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Religion In Siddhartha

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Religion In Siddhartha
The ideologies of religious figures are often written in such a way that they can be understood by virtually anyone and from any background. When reading Siddhartha, the story of the titular character and his own trials and tribulations is treated in much the same way with his own experiences and life being explained so that any reader can connect with his personal struggles. Throughout the piece, it is possible to see the ways in which he seemingly rejects the traditions of the Buddha in an effort to live his own life in a way that he desires. However, upon further analysis it is clear that while he might have rejected many of the philosophies of the Buddha, it is through this rejection that he is able to truly live a life that is unique and …show more content…
While he reveled in the sins of the flesh, he was not moving toward a state of enlightenment. This is one of the key components of the story because of the idea that this is not the original Siddhartha, who is called the Buddha, but instead it is someone whose life mirrors many of his struggles. It is this struggle that is apparent in his marriage and debauchery. The problem for Siddhartha is that he does not have a goal in his life and he simply does what he wants. He does not look for enlightenment. He simply is and does everything he desires. This is the focus of his life for many years as he lives with his wife. “Traditionally, the meaning of the term Buddha is understood as a person who has awakened from the deep sleep of ignorance. In Indian tradition, the expression was already used before, during, and after the life of Siddhartha by many religious communities, but it became most strongly linked to the Buddhist tradition” (Violatti, 2013). Siddhartha does not immediately break free of this sleep of ignorance. It takes years for him to realize that he is unhappy with his life. This is when he once again mirrors the teachigns of Buddha because it is a kind of awakening that occurs, not one that is intended or sought after. It simply happens and the enlightenment he gains is the end

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