SIDDHARTHA

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Important Vocabulary Terms Ablution Atman Brahmin Courtesan Nirvana Samana

Important Characters Gotama Buddha Govinda Kamala Kamaswami Siddhartha Vasudeva Young Siddhartha

The Brahmin’s Son Why is Sidd unhappy? Why is his spirit like a “waiting vessel?” Why is Govinda willing to follow him? How are the Samanas described? From his description, how does the author feel about them?

The Brahmin’s Son How did Sidd convince his father? Why didn’t he just go? Why do you suppose “Mom” doesn’t have more of a role in the decision? Why, in the center of this chapter, does Sidd string together 20 rhetorical questions?

Stages of Development For Each Stage of Sidd’s Development: Attitude Experiences Relationships Discoveries Why/How he moves on

With the Samanas How does he act when he is with the Samanas? What is his goal? What happens when he reaches that goal? How does Sidd meditate? What frustrates Sidd? Complete this quote, “I could have learned more quickly and easily ___________________.”

With the Samanas According to Sidd, what can one learn? Who is Gotama? What does the author think of him? What does Sidd do with the oldest Samana? What does that feat show? How can you tell that Sidd is still very young? When Sidd meditates on the animals, what does the author do to show the change? When Sidd out-meditates the old Samana, how does the author show Sidd’s power?

Gotama How is Gotama different from the Samanas? How do they recognize him? Why does Govinda choose to join him? Why won’t Sidd? According to Sidd, how will he find enlightenment?

Gotama Gotama asks him if his followers will also find enlightenment. How does Sidd dodge this question? What has the Buddha robbed from him? What has he given? What does the Buddha mean by “clever?” Is Sidd arrogant?

Awakening What does Sidd decide to study? How is that the one field he has been ignorant in? Why does he feel an “icy chill?” He compares himself to a star. How is that so? How is he different now? Why, do you suppose, the third sentence of the chapter is so long?

Kamala How has his point of view changed? How does the writing style reflect this? Complete the quote, “To obey no other eternal command__________. Nothing else was necessary.” What does it mean to you? What dream does Sidd see? Will this woman lead him to enlightenment? What does Sidd think of the Ferryman and the river? Why doesn’t Sidd “ascend the tree” with the woman?

Kamala Hesse uses a simile to describe Kamala’s mouth. What is it? What does that say about the woman? How does Sidd prepare for Kamala? What does he want from her? Why might the portrayal of Kamala by politically incorrect? What three things can Sidd do? When Sidd receives his first kiss, the style changes. How? Why? Sidd compares himself to a stone. How is this so?

Amongst the People How does Sidd take control of the interview? For all of his holy skills, in the end, why does Kamaswami hire him? In your own words, what did Kamala teach him? What makes Sidd good at business? Why might he be an excellent partner for Kamaswami?

Amongst the People What does his four day trip to the village show about Sidd? How could that be good business? What does Sidd’s inner voice say? How is life “flowing past” him? What do you suppose a Samana heart is? How are Sidd and Kamala similar?

Samsara Does Sidd have a bad life? What is good about it? What had Sidd learned? (Important stuff) What happened when the property finally became a chain and a burden? How does his dice playing echo his real life? What was his Kamala dream about?

Samsara What was the Bird dream about? Why does he feel dead? Why is it important that Kamala is pregnant? Why out of that last trip? This chapter uses at least three major symbols or similes. What are they?

By the River Why does Sidd wish to kill himself? What is the tone of this section? Is it entirely serious? What sound does he hear? How does he react? How is he different when he wakes up? Who is sitting with him? What does Sidd start lecturing his friend about? How does the river work as a symbol?

The Ferryman Kamala has a pretty weak role. How would the story be different if she were stronger? What would happen if she had a sense of humor?

The Son What about Sidd would make him a lousy father? How does young Sidd take advantage of the father? What does he try and do for his son? Why won’t it work? Why doesn’t he punish the boy? Why is the river laughing? How has Sidd “gotten his own?”

The Son How can love be “Samsara”? Why does the son hate the father? Why did he break the oar? In losing his son, what might Sidd have gained? When you read this chapter, you might laugh at Sidd’s troubles. What is ironic about his losses?

Om What “wound” does Sidd have? What is the different light that he sees people in? What has been his biggest change since becoming a ferryman? As a result, how does the tone of the book change? What does the river do when Sidd goes to see his son? Whose reflection does he see?

Om Sidd and Vasudeva listen very, very closely to the river. What do they hear? Why is everything interconnected? Where does Vasudeva go? (NOT just into the woods)  Although there is one chapter left to go, the ultimate realization has come in this one. What is it?

Govinda Why is there still restlessness in Govinda’s heart? What is wrong with seeking, according to Sidd? Why doesn’t Sidd have a doctrine? How can wisdom not be communicable? Can you communicate knowledge? What is the symbolism of the stone?

Govinda How can Nirvana and Samsara be the same? What does Govinda see Sidd do? What does this show about Sidd’s final change? Could Sidd have become a Buddha while sitting next to a freeway instead of a river? Explain your answer.