Buddha: Rajaon Ka Raja (2013–2014) User Reviews

Not to be missed

[finduramit · 10/10 · 21 May 2019]

I have never taken any time to write about a TV show before but the quality of this program compelled me to write a review. I stumbled across this program on Netflix and watched the first episode out of curiosity. After that, I cannot stop and my whole family was completely hooked. Unfortunately, there are not many television programs on the life of Buddha, his struggles, teachings and the life around him at the time. But this series is class apart. All the cast members have acted really well. Writing and screenplay just blow you away. Really well made high-quality series. I find its one of the few programs which you can watch with whole family. Himanshu Soni has played fantastic a role and has really bought Buddha alive on the screen. It's a must watch if you are interested in understanding Buddhism and the true meaning of Buddha's message.

I like to express my gratitude and best wishes to the team. I hope BK Modi can continue to make such programs in future.

Most amazing show!!!

[anikashah-67723 · 10/10 · 30 December 2018]

This show should win an Oscar!! I'm British Indian and can't even speak Hindi. But I was hooked on this after my mum told me about it. I never thought I could watch an Indian tv series ever. This changed my life. The guy who plays Buddha and mangala act so well

Excellent TV SERIES about prince Shakjamuni /Buddha

[wartownik · 8/10 · 30 August 2017]

Excellent TV SERIES about prince Shakyamuni/Buddha!

Sadly enough, there hasn't been any adequate movie about Buddha so far, and this TV production stands out as the first major attempt to correct this oversight.

This series is a REAL GEM for all those who are interested in complete and detailed biography of prince Siddhartha (Buddha) and his Path to enlightenment, and for all those interested in Buddhism generally. Naturally, this TV biopic shows only the _path_ to Buddha's teachings (with multiple examples of how and why different people choose to follow him); it outlines only the basic principles and teachings of Buddha (the focus being mainly on pure ethics of Buddhism, while esoterica of the doctrine is mostly left out).

For some people this biopic may look a bit overloaded with irrelevant situations, exaggerated passions and emotions, lengthy scenes - which is quite typical to most Bollywood dramas; and yet it doesn't look so tiresomely redundant here. In fact, it seems quite important for accurate depiction of the entire surroundings, culture and the very spirit of time: the morals, Brahmanic sacerdotalism, palace intrigues & treachery, envy and greed of court nobility, cruelty & disdain for low castes. Which, in turn, only emphasizes the entire picture and helps us to follow some characters' actions, their choices and gradual spiritual transformations...

However we may need to overlook some liberties and minor inconsistencies (with actual bios and facts of some personages), as the authors of series decided to exercise poetic license to some degree.

Low budget production. But we have to be grateful even for this one! However what this series need is some editing: some 25-30% of footage or more can be cut out easily and it would make it even better.

P.S. This spiritual TV drama series should be properly dubbed in English and made available to the public. It certainly deserves it!

A must see, but definitely needs a master cut

[thibaut-victor-dumont · 9/10 · 17 January 2019]

I'll keep it simple and short _()_ As it is, I wouldn't rate it more than 6/10, but the way I watched it deserves a 9/10.

The good:

• This show really teaches you something. It depicts Buddha's life with enough accuracy to be considered as a material for your development.
• The sutras are well introduced and the show find a very good balance between realism, respect to the Dhamma and entertainment and thrills. It makes compassion epic.
• It grows your devotion and will to practice the noble path. I'm a young adult and every time I watched an episode of the second half I felt more peaceful and confident in my spirituality.
• The soundtrack is great
• Costumes, stages, etc. are gorgeous
• Photography is good, almost fairy-like
• Globally, once Siddhartha leaves the palace, the show really take off and I wouldn't change much to the second half. But...

The less good:

• Generally, the first half
• Mandala and Devdutt characters. Passed the first quarter of the show, I couldn't handle it anymore and I decided to fast forward every time the character would show on screen. First, I found that her play was way too dramatic and that she was over-acting, which is subjective because I'm not used to the way Indian people express themselves in daily life (I'm French). Secondly, the screen writing puts way too much emphasis on Mangala's and Devdut's plots. Which brings me to...
• The show could be cut down to 40 episodes, seriously. Almost half of the episodes of the first half of the show are talks revolving about plots that aren't really interesting nor entertaining.
• The dialogs' writing is to my sense generally too pushy. The bad people are depicted as ultra bad and they take a very scary face looking at the camera every 5 minutes while talking.
• The cut. You can feel that the budget was a bit tight and that they had to reuse some average shots several times to fill the void. Which keeps me thinking that 40 episodes would have been enough.

Finally, I'd say: watch it, you must see it. But don't feel guilty to just pass the long talks in the palace in the first part of the show once you get bored, because the second half deserves you watch it.

If I had the time and skills, I'd definitely try to do a fan cut of the show, removing half of the pushy face-shot and half of the palace plot's talks, because there is much goodness in what the director achieved with this show.

Shakya Muni ki Jai!

