LORD OF LIGHT by Roger Zelazny
Technological recreation of mythic personalities by human colonizers on a new world put people in roles beyond their wisdom. Sam, who has taken on the Buddha persona, can't go along with the hypocrisy and departure from genuine being. This sets heaven at war with itself and the stage for subtle, interpersonal drama.
The story evolves on two levels, the external series of events and the symbolic, archetypical realm evoked by the Hindu gods goddesses. The story level maintains interest but not the gripping excitement and engaging fascination typical of many award winners. As the included quote from Saraha says however, "The fool saith in his mind that his thoughts are only thoughts."
More happens in this book than the surface story. The various characters represent deep psychological qualities we all share. As the people dance through their lines, we may glimpse our own inner conflicts, temptations and strengths.
Chapter 1
It is said that fifty-three years after his liberation he returned from the Golden Cloud, to take up once again the gauntlet of Heaven, to oppose the Order of Life and the gods who ordained it so. His followers had prayed for his return, though their prayers were sin. Prayer should not trouble one who has gone on to Nirvana, no matter what the circumstances of his going. The wearers of the saffron robe prayed, however, that He of the Sword, Manjusri, should come again among them, The Boddhisatva is said to have heard ...
He whose desires have been throttled, who is independent of root, whose pasture is emptiness, signless and free, his path is as unknowable as that of birds across the heavens.
Dhammapada (93)
His followers called him Mahasamatman and said he was a god. He preferred to drop the Maha- and the -atman, however, and called himself Sam. He never claimed to be a god. But then, he never claimed not to be a god. Circumstances being what they were, neither admission could be of any benefit. Silence, though, could.