gather disciples and develops his mission. We also learn of attempts by Devadatta, his jealous cousin, to kill him. Finally, the fifth and last volume tells of his death or "Parinirvana" and the disposition of his remains after his death.

    All in all, this life of the Buddha follows an arc similar to that of other heroes -- from a normal life to an extreme effort, a great achievement, and the sharing of his realization with others.

    Vocabulary: Which word above means:

    1. in pieces

    2. severe, the opposite of luxurious

    3. even though

    4. final settlement of something

    5. including

    6. extended storyline

    7. strictly speaking

    8. giving up (of something)

    9. made up (of)

    10. complete or whole, not broken or damaged

    ANSWERS: 1. fragmentary 2. ascetic 3. despite 4. disposition 5. incorporating 6. arc 7. proper 8. renunciation 9. comprised (of) 10. intact