Day 4SIDDHARTHA

If you want to be truly unique, do you truly belong somewhere?

What is the difference between what teachers teach us and what we must learn on our own?

Is it natural to want to imitate or be unique?

GOTAMA: ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

Are feelings real? How do they lead to tangible outcomes?

After a major realization (or awakening) we usually feel stupid. What was presenting us from seeing the truth prior to the realization?

Is it possible to look only to the future, no longer look backwards?

AWAKENING: ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

Equanimity (n) = remaining calm whilst under pressure. We saw this word in The Importance of Being Earnest!

Make sure I get your vocabulary word input.

VOCABULARY

Make a list of ten things you know (with 100% certainty) about yourself.

Make a list of ten things that remind you that you’re growing up –positive (getting license!) or negative (aching bones!).

WARM-UP

Take a look at the fact half-sheet and the back of the handout. There are facts about Buddhism and the historical Buddha.

Complete the handout with a partner.

While you’re answering the two questions on the bottom, keep these three things in mind: This novel was written just after WWI. It’s more than an explanation of Indian philosophy. It’s autobiographical of Hesse.

THE HISTORICAL BUDDHA

Gotama

Teaches the Four Noble Truths and that life is pain.

Called the Enlightened One.

Wanted to solve suffering for all humans.

Attained Nirvana

Siddhartha

Went on quest for enlightenment.

Adopted Indian Asceticism.

Born into a leader’s family

Is called Siddhartha and the Awakened One.

Does not believe in a personal God.

GOTAMA AND SIDDHARTHA

Why do you think Hesse chose to create two characters whose names, actions, and beliefs relate to the historical fi gure of the Buddha? Clearly the difference between Gotama and Siddhartha is

important. They are not the same, but they exist at the same moment in time.

Siddhartha is truly on his own. He does not want or need followers. His goal is to achieve peace for himself.

Siddhartha’s way is his own –not Govinda’s, not the Buddha’s, not even Hesse’s.

Perhaps Hesse needed to restore peace to his world and belief in humanity after the turmoil of WWI.

Hesse sorts things out through Siddhartha?

TWO DIFFERENT CHARACTERS?

Why did Hesse not include a clear reference to a particular time period or geographical region? He wanted to created a legendary or magical world. Hesse didn’t want readers to be terribly concerned with

trying to figure out the truth about actual events. It’s not an explanation of Indian philosophy.

But by placing Siddhartha in ancient India with the Buddha, he creates a timeless, mythic validity.

“The legendary times allow the reader to lose the sense of differentiation and to come nearer to the oneness of the human race.”

The parallels to the Buddha’s life contribute to the legendary quality, too.

TIME AND PLACE?

Where is Siddhartha headed next?

Let’s continue reading and we shall see! Homework: finish chapters called Kamala

and Amongst the People. Presentations?

PREDICTIONS