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Siddhartha
Siddhartha
An Indian Tale
An allegorical novel that follows the spiritual journey of an Indian man called Siddhartha during the time of Buddha (6th century B.C.). Beginning with the main character's departure from his Brahmin home the search for enlightenment takes Siddhartha through a series of changes and realizations.
Book Excerpt
ed, unsown cloak.
He ate only once a day, and never something cooked. He fasted for
fifteen days. He fasted for twenty-eight days. The flesh waned from
his thighs and cheeks. Feverish dreams flickered from his enlarged
eyes, long nails grew slowly on his parched fingers and a dry, shaggy
beard grew on his chin. His glance turned to icy when he encountered
women; his mouth twitched with contempt, when he walked through a city
of nicely dressed people. He saw merchants trading, princes hunting,
mourners wailing for their dead, whores offering themselves, physicians
trying to help the sick, priests determining the most suitable day for
seeding, lovers loving, mothers nursing their children--and all of this
was not worthy of one look from his eye, it all lied, it all stank,
it all stank of lies, it all pretended to be meaningful and joyful and
beautiful, and it all was just concealed putrefaction. The world tasted
bitter. Life was torture.
A goal stood before Siddhartha, a single goal: to become empty,
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This is the best human work i have ever read.
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uhhhhh this book is okay i kind of like it...it is very simple but the beginning is kind of boring...im reading it in my High School (Sophmore Requirement Book). It's nothing like what i usually read but im just trying to bare with it. The middle is kind of good though =]
11/30/2009
This is a very good book. It is different from the teachings of Gotama Buddha, but has relevance to many people's lives.
08/16/2008
I really enjoyed this enlighted book.
01/23/2008
Truly one of the most influential books I have ever read. I return to it every few years, not because the book has changed but because I have.
01/13/2008
Probably one of the greatest story you can read. Its language simple yet thoughts provoked profound.
Hesse captured an essence of Buddhism in a mortal's quest for salvation. Taking a leaf from Buddha's life and philosophy, the character Siddhartha's worldly odyssey led eventually to his spiritual discernment of reality, the nature of life and true happiness.
The English version is flawless. Unruffled reading with subtle imageries. Inspirational.
Hesse captured an essence of Buddhism in a mortal's quest for salvation. Taking a leaf from Buddha's life and philosophy, the character Siddhartha's worldly odyssey led eventually to his spiritual discernment of reality, the nature of life and true happiness.
The English version is flawless. Unruffled reading with subtle imageries. Inspirational.
05/28/2007
this is a great novel by Herman Hesse. The author takes us back in time and decoratively describes the journey of a young man to salvation, the path of which is unique to each individual.
12/28/2005
Good short book. Very simple (almost Biblical) language. An easy read, and has a good message. Highly recommended (for non-German speakers). NJD
06/09/2005
I still prefer the original..
01/27/2005
An allegorical novel which deals with the spiritual journey of an Indian man called Siddhartha during the time of the Buddha.
The book was originally written in German, using simple, powerful and lyrical language. First published in 1922 after Hesse had spent some time in India, it became quite influential during the 1960s.
"Siddhartha" means "he who has attained his goals". The full name of the Buddha was Siddhartha Gautama.
The book was originally written in German, using simple, powerful and lyrical language. First published in 1922 after Hesse had spent some time in India, it became quite influential during the 1960s.
"Siddhartha" means "he who has attained his goals". The full name of the Buddha was Siddhartha Gautama.
09/25/2004
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