Siddharthas Spitiual And Intellectual Growth Essay

Siddharthas Spiritual And Intellectual Growth In Siddhartha by Herman Hesse, a young Brahmin in the wealthier part of India, approximately three thousand years ago, decides to set a goal onto his life. He decides to journey along the path of enlightenment and reach Nirvana, a state of total bliss. His dear friend, Govinda, accompanies him on this journey. Siddhartha sets out to seek the path to enlightenment, but it is long and difficult. Along the way, he grows spiritually and intellectually from a young seeking Brahmin, to an old, wise, and content ferryman with the knowledge of†¦show more content†¦After three years, Siddhartha realizes that he is not progressing toward his goal. He had learned all the Samanas could teach, and he lost himself a thousand times and for days on end he dwelt in non-being. But although the paths took him away from Self, in the end they always led back to it (15-16). Siddhartha discovers this was not the path he sought; escaping from ones Self did not bring one to salvation. His wisdom gre w when he accepted there was another path and this short escape from Self is experienced by others in a quite different way such as people who drink numbing their senses like he did with the Samanas. He sees that in truth, there is no learning and that his questioning and thirst for knowledge could not be satisfied by teaching. Seeking another path, Siddhartha hears of a Buddha named Gotama, and with Govinda, who also chooses to leave, ventures to see him. After a short journey, Siddhartha and Govinda arrive at the resting place of the Buddha and meet many others who had also come to hear him preach. After one of the Buddhas speeches, Govinda chooses to diverge from Siddharthas path and follow the path of the Buddha with many other followers and is shocked when Siddhartha refuses to. Before leaving, Siddhartha meets and talks with the Buddha face-to-face seeking console. Siddhartha says to the Buddha, You