Siddhartha By Herman Hesse
Siddhartha by Herman Hesse
Even though the main character of Herman Hesse’s novel shares the same name as the prophet Siddhartha Gotama (a.k.a. Buddha) they ARE NOT the same person. Herman Hesse borrowed heavily from both Hindu and Buddhist philosophy to create a tale of one man’s quest for truth and enlightenment. In addition, some of the events in the life of the prophet Siddhartha parallel the life of Hesse’s character Siddhartha. Some might go so far as to call the novel a legend—based in history, with a focus on a larger than life human, but fictionalized!
I. Reading Schedule **Dates are subject to change**
Read and study guide for p.3-36
Read and study guide for p.37-85
Response dues for pages p.86-115 (by end of class)
Levels …show more content…
It goes from action to knowledge to wisdom. Action is the first stage in the hero's long road to perfection. Not arbitrary human actions are meant, but rather a form of action produced by acceptance of the Divine element in an individual. The person then moves toward knowledge-knowledge of the Self and of the Absolute, which ultimately are revealed to be identical. The renouncing of all earthly attachments is a necessary component of each of the first two stages of development. A kind of self-fulfillment is stressed. An individual must find and follow his own path, for the ultimate goal cannot be attained by any form of imitation, however noble and admirable the model or teacher may be. The final, and highest, stage is characterized by reverence and wisdom. The seeker reveres and even worships the Absolute, with which he is identical. Direct parallels with Siddhartha can be drawn. Hesse's hero seeks his own path to fulfillment. Although his path is one of trial and error, he is always at least unconsciously aware of the nature of his quest. He comes to realize that seeking a goal will ultimately prove to be limiting. From Vasudeva he acquires knowledge of what true action is. Finally, he is transfigured and attains wisdom. IV. Siddhartha Reading
Even though the main character of Herman Hesse’s novel shares the same name as the prophet Siddhartha Gotama (a.k.a. Buddha) they ARE NOT the same person. Herman Hesse borrowed heavily from both Hindu and Buddhist philosophy to create a tale of one man’s quest for truth and enlightenment. In addition, some of the events in the life of the prophet Siddhartha parallel the life of Hesse’s character Siddhartha. Some might go so far as to call the novel a legend—based in history, with a focus on a larger than life human, but fictionalized!
I. Reading Schedule **Dates are subject to change**
Read and study guide for p.3-36
Read and study guide for p.37-85
Response dues for pages p.86-115 (by end of class)
Levels …show more content…
It goes from action to knowledge to wisdom. Action is the first stage in the hero's long road to perfection. Not arbitrary human actions are meant, but rather a form of action produced by acceptance of the Divine element in an individual. The person then moves toward knowledge-knowledge of the Self and of the Absolute, which ultimately are revealed to be identical. The renouncing of all earthly attachments is a necessary component of each of the first two stages of development. A kind of self-fulfillment is stressed. An individual must find and follow his own path, for the ultimate goal cannot be attained by any form of imitation, however noble and admirable the model or teacher may be. The final, and highest, stage is characterized by reverence and wisdom. The seeker reveres and even worships the Absolute, with which he is identical. Direct parallels with Siddhartha can be drawn. Hesse's hero seeks his own path to fulfillment. Although his path is one of trial and error, he is always at least unconsciously aware of the nature of his quest. He comes to realize that seeking a goal will ultimately prove to be limiting. From Vasudeva he acquires knowledge of what true action is. Finally, he is transfigured and attains wisdom. IV. Siddhartha Reading