Shaka no Shougai
Japanese title: 釈迦の生涯
Alternative titles: Buddha, Shakyamuni, Taisho Shakuso, Shaka, Life of Shaka, Great Saint Shakyamuni
Type: Movie
Source: Other
Episodes: 1
Status: Finished Airing
Aired: 1961
Duration: 1 hr 12 min
Rating: G - All Ages
Themes: Historical

After a portentous dream about a white elephant, the ancient Hindu princess Maya gives birth to a prince. Reared in seclusion from the troubles of the world, Prince Siddhartha is troubled by sights of poverty and deprivation when he is 12 years old. He is married to a beautiful wife, but he is unable to bear the thought of others suffering, and leaves the palace in search of an answer. While sitting underneath a tree, he achieves enlightenment.

(Source: The Anime Encyclopedia)

Planned as a nine-reel life of Buddha, but exhibited in Cannes Film Festival as "Part One" with only six reels completed, this late work by Noburou Oofuji was not completed until after his death. It was only in 1961 that it was finally exhibited as a full 72-minute movie (comprising ten reels). (Source: The Anime Encyclopedia)