Siddhartha

1. Siddhartha • Describe a situation in which you have questioned your beliefs or the beliefs of your culture. What did you do to resolve your questions?

2. Intro to Siddharthaby Herman Hesse

3. Intro to Siddhartha • The story of Siddhartha: • Sidd is a young Brahmin, a priestly class, the highest in Hindu society. He is handsome and educated, with the potential to be a prince. • Setting: • The novel is set six centuries before the birth of Christ in ancient India at the time of Gotama the Buddha.

4. Intro to Siddhartha • Buddhism: • A religion followed by about 300 million around the world. It comes from “budhi,” to awaken. Its origins started when the Buddha himself was awakened or enlightened at age of 35. (2500 years ago) • Tolerant of other religions and provides a purpose to lives with a code of practice to lead to happiness. • Middle Path is a balance between being good hearted and attainment of knowledge through emotion.

5. Intro to Siddhartha • Four Noble Truths: • 1st truth is that life is suffering. This is realistic, not pessimistic. Buddhism explains how suffering can be avoided. • 2nd truth is that suffering is caused by craving and aversion. Rather than struggling to get what you want, try to modify wanting.

6. Intro to Siddhartha • Four Noble Truths: • 3rd truth is that suffering can be overcome and happiness attained. • 4th truth is that the Novel 8-fold Path is the path which leads to the end of suffering.

7. Intro to Siddhartha • Eightfold Path: • Being moral through what we say, do, and our livelihood, focusing on being fully aware of thoughts and actions, and developing wisdom and compassion for others. • Nirvana: • When we are happy and free and have more time and energy to help others. • Karma: every law has an effect. All individuals must be responsible for their past and present.

8. Intro to Siddhartha • One of the teachings of Buddhism is that wealth does not guarantee happiness. • Agree or Disagree with this statement and explain why or why not.

9. Intro to Siddhartha • How does Buddhism compare/contrast to other lit this year and their religious beliefs? • Think of what was valued in previous cultures to help you respond to this question.

10. Siddhartha, Chap 1 • Why does Siddhartha seem so unhappy? How is he like a “waiting vessel?” • His Brahmin teachers of Hinduism don’t question anything and haven’t achieved enlightenment. He is a waiting vessel because he’s looking to be filled with knowledge of how to achieve enlightenment.

11. Siddhartha, Chap 1 • Why is Govinda willing to follow him? • He is Sidd’s best friend and sees Sidd taking his first step into the world and wants to follow him.

12. Siddhartha, Chap 1 • How are the Samanas described? • They are half-naked, begging for food, and living without the comforts of life. They believe enlightenment can only be reached through asceticism- a rejection of body and physical desires.

13. Siddhartha, Chap 1 • How does Siddhartha convince his father? Why didn’t he just go? • Sidd stands in the dark all night with his arms crossed. As a dutiful son, he needs his father’s blessing. His dad asks Sidd to return to tell him the secret of enlightenment if he finds it.

14. Siddhartha, Chap 2 • 1. How does he act when he is with the Samanas? • Sidd dresses in rags and only takes the barest sustenance in order to survive.

15. Siddhartha, Chap 2 • 2. What is his goal? What happens when he reaches that goal? • Sidd’s goal is to reach enlightenment, which only is achieved when the self is completely destroyed. Sidd thinks when he is empty of everything his innermost will be awakened.

16. Siddhartha, Chap 2 • 3. How does Siddhartha meditate? • He meditates on the syllable Om which represents perfection and unity while sitting up straight. He sits quietly and lessens his heartbeat and breathing.

17. Siddhartha, Chap 2 • 4. What frustrates Siddhartha? • The eldest Samana is 60 and has not reached enlightenment.

18. Siddhartha, Chap 2 • 5. Who is Gotama? • Gotama is the enlightened one, The Buddha, who has overcome the suffering of the world.

19. Siddhartha, Chap 2 • 6. What does Siddhartha do with the oldest Samana? What does that feat show? • Sidd hypnotizes him which shows he has learned all he can from him. He learns that the path to achieve enlightenment can only come when the approach used takes into account the world as well. It shows he has learned all he can from them.

20. Siddhartha, Chap 3 • 1. How is Gotama different from the Samanas? • Gotama teaches Buddhism’s eightfold Path, the Fourfold Way, and to embrace the unity of all things in order to achieve freedom from suffering. • 2. How do they recognize him? • Gotama radiates pure enlightenment and wears a gold robe.

21. Siddhartha, Chap 3 • 3. Why does Govinda choose to join him? Why won’t Siddhartha join him? • Govinda agrees with Gotama’s teachings, so he stays. Sidd does not agree with the teachings and thinks Govinda is a distraction to him, so he leaves.