[somaniajay · 9/10 · 20 February 2019]

I started watching this on Netflix and didn't realize there were 55 episodes. There is some overacting,l by the characters mangla and devdutt. The show really got interesting for me in once siddarth started on the path to become Buddha. I kept wondering how much of these events were true and kept googling as watching the events. I have found it to be educative about Buddhism. I highly recommend it. Buddham sharnam Gacchami!

The cinematographic environment and acting: Superb.

[PeterRiden · 10/10 · 27 May 2019]

It has to be good to compel me to view the whole series more than once and this beautiful series succeeds to do it. There is extravaganza throughout the whole series and a grandeur in its presentation. The actors bring an endearment that adds to the desire to continue with the show. The women are gorgeous to such degree that you can't think of many movies that would out class such beauty. The look and the tenure is what make them so strikingly beautiful. Buddha being played by such an endearing individual is testament to the man in charge of this epic production. It surpasses most of anything cinematographic that I have viewed in all those years.

Not available on Netflix anymore?

[amitaurian · 4 December 2021]

Please advise where can I find all the episodes of Buddha as I watched it on Netflix a year back but can't find it there now.

I need to download it or I can watch it online. The series is very very good.

Good summarised version to understand the great sage

[devishreenair · 10/10 · 20 November 2019]

This show is well presented and the actors have done justice to their roles. I am curious to understand Buddha and his teachings. The depiction of Buddha's earlier life as a prince and his transformation and finally his awakening are shown very well. A nice series to watch and understand the great soul. Now I can delve into the books to go deeper.

Help. Where can I buy this TV series with English subtitles

[sachsweb · 10/10 · 29 October 2022]

I loved this series. How can I buy it. Its on youtube with Chinese translation (not English). It is very useful story and one to be heard around the world. Why is it no longer available? The west needs to hear about his story .

Does anyone have an answer?? Please, let me know. I found it by chance and really need to see it again. Buddhists could turn the series into a very instructive tool as well as earn back some profits from it. Its is more addictive than any soap opera and yet it teaches so much. So, I would appreciate it if I (and others) could access it or perhaps buy it from the buddhists.

I really mesmerised after seeing this

[amitarora87 · 10/10 · 15 April 2020]

Actor who did Acting of the lord Buddha was just amazing

Dramatic Presentation

[janesbit1 · 9/10 · 27 September 2021]

Along the line of The Game of Thrones, this series dramatizes the story of Buddha, his family, and followers thoroughly. Not only do we gain the more commonly known stories and myths, but we gain insight and context about the period, political situation, and personal jealousies of family and foes.

I volunteer occasionally at a monastery in Nepal, and the older monks who have seen this series also think highly of its quality and recommend it.

Buddha

[kirangawand-92520 · 9/10 · 6 December 2021]

Great show, great cast, great story, overall show is mind blowing. It enlightened you.

It show you life of buddha.""""""""" Budhanm sharnam ghachanm. Namo budhey.

wonderful and totally off mark at the same time

[meetinghealing · 5/10 · 8 August 2020]

The story of Buddha is very meaningful profound and engrossing in and of itself, especially the part of his life before he becomes Buddha is very moving. I am so moved whenever I hear the story This TV series does portray much of Siddhartha's Struggles as is especially effective at getting across the part of the story of his youth before Siddhartha become Buddha. However at around I think episode 25 once the Siddhartha leaves home and meets with other teachers to study meditation the series becomes just a blend of ideas that are not in Buddhism with Buddhism. I suggest one reads the book "Old Path White Clouds for a more real explanation of what Buddha said and Buddhist teachings. Buddhism was wiped out from India and while this story is being told by people who respect Buddhism it is not really that much based on real knowledge and experience, especially the second half of the series. I wish they consulted more real Buddhist teachers and had others with knowledge give more input.

I do love the acting and I do find parts of the series artfully and skillfully done. I do feel it was a heartfelt effort from all the actors and so on, but I think the main director or screenwriter is so off the mark, it really has even political implications considering the story is still moving, but not really conveying any teachings that would upset anyone to adopt Buddhism. in the end I feel for any person who is really seeking knowledge and the truth if they saw this film they would get the wrong understand of Buddhism and what Buddha actually taught. I would have given it 8 or 9 stars if they actually improved the script of the 2nd half, but I give it only 5 stars, and hope people actually read authentic books and watch other films like "Little Buddha" to better understand Buddhism. At times also they indulged in a 180's Dallas like soap opera kind of style which was funny but a bit overdone as other reviewers have said, ever dramatizing the villains. .

Everyone Must watch!!!

[abhitek-96897 · 10/10 · 12 May 2021]

There is a lot to learn from great Gautam Budha. This series conveyed the teaching of Budha. I watched this series twice and like to watch it again. Every Episode teaches something to us, which will helpful in our real life.

Actor Himanshu Soni acting was awesome, felt like we are watching real Budha.

Great Screenplay, Direction. Everything is great!!!

Don't change the original story.

[everestster · 5/10 · 9 September 2019]

Isn't Devadatta the brother of Yashodara and brother-in-law of Buddha? Isn't he already the monk when he urged Ajatasattu to kill his own father?