Siddhartha Essay

[bruce_robak]

I am a sophomore in high school and would like some help on an essay I have to do for my English II class. I developed my own topic but need some help. The essay will compare how Siddhartha and Gotama achieve enlightenment and how love plays a part. Any advice, opinions, or information would be greatly appreciated. Thank You.

Bruce Robak

[novellover]

Hi
I have read the book and am acquainted with the story of Lord Buddha (I think that's what Gotama refers to, right?). I am no expert but I feel that the key to Siddhartha's enlightenment was the understanding that he developed of the human psyche, our emotions and all that. Initially, he started out as a saint, a man who was extremely learned but who could not understand man's fascination with wealth, women, love. But it was only once he fell into a more corrupt and human life of comforts that he understood their hold over men including himself. Similarly, he couldn't understand love and pain for a child that a parent feels before he felt it for himself. I think towards the end of the book he refers to how he now understood the feelings and emotions that common people feel. He had to travel backwards, if you will to get an understanding of the human condition. As far as Lord Buddha is concerned, I feel he already had that basic, deep-felt empathy for the human condition. His first encounter with sufferring (which eventually led him to renounce his family and kingdom) just made him aware of it. And his life henceforth was led according to the path that he instinctively felt could alleviate sufferring-the path of renunciation. Again, these are my views only and I am by no means an expert. But, I wish you luck with the essay and congratulate you on your choice of topic.

[xocheerxo171]

i need help on comparing how to charicters in siddartha achive enlightment

[simon]

I think if both of you look into buddhism a bit you will find some answers. Focus on how each character over comes the ego and attains happiness. Also look at the cycle of suffering present in the novel. Samsara is the cycle of suffering. Look into the four noble truths about suffering and that will help you to understand the novel.

[starrwriter]

The lesson about love in "Siddhartha" was a rather sad one to me. As a form of wanting or clutching, love is doomed to end in suffering. Likewise, the lesson about having children who will always break your heart even if they don't mean to.

For me Buddhism is a very difficult outlook. It doesn't leave much room for the ordinary longings of human nature. I don't think suffering is worth avoiding at such a high cost. Better to develop a thicker skin and just suck it up than to gain a painless enlightenment.

[Pensive]

I just completed it the day before yestersday.

I agree with you there starrwriter, it was a very touching novel. Buddhism is a difficult religion based on the eternal happiness. It deals with the happiness in human's heart.

[Starving Buddha]

I am a sophomore in high school and would like some help on an essay I have to do for my English II class. I developed my own topic but need some help. The essay will compare how Siddhartha and Gotama achieve enlightenment and how love plays a part. Any advice, opinions, or information would be greatly appreciated. Thank You.

Bruce Robak

Love in the sense of a personal attachment (ie either amourous or fillial) must be abandoned. Siddhartha left his wife and child to seek ultimate truth. He let go of everything. However, in achieving enlightenment, he realized love and compassion for ALL LIVING THINGS! That all sentient beings are suffering. Upon achieving enlightenment, he no longer was "Siddhartha Gotama" but had absorbed into life itself and realized that life and the one living it are synonomous. Life is a reflection, and it is only until that reflection is perfected that one can see it clearly. And perfection is getting rid of the distractions and obstructions that mar the image (ie personal attachments- which represent the ties that allow karma to continue to control, and which maintains the suffering) It is only in breaking these attachments, and realizing the unity of ALL, that one can find peace. You should read "Siddhartha" by Hermann Hesse... Beautiful portrayal!