Different Paths of Enlightenment in Siddhartha by Herman Hesse

Their journey as samanas and students in the stages of life leads them to questioning the path that they were following. Although, Siddhartha did learn and become much more knowledgeable after knowing the teachings from the samanas, he didn’t quite agree with their beliefs in retaining enlightenment. "[Siddhartha] is drawn by his goal, for he does not allow anything to enter his mind which opposes his goal. That is what Siddhartha learned from the Samanas. It is what fools call magic and what they think is caused by demons...there are no demons...everyone can reach his goal if he can think, wait, and fast." With this new found attitude Siddhartha sets out once again, with many new experiences and lessons waiting ahead for him.

Siddhartha, by Herman Hesse, is the story of a young man searching for enlightenment. Through his journey, Siddhartha follows several Buddhist and Hindu paths to achieve his ultimate goal of enlightenment. Siddhartha follows the path of the Brahmin, the Samana, the materialistic gambler, and eventually the Buddhist middle path. Being the son of a Brahmin, Siddhartha leads a privileged life, but this isn’t enough for him. Siddhartha had an insatiable appetite for knowledge, and after a time, he leaves his father to find his own path to Nirvana. Although Siddhartha was raised in a strict Hindu society, his path to Nirvana was a combination of Buddhism, and Hinduism.

    In Hesse's novel, Siddhartha the title character, Siddhartha leaves the Brahmins in search of Nirvana - spiritual peace.  The journey he endures focuses on two main goals - to find peace and the right path (http://www.ic.ucsb.edu/~ggotts/hesse/life/jennifer/html).  Joseph Mileck, the author of Hermann Hesse:  Life and Art, asserts that Siddhartha focuses on a sense of unity developed through Siddhartha's mind, body, and soul (Baumer).  Hesse's Siddhartha revolves around three central journeys - a physical, a mental, and a spiritual journey.

enlightenment after he had given up looking for it. Siddhartha is only able to find his

There have been many teachers in one’s lifetime, some more important than others. These teachers and instructors affect different people in different ways, and lessons are learned that are important to prepare for real life situations. In the book Siddhartha by Herman Hesse, a young Brahmin named Siddhartha is not content with his current spiritual self. Siddhartha is directed to spiritual enlightenment and Nirvana because of his guidance and teaching from Kamala, Kamaswami, and Vasudeva.

Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse is a novel about the spiritual journey of a man named Siddhartha whose living in the time of Gotama Buddha. In this novel, Hesse explains in detail what Siddhartha learns as he searches for Nirvana. For Siddhartha to learn, he needs teachers, just like everyone else if they wish to pursue and education. There are four major teachers that Siddhartha truly takes something from, these teachers are Govinda, Kamala, Vasudeva, and the river itself. Another important thing is the aspect of self realization and teaching, which is ultimately what helps Siddhartha put those teachings together and reach Nirvana. This also allows Siddhartha himself to accept his new role as a teacher to his friend Govinda, which is the

“What could I say to you that would be of value except that perhaps you seek too much, that as a result of your seeking you cannot find.” (113) Siddhartha, a book written by Hermann Hesse, is about this young boy who throughout the book grows to an old man who, throughout his journey, seeks to attain enlightenment. He comes from a Brahmin family and later decides to become a samana and lives in the woods with his “shadow”,Govinda. Siddhartha is distracted with obstacles throughout his life and ultimately finds a way to conquer them.

Siddhartha shares many teachings he has learned with Govinda. Siddhartha holds up a stone in example, showing that one thing is enfolded in the past, present, and future. He also stated that language is only a device, and that wisdom is not communicable. This means that, through experience, wisdom is attainable, but if you trying to teach enlightenment, the meaning will not be fully appreciated to whom it is taught.

Enlightenment is defined as the understanding and knowledge with the lack of hope and pain. The idea of enlightenment can be found I different situations that can be connected through the spiritual awakening of one’s self. Siddhartha and the little boy from The Ocean at the End of the Lane are worlds apart in age, creed, culture and historical era, they are similar in that they are both on a journey of spiritual awakening.

