Lives of the Buddha: A Staged Reading of a New Play

"Lives of the Buddha" is a new theatrical play composed primarily of excerpts from early, popular Chinese Buddhist texts, transmitted from India, which recount the story of the Buddha and many of his past lives. This work seeks to imagine and create the experience of orally presenting these materials to an audience, perhaps as it might have been some 2000 years ago, before they were even first written down.

By interpreting these scriptures as the written traces of a preexisting oral performance literature, with alternating passages of narration, dialogue, and stage direction, this project also places them among the oldest theatrical writings in existence. 

This show will be a staged reading of the play, performed by a group of professional actors, followed by a discussion with the audience.

Written and directed by Alan Wagner. 
For more information, and to read the play, visit https://livesofthebuddha.com

#Buddhism #Buddha #hagiography #storytelling #BuddhistStudies #Jataka #Arts #Theater