Barlaam and Joasaph

Japanese: バルラームとヨアサフ

This is a popular literary work of entertainment that was widely known in the medieval Christian world, and is also known by the title "Barlaam and Josaphat." It is derived from a Greek version (compiled by the 8th century theologian John of Damascus). It is a Christian version of the Buddha legend, and the name Joasaph (Josaphat) goes back to Bodhisattva via the Arabic Budasaf. The story goes that the Indian prince Joasaph, despite all the precautions taken by his father King Abenner, comes to know worldly desires, and accepts Christianity, which was brought to India by the Apostle Thomas through the teachings of the monk Barlaam, converts his people, and does good deeds for them, but eventually abandons his kingdom and follows his teacher, living the rest of his life as a pious hermit.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

中世キリスト教世界で広く知られた民衆娯楽文学作品で，《バルラームとヨサファト》の表題でも知られる。ギリシア語版(編纂者は8世紀の神学者ダマスクスのヨアンネスといわれる)から派生した。仏陀伝説のキリスト教版で，ヨアサフJoasaph(ヨサファトJosaphat)の名はアラビア語ブダサフを経て菩薩にさかのぼる。インドの王子ヨアサフは，父王アベンネルAbennerのあらゆる予防措置にもかかわらず，煩悩を知り，修道士バルラームBarlaamの教化で使徒トマスがインドに伝えたキリスト教を受け入れ，自分の民を改宗に導き，彼らに善行を施すが，やがて王国を捨てて師の許に赴き，敬虔な隠者として一生を送るというもの。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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