Siddhartha
 Describe
a situation in which you
have questioned your beliefs or
the beliefs of your culture. What
did you do to resolve your
questions?
Intro to
Siddhartha
by Herman
Hesse
Intro to Siddhartha
 The story of Siddhartha:
 Sidd
is a young Brahmin, a priestly
class, the highest in Hindu society.
He is handsome and educated, with
the potential to be a prince.
 Setting:
 The
novel is set six centuries before
the birth of Christ in ancient India
at the time of Gotama the Buddha.
Intro to Siddhartha
 Buddhism:
A religion followed by about 300 million
around the world. It comes from “budhi,” to
awaken. Its origins started when the Buddha
himself was awakened or enlightened at age of
35. (2500 years ago)
 Tolerant of other religions and provides a
purpose to lives with a code of practice to lead
to happiness.
 Middle Path is a balance between being good
hearted and attainment of knowledge through
emotion.

Intro to Siddhartha
 Four
 1st
Noble Truths:
truth is that life is suffering. This
is realistic, not pessimistic.
Buddhism explains how suffering
can be avoided.
 2nd truth is that suffering is caused
by craving and aversion. Rather
than struggling to get what you
want, try to modify wanting.
Intro to Siddhartha
 Four
 3rd
Noble Truths:
truth is that suffering can be
overcome and happiness
attained.
 4th truth is that the Novel 8-fold
Path is the path which leads to
the end of suffering.
Intro to Siddhartha
 Eightfold Path:
 Being
moral through what we say, do,
and our livelihood, focusing on being
fully aware of thoughts and actions, and
developing wisdom and compassion for
others.
 Nirvana:
 When we are happy and free and have more
time and energy to help others.
 Karma: every law has an effect. All individuals
must be responsible for their past and present.
Intro to Siddhartha
 One
of the teachings of Buddhism is
that wealth does not guarantee
happiness.
 Agree
or Disagree with this statement
and explain why or why not.
Intro to Siddhartha
 How
does Buddhism
compare/contrast to other lit
this year and their religious
beliefs?
Think
of what was valued in
previous cultures to help you
respond to this question.
Siddhartha, Chap 1
 Why
does Siddhartha seem so
unhappy? How is he like a
“waiting vessel?”

His Brahmin teachers of Hinduism
don’t question anything and haven’t
achieved enlightenment. He is a waiting
vessel because he’s looking to be filled
with knowledge of how to achieve
enlightenment.
Siddhartha, Chap 1
 Why
is Govinda willing to
follow him?
 He
is Sidd’s best friend and sees
Sidd taking his first step into the
world and wants to follow him.
Siddhartha, Chap 1
 How
are the Samanas
described?
 They
are half-naked, begging for
food, and living without the
comforts of life. They believe
enlightenment can only be
reached through asceticism- a
rejection of body and physical
desires.
Siddhartha, Chap 1
 How
does Siddhartha convince
his father? Why didn’t he just go?

Sidd stands in the dark all night with
his arms crossed. As a dutiful son, he
needs his father’s blessing. His dad asks
Sidd to return to tell him the secret of
enlightenment if he finds it.
Siddhartha, Chap 2

1. How does he act when he is with
the Samanas?
 Sidd dresses in rags and only takes
the barest sustenance in order to
survive.
Siddhartha, Chap 2

2. What is his goal? What happens
when he reaches that goal?
 Sidd’s
goal is to reach enlightenment,
which only is achieved when the self is
completely destroyed. Sidd thinks when
he is empty of everything his innermost
will be awakened.
Siddhartha, Chap 2

3. How does Siddhartha
meditate?
 He meditates on the syllable
Om which represents
perfection and unity while
sitting up straight. He sits
quietly and lessens his
heartbeat and breathing.
Siddhartha, Chap 2


4. What frustrates Siddhartha?
The eldest Samana is 60 and
has not reached enlightenment.
Siddhartha, Chap 2

5. Who is Gotama?
 Gotama
is the enlightened one,
The Buddha, who has overcome
the suffering of the world.
Siddhartha, Chap 2

6. What does Siddhartha do with the
oldest Samana? What does that feat
show?

Sidd hypnotizes him which shows he
has learned all he can from him. He
learns that the path to achieve
enlightenment can only come when the
approach used takes into account the
world as well. It shows he has learned
all he can from them.
Siddhartha, Chap 3

1. How is Gotama different from the
Samanas?


Gotama teaches Buddhism’s eightfold
Path, the Fourfold Way, and to embrace
the unity of all things in order to
achieve freedom from suffering.
2. How do they recognize him?

