Siddhartha, Hermann Hesse , and Buddhism

1. Siddhartha, Hermann Hesse, and Buddhism A short introduction to all three

2. Hermann Hesse • 1877-1962 • German • Self-knowledge • Spirituality • Married three times • Abandoned first wife • Children lived with relatives and caregivers • Spent early years surrounded by academics • Traveled from school to school • Worked in book shops, one specializing in Theological texts

3. Hermann Hesse • Mother born at a missionary in India • Religion part of his life, but something he struggled with • Battled depression from a young age • Transient life at boarding schools • Hospitalized at a young age • Buddhism became an important focus

4. Siddhartha • 12 chapters • The Four Noble Truths • The Noble Eightfold Path • Siddhartha Gautama – Gautama Buddha • Teachings influenced Buddhism • Prince of Kapilvastu, Nepal • Left his home and was uncomfortable with materialism and all the “bad stuff”

5. SiddharthaCharacters • Siddhartha-protagonist, based on Buddha • Govinda-Siddhartha’s buddy, companion for a portion of the novel • Siddhartha’s father-allows Siddhartha to leave • Samanas-ascetics • Ascetism-deprivation from all comforts = enlightenment

6. SiddharthaCharacters • Kamala-Siddhartha’s wife • Young Siddhartha-Kamala/Siddhartha’s son • Kamaswami-Siddhartha’s business mentor • Vasudeva-ferryman, seemingly “dumb” • Gotama-spiritual mentor

7. SiddharthaVocabulary • Brahmin-Hindu class system • Om-sound that is mystical • Samanas-wandering ascetics • Prajapati- “the creator”… group deity procreation and protector of life • Atman-the “self” • Upanishads-Hindu texts

8. Buddhism-An Introduction • Dukkha-anything that causes stress, suffering, discomfort, sadness, depression, etc. • The Four Noble Truths • The truth of dukkha • The origin of dukkha • The elimination of dukkha • The way to eliminate dukkha

9. Buddhism-An Introduction

10. Buddhism-An Introduction