Even though Govinda decides to take a different path, he still plays an important role in Siddhartha’s journey in finding enlightenment. Hermann Hesse writes, “‘You’re Siddhartha,’ Govinda exclaimed loudly. ‘Now, I’m recognizing you, and don’t comprehend anymore how I couldn’t recognize you right away. Be welcome, Siddhartha, my joy is great, to see you again.’” After many years apart, Govinda and Siddhartha meet again at the river. It is surprising that the men did not recognize each other even though they had grown up together. Govinda did not know it was Siddhartha, but he still feels a sense of familiarity and protection over the man. Siddhartha is the first to recognize his dear friend, and it takes Govinda a while to realize it is Siddhartha who was sleeping by the river. They are happy to see each other, and even though the meeting is short lived, the men talk about their current situations. Many years later, Siddhartha and Govinda meet again. Hermann Hesse also writes, “Govinda stayed the night in the hut and slept in the bed that had once been Vasudeva’s. He asked the friend of his youth many questions and Siddhartha had a great deal to tell him about his life.” When Govinda and Siddhartha separate once again, there is an extended time where they have no contact. The men still feel comfortable with each other and Siddhartha invites Govinda into his home. Siddhartha had no problem reconnecting with Govinda. It seems as though they had always been friends and they act like they

Siddhartha by Herman Hesse is a classic novel and gives some insight to those seeking enlightenment or even just the spiritual understanding of a Buddhist. Siddhartha, the protagonist of this novel, is in search for enlightenment and does so with his friend, Govinda. Along his path to enlightenment, he learns many important lessons varying from guidance and distractions to love. All of these played a key role in his pursuit of enlightenment.

Like Maddie said, I believe Hesse separated Siddhartha and Govinda to show how they grow on their different paths and how each of them learn differently. I believe if Hesse kept the two together Govinda and Siddhartha wouldn't have grown, and I don't think Govinda would have reached enlightenment. Both Siddhartha and Govinda believe in reaching Nirvana differently. Siddhartha believes that enlightenment can only come from his inner self, and follows wherever his path will take him next. While Govinda is a follower and believes enlightenment can only be reached through following teachers or a strict routine. I think if the two would've stuck together none of them would have reached Nirvana because Siddhartha wouldn't have been able to learn

   In Siddhartha's quest for enlightenment, Herman Hesse makes the river the final focal point of the novel. Siddhartha is set on his journey to the river by listening to his inner voice and questioning authority. The river comes to represent the ideas through which Siddhartha reaches enlightenment. The essential concepts of time and how it relates to life are discovered by Siddhartha through listening to the river. He comes to realize that his previous conclusion is correct, wisdom cannot be taught. When he reaches nirvana, he also sees how spiritualism and materialism both have a place in the cycle of life. Acting as Siddhartha's inspiration to his ultimate goal, the river

Siddhartha by Herman Hesse would be an essential novel to possess when stranded on a deserted island as a result of its ability to change the way one sees the world. The story of Siddhartha is one that demonstrates the insignificance of material possessions as wealth does not provide for spiritual fulfillment. This devaluation of material possession will greatly diminish the pain of not having any items that I relied on and enjoyed back in civilization. Furthermore, Siddhartha teaches people to look past the imperfections of the world and to appreciate the world for what it contains. Accordingly, this idea that no matter how imperfect a particular predicament might be, the world still has much to appreciate. In the end, Siddhartha’s ability to change my world view would eliminate feelings of pessimism and loss.

The story of a young man that searches high and low for the path of enlightenment. In Hermann Hesse’s, Siddhartha, it shows how a young man tries to find a balance in self and spirit. Many of Hesse’s books reflect the experiences he had as a adolescent, Hesse also had trouble balancing religious aspects of his life, in the same way Siddhartha did. Hesse had attempted suicide and was expelled from school. Unlike Siddhartha, he was not very loved among people in his early life. I believe that Hesse wrote about Siddhartha because he could relate and sympathise with his feelings.