Siddhartha Book Cover
Siddhartha by Herman Hesse
Friday, October 8, 2010
The Illustrious One
It was a few days after Govinda and I left the Samanas in searched of the Perfect One, and at last we think that we have found him. He is at the Jetavana cove, and he is was everyone says he is - perfect, with a calm face and smooth expressions. That night we even heard his teachings. He spoke of the Eightfold Path, the four main points, and patiently covered the usual method of teaching with examples and repetition. After that, Govinda went forward with many other pilgrims and asked to be accepted into the community, and the Buddha accepted him and the other. It was after the induction ceremony, when Gotama, retired for the night, that I realized that I could not find any teachings from teachers - I had to go on my own way, just as Gotama had done, and find my own Nirvana. I discovered that I could not see Govinda again, and when I mentioned my blessings to him, he started crying, and I was very upset at that. I even told the Perfect One that I could not stay, and he agreed with me. After that I left, and am now on my way to achieve my spiritual enlightenment.
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This journal entry is excellent. It is clear, concise, and incredibly detailed. Every important event in the chapter is mentioned and Siddhartha's emotions and feelings are also extremely comprehensible.
ReplyDelete-Jenna Grossinger
Gotama, is that his name? or is that like a title you get once you have reached Nirvana? If so, then what is his actual name?
ReplyDelete-Ryan Shaktah
What were the Four main points and the Eightfold Path? What happened to Govinda?
ReplyDeleteSo did Siddharthat refuse to listen to this Gotama? Did he confront him about his false teachings? Govinda is Siddhartha's friend and would follow him to the ends of the world. Does that mean that perhaps Siddhartha doesn't know what he is doing?
ReplyDelete-Judith Garcia