Gotama radiates pure enlightenment
and wears a gold robe.
Siddhartha, Chap 3

3. Why does Govinda choose to
join him? Why won’t Siddhartha
join him?
 Govinda
agrees with Gotama’s
teachings, so he stays. Sidd does
not agree with the teachings and
thinks Govinda is a distraction to
him, so he leaves.
Siddhartha, Chap 3

4. According to Siddhartha, how
will he find enlightenment?
 Sidd
decides he must find
enlightenment on his own, and he
cannot rely on an individual
religion or teacher in his search.
Siddhartha, Chap 3

5. What has the Buddha robbed
from him? What has he given
him?
 The
Buddha robbed Govinda from
him. The Buddha has given Sidd
the knowledge that enlightenment
is achieved from within.
Siddhartha, Chap 4

1. What does Siddhartha decide
to study? How is that the one
field he has been ignorant in?
 Sidd
decides to study himself and
learn from himself, so he can
understand himself. He thinks this
is the one area he doesn’t know.
Siddhartha, Chap 4

2. Why does he feel an “icy
chill”? He compares himself to a
star. How is that so?
 He
realizes he is all alone like a
star.

3. How is he different now?
 Sidd
is on a new path by himself.
End of part 1 Summary

Siddhartha’s life parallels the historical Buddha’s
history as his life was formed around three events:
the departure from his father’s house, the wasted
and frustrating years between pursuit of worldly
possessions and extreme asceticism, and finally,
the determination of the Middle path as the only
road to enlightenment. The middle path is
experiencing and understanding Truth and Reality
which requires courage, patience, flexibility, and
intelligence.
Siddhartha, Chap 5

1. How has his point of view changed?


Sidd now seeks meaning in the world through the
senses. He is allowing the world to influence him, which
he hasn’t done before.
2. Complete the quote: “To obey no other eternal
command __. Nothing else was necessary.” What
does this quote mean?

…only the voice, to be prepared – that was good, that
was necessary. This means to listen to one’s voice and
Sidd will now rely in himself. Sidd has learned that the
knowledge he is seeking comes from within.
Siddhartha, Chap 5

3. What dream does Siddhartha see? Will
this woman lead him to enlightenment?


Sidd sees Govinda turning into a woman
which shows he is moving from his previous
aesthetic life to a new life of desire. He learns
to differentiate between listening to one’s
inner voice and giving in to impulse. The
woman will help lead him to enlightenment as
he is listening within to his own desires.
4. What does Siddhartha think of the
Ferryman and of the river?

Sidd finds comfort in the Ferryman’s words
and thinks of the river as a transition to a new
world. They are kind and beautiful.
Siddhartha, Chap 5

5. Why doesn’t Siddhartha “ascend the
tree” with the woman?


Sidd’s inner voice tells him to resist the
temptation.
6. Hesse uses a simile to describe the
woman’s (Kamala’s) mouth. What is it?
What does that say about the woman?

He compares her mouth to a fresh, cut fig
which implies how tempting and inviting she
is. She is beautiful and exudes sexuality.
Siddhartha, Chap 5

7. How does Siddhartha prepare for
Kamala? What does he want from her?


Sidd prepares by bathing, shaving, and getting
a haircut. He wants Kamala to teach him the
art of love.
8. Why might the portrayal of Kamala be
politically incorrect?

She represents women as purely sexual and a
symbol of desire. A woman represented by
sexuality would be politically incorrect.
Siddhartha, Chap 5

9. Who is Kamaswami?


He is a wealthy businessman who will teach
Sidd the business world.
10. Siddhartha compares himself to a
stone. How is this so?

Like a stone falling to the bottom of water,
Sidd is drawn toward his goal and cannot be
distracted or swayed from his path. It is the
same as the way a stone falls directly to the
bottom of water and doesn’t deviate in its
path.
Siddhartha, Chap 6

1. How does Siddhartha take control
of the interview?


Sidd proves he has valuable skills to
offer Kamaswami, such as intelligence,
patience, and the ability to fast.
2. For all of his holy skills, in the
end, why does Kamaswami hire
him?

Sidd is hired because he can read and
write.
Siddhartha, Chap 6

3. In your own words and thoughtfully,
what did Kamala teach him?


Kamala taught Sidd to act in a manner that
required Kamaswami to respect him. He
learns about the physical act of love, but more
importantly, he learns patience and selfrespect.
4. What makes Siddhartha good at
business? Why might he be an excellent
partner for Kamaswami?

He can act aggressively in business because he
does not fear success or failure which
balances Kamaswami’s desire for profit.
Siddhartha, Chap 6

5. What does his four day trip to the
village show about Siddhartha? How
could that be good business?


Sidd accepts all differences in people and
keeps an even temper when dealing with
them.
6. What does Siddhartha’s inner voice
say? How is life “flowing past” him?

Inner voice says life is like living a game. He is
not active in what is going on around him. All
activities surround him but he is not actively
engaged in them.
Siddhartha, Chap 6

7. How are Siddhartha and Kamala
similar?

They both have a stillness and
sanctuary about them, and they can
retreat and be themselves. They are
very independent.
Siddhartha, Chap 7

1. What had Siddhartha learned
“amongst the people”?


Sidd has learned to enjoy possessions
and live like a wealthy person.
2. What happened when the
property finally became a chain and
a burden?