22. Siddhartha, Chap 3 • 4. According to Siddhartha, how will he find enlightenment? • Sidd decides he must find enlightenment on his own, and he cannot rely on an individual religion or teacher in his search.

23. Siddhartha, Chap 3 • 5. What has the Buddha robbed from him? What has he given him? • The Buddha robbed Govinda from him. The Buddha has given Sidd the knowledge that enlightenment is achieved from within.

24. Siddhartha, Chap 4 • 1. What does Siddhartha decide to study? How is that the one field he has been ignorant in? • Sidd decides to study himself and learn from himself, so he can understand himself. He thinks this is the one area he doesn’t know.

25. Siddhartha, Chap 4 • 2. Why does he feel an “icy chill”? He compares himself to a star. How is that so? • He realizes he is all alone like a star. • 3. How is he different now? • Sidd is on a new path by himself.

26. End of part 1 Summary • Siddhartha’s life parallels the historical Buddha’s history as his life was formed around three events: the departure from his father’s house, the wasted and frustrating years between pursuit of worldly possessions and extreme asceticism, and finally, the determination of the Middle path as the only road to enlightenment. The middle path is experiencing and understanding Truth and Reality which requires courage, patience, flexibility, and intelligence.

27. Siddhartha, Chap 5 • 1. How has his point of view changed? • Sidd now seeks meaning in the world through the senses. He is allowing the world to influence him, which he hasn’t done before. • 2. Complete the quote: “To obey no other eternal command __. Nothing else was necessary.” What does this quote mean? • …only the voice, to be prepared – that was good, that was necessary. This means to listen to one’s voice and Sidd will now rely in himself. Sidd has learned that the knowledge he is seeking comes from within.

28. Siddhartha, Chap 5 • 3. What dream does Siddhartha see? Will this woman lead him to enlightenment? • Sidd sees Govinda turning into a woman which shows he is moving from his previous aesthetic life to a new life of desire. He learns to differentiate between listening to one’s inner voice and giving in to impulse. The woman will help lead him to enlightenment as he is listening within to his own desires. • 4. What does Siddhartha think of the Ferryman and of the river? • Sidd finds comfort in the Ferryman’s words and thinks of the river as a transition to a new world. They are kind and beautiful.

29. Siddhartha, Chap 5 • 5. Why doesn’t Siddhartha “ascend the tree” with the woman? • Sidd’s inner voice tells him to resist the temptation. • 6. Hesse uses a simile to describe the woman’s (Kamala’s) mouth. What is it? What does that say about the woman? • He compares her mouth to a fresh, cut fig which implies how tempting and inviting she is. She is beautiful and exudes sexuality.

30. Siddhartha, Chap 5 • 7. How does Siddhartha prepare for Kamala? What does he want from her? • Sidd prepares by bathing, shaving, and getting a haircut. He wants Kamala to teach him the art of love. • 8. Why might the portrayal of Kamala be politically incorrect? • She represents women as purely sexual and a symbol of desire. A woman represented by sexuality would be politically incorrect.

31. Siddhartha, Chap 5 • 9. Who is Kamaswami? • He is a wealthy businessman who will teach Sidd the business world. • 10. Siddhartha compares himself to a stone. How is this so? • Like a stone falling to the bottom of water, Sidd is drawn toward his goal and cannot be distracted or swayed from his path. It is the same as the way a stone falls directly to the bottom of water and doesn’t deviate in its path.

32. Siddhartha, Chap 6 • 1. How does Siddhartha take control of the interview? • Sidd proves he has valuable skills to offer Kamaswami, such as intelligence, patience, and the ability to fast. • 2. For all of his holy skills, in the end, why does Kamaswami hire him? • Sidd is hired because he can read and write.

33. Siddhartha, Chap 6 • 3. In your own words and thoughtfully, what did Kamala teach him? • Kamala taught Sidd to act in a manner that required Kamaswami to respect him. He learns about the physical act of love, but more importantly, he learns patience and self-respect. • 4. What makes Siddhartha good at business? Why might he be an excellent partner for Kamaswami? • He can act aggressively in business because he does not fear success or failure which balances Kamaswami’s desire for profit.

34. Siddhartha, Chap 6 • 5. What does his four day trip to the village show about Siddhartha? How could that be good business? • Sidd accepts all differences in people and keeps an even temper when dealing with them. • 6. What does Siddhartha’s inner voice say? How is life “flowing past” him? • Inner voice says life is like living a game. He is not active in what is going on around him. All activities surround him but he is not actively engaged in them.

35. Siddhartha, Chap 6 • 7. How are Siddhartha and Kamala similar? • They both have a stillness and sanctuary about them, and they can retreat and be themselves. They are very independent.

