Siddhartha, by Herman Hesse
Siddhartha
by Herman Hesse
Siddhartha is a fictional novel about Siddhartha, a man living during the historical time of the Buddha. This is a book about one person’s search for happiness. After meeting the Buddha, Siddhartha chooses to leave home and search for the truth, but decides to go his own way instead of following the Buddha. He separates from his childhood friend Govinda, who chooses to follow the Buddha. Siddhartha looks for happiness in the material world. He looks for happiness in sensual pleasure. He looks for happiness in the love of his son. But he becomes sick with despair, and realizes he must make changes in his life. He finally understands peace through his work as a ferry operator, listening daily to the river’s knowledge. “Seeking means having a goal, but finding means being free, having no goal.” (Hesse, 108)
Siddhartha is truly one of the great classics that tell the story of the spiritual journey. I think this book fits well with Beyond War’s third guiding principle, The Means are the End in the Making. If we can listen to one another with an open heart, without a goal or an angle, our chances for understanding one another increase. Siddhartha’s rejection of dogma and his trust in his own inner wisdom stands in refreshing polarity to today’s mainstream religious practices where believing is more important than self reflective questioning. With our focus on the goal of being happy instead of clinging to religious dogma, we are able to see each other as brother and sisters looking for peace. This book has a timeless quality that allows the wisdom in its pages to be of help to anyone looking for peace. All we need do is listen.
Question #1: Why do you think Siddhartha split up with his friend Govinda, and decided to not follow the Buddha?
Question #2: Siddhartha spent many years trying to find happiness in the material and sensual world. Do you see any parallels in your own life? In our culture? Describe the results.
Question #3: All over the world people have different ways of describing the truth and by what means to arrive at peace. Many wars have been fought over these religious differences. What are some ways that we can move beyond the dogma of religions to see each other as fellow human beings in the search for happiness?
Question #4: Describe the ways in which you have found peace and contentment in your life. Do you find any similarities to Siddhartha?
by Herman Hesse
Siddhartha is a fictional novel about Siddhartha, a man living during the historical time of the Buddha. This is a book about one person’s search for happiness. After meeting the Buddha, Siddhartha chooses to leave home and search for the truth, but decides to go his own way instead of following the Buddha. He separates from his childhood friend Govinda, who chooses to follow the Buddha. Siddhartha looks for happiness in the material world. He looks for happiness in sensual pleasure. He looks for happiness in the love of his son. But he becomes sick with despair, and realizes he must make changes in his life. He finally understands peace through his work as a ferry operator, listening daily to the river’s knowledge. “Seeking means having a goal, but finding means being free, having no goal.” (Hesse, 108)
Siddhartha is truly one of the great classics that tell the story of the spiritual journey. I think this book fits well with Beyond War’s third guiding principle, The Means are the End in the Making. If we can listen to one another with an open heart, without a goal or an angle, our chances for understanding one another increase. Siddhartha’s rejection of dogma and his trust in his own inner wisdom stands in refreshing polarity to today’s mainstream religious practices where believing is more important than self reflective questioning. With our focus on the goal of being happy instead of clinging to religious dogma, we are able to see each other as brother and sisters looking for peace. This book has a timeless quality that allows the wisdom in its pages to be of help to anyone looking for peace. All we need do is listen.
Question #1: Why do you think Siddhartha split up with his friend Govinda, and decided to not follow the Buddha?
Question #2: Siddhartha spent many years trying to find happiness in the material and sensual world. Do you see any parallels in your own life? In our culture? Describe the results.
Question #3: All over the world people have different ways of describing the truth and by what means to arrive at peace. Many wars have been fought over these religious differences. What are some ways that we can move beyond the dogma of religions to see each other as fellow human beings in the search for happiness?
Question #4: Describe the ways in which you have found peace and contentment in your life. Do you find any similarities to Siddhartha?
 |
 |
and the Foundation for Global Community. To join them as a sponsor or ally click here.
© 2009 Created by Beyond War