Sidd leaves the city in despair when
property no longer brings him
pleasure.
Siddhartha, Chap 7

3. How does his dice playing echo his real
life?


He played dice and gambled in a way that
showed how much he hated the wealth and
possessions he had acquired. He felt empty
when he gambled in the same way he felt his
life was empty and devoid of meaning.
4. What was his Kamala dream about?

Sidd dreams Kamala asks about Gotama and
he dissuades her from seeking him out.
Siddhartha, Chap 7

5. What was the Bird dream about?
What does it mean?


The rare songbird dies which signifies
what will happen to Sidd if he continues
on his current path, so he leaves the
city.
6. Why does he feel dead?

Sidd can no longer hear his spiritual
voice.
Siddhartha, Chap 7

7. Why is it important that Kamala is
pregnant? Why out of that last trip?

Kamala decides to take no more lovers
and experiences her own awakening.
Her pregnancy parallels the change
Sidd will undergo next.
Siddhartha, Chap 8

1. Why does Siddhartha wish to
kill himself?
 Sidd
feels that neither abstinence
from desires nor indulgence in
desires has brought him closer to
enlightenment.
Siddhartha, Chap 8

2. How is he different when he
wakes up? Who is sitting with him?

When Sidd wakes up, Govinda is next to
him. Sidd is now at peace and realizes
that over thinking has stopped him
from achieving enlightenment. He
decides not to leave the river and take
the path that comes naturally.
Siddhartha, Chap 8

3. What does Siddhartha start
lecturing his friend about?
 Sidd says he is still a spiritual
pilgrim even though he is well fed
and looks wealthy. Sidd tries to tell
Govinda that none of the
traditional paths will lead to
enlightenment
Siddhartha, Chap 9

1. What does Siddhartha learn from
the Ferryman?


Sidd learns how to reach detached
enlightenment and to listen to the
river’s secrets and legends, such as time
does not exist and only the present
matters.
2. How are the skills he is learning
now important to him for life?

He is learning to exist in the moment.
Siddhartha, Chap 9

3. What do people say about
Siddhartha and the Ferryman?


They exist in harmony with one
another.
4. How are they becoming alike? Is
this a good thing?

They are both reaching enlightenment
which is a good thing.
Siddhartha, Chap 9

5. Describe the events surrounding Kamala’s
meeting Siddhartha again.


Kamala and her son are traveling to see the
dying Buddha. A poisonous snake bites Kamala.
Vasudeva hears the son’s cries and finds Kamala
who he carries to their hut. Vasudeva sees the
son’s resemblance to Sidd.
6. How has Siddhartha changed since their
last meeting? How has Kamala changed?

Kamala says Sidd looks like an enlightened one.
Kamala has also reached enlightenment.
Siddhartha, Chap 9

7. What happens to Kamala? How
does this effect Siddhartha?

She dies, and Sidd is affected because
the son lives with the two ferrymen.
Siddhartha, Chap 11

1. What “wound” does Siddhartha have?
What is the different light that he sees
people in?


The wound Sidd has is from the loss of his son.
He can see the serenity of knowledge in
people.
2. What has been his biggest change since
becoming a ferryman? As a result, how
does the tone of the book change?

He has realized his place in the world and
similarity with others who suffer to reach
inner peace.
Siddhartha, Chap 11

3. What does the river do when
Siddhartha goes to see his son? Whose
reflection does he see?


4. Siddhartha and Vasudeva listen very,
very closely to the river. What do they
hear? Why is everything interconnected?


The river laughs and Sidd sees the reflection
of his father, who he now resembles, in his
own face.
The river’s voice was sorrowful. All of the
yearning and goals of everyone in the world
was united.
5. Where does Vasudeva go? (Hint: not
just the woods)

Vasudeva goes to die.
Siddhartha, Chap 12

1. Why is there still restlessness in
Govinda’s heart?


Govinda feels that he has not achieved
the kind of enlightenment that Sidd
radiates.
2. What is wrong with seeking,
according to Siddhartha?

You can’t seek Nirvana from an outside
source. You must find it within.
Siddhartha, Chap 12


3. Why doesn’t Siddhartha have a
doctrine? How can wisdom not be
communicable? Can you communicate
knowledge?
 Sidd feels he can’t teach enlightenment
but seekers can be guided. He also
thinks you can’t divide people into good
and bad. Seekers have to be guided to
knowledge.
4. What is the symbolism of the stone?
 The stone symbolizes the potential in
everything so all things are sacred.
Siddhartha, Chap 12

5. How can Nirvana and Samsara be
the same?
 For every truth there is an
opposite truth, so you cannot
divide the world into things that
are Samsara and things that are
Nirvana. No one and nothing is
every truly and fully saintly or
sinful.
Siddhartha, Chap 12

6. What does Govinda see
Siddhartha do? What does this show
about Siddhartha’s final change?
 He saw Sidd’s face reflect all the
forms and faces he experienced.
Sidd’s smile was the smile of unity,
like Gotama, so Sidd had become
just like the Illustrious one.