36. Siddhartha, Chap 7 • 1. What had Siddhartha learned “amongst the people”? • Sidd has learned to enjoy possessions and live like a wealthy person. • 2. What happened when the property finally became a chain and a burden? • Sidd leaves the city in despair when property no longer brings him pleasure.

37. Siddhartha, Chap 7 • 3. How does his dice playing echo his real life? • He played dice and gambled in a way that showed how much he hated the wealth and possessions he had acquired. He felt empty when he gambled in the same way he felt his life was empty and devoid of meaning. • 4. What was his Kamala dream about? • Sidd dreams Kamala asks about Gotama and he dissuades her from seeking him out.

38. Siddhartha, Chap 7 • 5. What was the Bird dream about? What does it mean? • The rare songbird dies which signifies what will happen to Sidd if he continues on his current path, so he leaves the city. • 6. Why does he feel dead? • Sidd can no longer hear his spiritual voice.

39. Siddhartha, Chap 7 • 7. Why is it important that Kamala is pregnant? Why out of that last trip? • Kamala decides to take no more lovers and experiences her own awakening. Her pregnancy parallels the change Sidd will undergo next.

40. Siddhartha, Chap 8 • 1. Why does Siddhartha wish to kill himself? • Sidd feels that neither abstinence from desires nor indulgence in desires has brought him closer to enlightenment.

41. Siddhartha, Chap 8 • 2. How is he different when he wakes up? Who is sitting with him? • When Sidd wakes up, Govinda is next to him. Sidd is now at peace and realizes that over thinking has stopped him from achieving enlightenment. He decides not to leave the river and take the path that comes naturally.

42. Siddhartha, Chap 8 • 3. What does Siddhartha start lecturing his friend about? • Sidd says he is still a spiritual pilgrim even though he is well fed and looks wealthy. Sidd tries to tell Govinda that none of the traditional paths will lead to enlightenment

43. Siddhartha, Chap 9 • 1. What does Siddhartha learn from the Ferryman? • Sidd learns how to reach detached enlightenment and to listen to the river’s secrets and legends, such as time does not exist and only the present matters. • 2. How are the skills he is learning now important to him for life? • He is learning to exist in the moment.

44. Siddhartha, Chap 9 • 3. What do people say about Siddhartha and the Ferryman? • They exist in harmony with one another. • 4. How are they becoming alike? Is this a good thing? • They are both reaching enlightenment which is a good thing.

45. Siddhartha, Chap 9 • 5. Describe the events surrounding Kamala’s meeting Siddhartha again. • Kamala and her son are traveling to see the dying Buddha. A poisonous snake bites Kamala. Vasudeva hears the son’s cries and finds Kamala who he carries to their hut. Vasudeva sees the son’s resemblance to Sidd. • 6. How has Siddhartha changed since their last meeting? How has Kamala changed? • Kamala says Sidd looks like an enlightened one. Kamala has also reached enlightenment.

46. Siddhartha, Chap 9 • 7. What happens to Kamala? How does this effect Siddhartha? • She dies, and Sidd is affected because the son lives with the two ferrymen.

47. Siddhartha, Chap 11 • 1. What “wound” does Siddhartha have? What is the different light that he sees people in? • The wound Sidd has is from the loss of his son. He can see the serenity of knowledge in people. • 2. What has been his biggest change since becoming a ferryman? As a result, how does the tone of the book change? • He has realized his place in the world and similarity with others who suffer to reach inner peace.

48. Siddhartha, Chap 11 • 3. What does the river do when Siddhartha goes to see his son? Whose reflection does he see? • The river laughs and Sidd sees the reflection of his father, who he now resembles, in his own face. • 4. Siddhartha and Vasudeva listen very, very closely to the river. What do they hear? Why is everything interconnected? • The river’s voice was sorrowful. All of the yearning and goals of everyone in the world was united. • 5. Where does Vasudeva go? (Hint: not just the woods) • Vasudeva goes to die.

49. Siddhartha, Chap 12 • 1. Why is there still restlessness in Govinda’s heart? • Govinda feels that he has not achieved the kind of enlightenment that Sidd radiates. • 2. What is wrong with seeking, according to Siddhartha? • You can’t seek Nirvana from an outside source. You must find it within.

50. Siddhartha, Chap 12 • 3. Why doesn’t Siddhartha have a doctrine? How can wisdom not be communicable? Can you communicate knowledge? • Sidd feels he can’t teach enlightenment but seekers can be guided. He also thinks you can’t divide people into good and bad. Seekers have to be guided to knowledge. • 4. What is the symbolism of the stone? • The stone symbolizes the potential in everything so all things are sacred.