Siddhartha

[Nikia]

I burst into tears at the end of the book, when Siddhartha shares his wisdom with his friend about the unity of things. I had never looked at things that way. It made so much sense though. Maybe, it will change my life.
Is that philosophy that of a major religion or philosophy or is it particuliar to that book?

[Metta]

1. The last part is 100% Buddhist.

It may also be part of Hinduism. Someone else would have to verify that. You might like to poke around in here: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/index.html :hi: :)

[EC]

3. Siddhartha was Hindu to begin with and wanted a different way

and became the Buddist, only he believed one had to experience life, not just be taught, in order to find self and salvation.

Like St. Francis in Christianity, he believed in a simple life (a vow of poverty)and looked to nature for truth.

I think it's the journey to find yourself.

[EC]

2. All of Hermann Hesse's books are good

Siddhartha is the first I gave my daughter when she was 12 or 13, same reaction as you, than I gave her Steppenwolf and the rest...She loved all of them and learned alot about human nature. She really liked Journey to the East. I'm thinking about rereading them, they are short and very good.

[saltpoint]

4. Buddhism. The novel beautifully conveys so many of its essential

tenets.

Maybe head into a used bookshop and root through the Religion/Philosophy sections. You're bound to come upon several titles there about Buddhism.

[hermetic]

5. Had the exact same experience/feelings

when I read it. And I still have my copy to read again. A very powerful piece of work.

[frankenforpres]

6. maybe easier to become a buddhist

after years of living lavishly and partying it up.



i liked the book a lot, but i always wonder if it is a rejection of the material, or the satiation of the material that is the driving force.

[hermetic]

7. I am in the process of rejecting much of the material

now, after having been satiated with it for many years. Feels good. Welcome to DU! :hi:

[northzax]

13. I think it works that way for a lot of spiritual things

look at many of the great Saints in the Catholic church, St. Francis, Thomas Aquinas, even more latter day theologians, like Thomas Merton, and many others, after the life of debauchery, there is a new appreciation for being born again (so to speak)

of course, it doesn't always work that way (see: George W. Bush)

[Davros]

8. Recommended Buddhist book

I had the same reaction as most of you with this book. If you want to learn more about Buddhism I would recommend "The Feeling Buddha" By David Brazier. He approaches Buddhism from a Westerner's perspective and it is a good follow-up book to Sidhartha.

[Sequoia]

9. I wasn't that pleased with him because

he didn't want women into the club. Said it'd take much longer to achieve Narvana because women were a tempation. Guess they didn't have man who love men back then. Any religion that excludes women is NOT for me.

[NewHampshireDem]

11. Buddhism excludes women?!?

That must be news to the thousands of Buddhist nuns the world over ... I'll call Pema Chodron, you call the rest! :)

Seriously, here's some information about women and Buddhism you might find enlightening (pardon the pun!).

http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/history/women.htm

[Kiouni]

10. I think this is one of the

most moving books i have ever read. I think its up their with "the alchemist" by pablo coehlo.

[kweerwolf]

12. Siddhartha was the first book of Hesse's I read ...

... and that was back in the '70s when they were popular in college. I really enjoyed it, but when I reread it a few years ago I didn't feel that it stood up as well as some of his other works. It's a good introduction to Hesse, but most of his major themes (such as the duality of man) are better explored in works like Steppenwolf, Narcissus and Goldmund and Magister Ludi (also known as The Glass Bead Game).