"Siddhartha"

Paper Summary:

This paper looks at Siddhartha, the protagonist in Herman Hesse's novel titled after the main character. Summarizing the book on Siddhartha's journey for enlightenment, the author describes Siddhartha's process of first studying the ways of the forest-dwelling ascetics, the Samanas. The paper then describes how, when that proves to be unyielding in lasting spiritual fruits, Siddhartha begins to embrace materialism and sensuality before realizing his goal of enlightenment with the understanding of unnecessary stringency of asceticism and the meaninglessness in a materialistic existence. The paper also discusses the tradition of asceticism as practiced in several major religions.

From the Paper:

"Asceticism played a major role in the psychological, social, and spiritual evolution of Siddhartha, the titular protagonist in Herman Hesse's novel. Modeled partly after the historical Gautama Buddha, Siddhartha begins his quest for enlightenment by following in the Brahmin footsteps of his fathers and forefathers. Finding little satisfaction in the rites and traditions of Brahmanism, Siddhartha starts to study the ways of the Samanas. The Samanas are forest-dwelling ascetics, rejecting all types of material comforts including sex, material goods, and any food except that which is required for the survival of the body."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Cort, J.E. "Singing the glory of asceticism: devotion of asceticism in Jainism." Journal of the American Academy of Religion 2002 70(4):719-742; doi:10.1093/jaar/70.4.719. Retrieved July 28, 2008 from http://jaar.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/70/4/719
• Hesse, Herman. Siddhartha. Online edition retrieved July 28, 2008 from http://www.online-literature.com/hesse/siddhartha/
• Miles, M. "Toward a New Asceticism." The Christian Century Foundation. Retrieved July 28, 2008 from http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=1708

More papers on "Siddhartha":

• Term Paper # 144528 : "Questions and Answers on Siddhartha"
• Persuasive Essay # 124125 : "Hesse's "Siddhartha"
• Essay # 32722 : "Siddhartha's Path to Oneness"

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