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Siddhartha. Herman Hesse. Born in Claw in the Black Forest July 2, 1877 He underwent psychiatric analysis with Carl Jung He became interested in Eastern philosophy, spirituality, and religions because his family did lots of missionary work and he went to India in 1911. Herman Hesse.
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Herman Hesse • Born in Claw in the Black Forest July 2, 1877 • He underwent psychiatric analysis with Carl Jung • He became interested in Eastern philosophy, spirituality, and religions because his family did lots of missionary work and he went to India in 1911
Herman Hesse • His parents originally thought he would go into theology like so many of his family members. • He wrote books entitled: Siddhartha, Steppenwolf, Demian, The Glass Bead Game, Journey to the East, Narcissus and Goldmund, Beneath the Wheel, Peter Camenzind, and Poems. • He won the Nobel Prize in 1946 for The Glass Bead Game
Herman Hesse • He called his books “Biographies of the soul” • Several of his novels depict a protagonist’s journey into the inner self. A spiritual guide assists the hero in his quest for self-knowledge.
Hinduism • It is the world’s 3rd most popular religion, with around 900 million followers • Those who follow are called Hindus • 80% of India regards themselves as Hindus • It is over 3,000 years old, though some elements are older • It is not a unified religion. There is no founder, no single teacher, nor prophet.
Hinduism • It originated from religious practices of those who lived near the River Indus, modern day Pakistan • They believe in the universal soul (Brahman) • Hindus recognize 3 principal gods
Hinduism • Brahman has no form, and is eternal • Brahman is creator, preserver, and transformer of everything • Brahman appears in the human spirit as atman, or the soul
Karma is central to Hindu faith • Hindu’s believe that the soul passes through a cycle of successive lives and its next incarnation is always dependent on how the previous life was lived.
Varna • It is the historical division of society into 4 broad classes • Brahmins or priests, the highest varna, believed to have emerged from Brahma’s mouth. • Kshatriyas, the warrior or ruling class who were made from Brhama’s arms
Varna or Caste system • Vaishyas, merchants or artisans who came from Brahma’s thigh • Shudras, unskilled laborers and servants who emerged from Brhama’s feet. Lowest class • Untouchables, too lowly to within the system
Vedas • The most ancient religious texts which define truths for Hindu’s • Hindu’s believe the texts were received by scholars direct from God and passed them on to the next generation by word of mouth
Buddhism • myths about baby Siddhartha are : • He was born fully awake. • He could speak, and told his mother he had come to free all mankind from suffering. • He could stand, and walked a short distance in each of the four directions. • Lotus blossoms rose in his footsteps • They named him Siddhartha, which means “he who has attained his goals.”
Buddhism • Siddhartha became interested in the old, sick, and the dead because he no longer wanted to be ignorant. • Siddhartha realized he was no longer happy with his life at age 29. He had discovered suffering, and wanted to discover how to overcome suffering.
Buddhism • What lead to Siddhartha becoming the Buddha? • Studied with two famous gurus of the day, but found their practices lacking. • Began to practice the austerities and self-mortifications practiced by a group of five ascetics. For six years he practiced. • A young girl begged Siddhartha to eat as he looked terrible.
Buddhism • He sat under a fig tree and meditated until he found answers for suffering. He sat there for many days. • Once he understood the answer, he became the Buddha
Buddhism • Buddha means “he who is awake” • He said that it didn’t matter what a person’s status in the world was, or what their background or wealth or nationality, all were capable of enlightenment.
Buddhism • Buddha achieved enlightenment at the age of 35. • His last words were “Impermanent are all created things; Strive on with awareness.”
4 Noble Truths • Suffering exists • Suffering arises from attachment to desires • Suffering ceases when attachment to desire ceases • Freedom from suffering is possible by practicing the Eightfold path
