Buddhism in the Novel “Siddhartha” by Hermann Hesse

In Siddhartha, Hermann Hesse presents the theme of enlightenment as an unrelenting quest for the truth, which he considers essential for achieving a harmonious connection with the world. Nirvana, or a universal understanding of life, is the truth searched for by Siddhartha and Govinda, who both have a basic desire to comprehend their spiritual life. The two start their quest by convicting themselves that finding Nirvana is possible. On keenly observing the difference between knowing things by experience and through the mind, Siddhartha and Govinda discuss the progress and age of one of their spiritual teachers. For example, in their discussion, Govinda replies, “Our eldest has reached perhaps the age of sixty years,” and Siddhartha says, “Sixty years old, and has not attained nirvana” (Hesse 9). Based on their discussion, Siddhartha and Govinda wonder why the men, holy as they seem, have not yet reached the state of enlightenment despite possessing much knowledge about it.

From the narration, Siddhartha achieves enlightenment when he is brought to the river for the final time. Siddhartha finally sees a flow of images from his life, his time with Kamala, and his father’s and Govinda’s faces, as they dissolve and merge into the flow of the river itself. He hears the thousands of voices in the world culminate into one single sound, Om (Hesse). Finally, Siddhartha comprehends life as one constant flow of unity as he merges with the flow of the river itself and discovers where enlightenment resides all moments, as illustrated in the video on Life of the Buddha. Siddhartha tells Govinda, “You. Vulnerable one, may indeed be a seeker, for, striving towards your goal, there is much you do not see which is right before your eyes” (Hesse 110). Since Siddhartha achieves enlightenment, he instructs Govinda to take an indirect approach to search for the truth.

Work Cited

Hesse, Hermann. Siddhartha. S.l.: Sterling Pub Co Inc. 2022.

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StudyCorgi. (2023) 'Buddhism in the Novel “Siddhartha” by Hermann Hesse'. 8 January.

1. StudyCorgi. "Buddhism in the Novel “Siddhartha” by Hermann Hesse." January 8, 2023. https://studycorgi.com/buddhism-in-the-novel-siddhartha-by-hermann-hesse/.


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StudyCorgi. "Buddhism in the Novel “Siddhartha” by Hermann Hesse." January 8, 2023. https://studycorgi.com/buddhism-in-the-novel-siddhartha-by-hermann-hesse/.

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StudyCorgi. 2023. "Buddhism in the Novel “Siddhartha” by Hermann Hesse." January 8, 2023. https://studycorgi.com/buddhism-in-the-novel-siddhartha-by-hermann-hesse/.

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