AGENDA “A person’s character is revealed by their speech.” ~Greek Proverb 17 May 2012 Siddhartha! Background Notes Assignment Calendar/Journal Assignments Book Checkout

Siddhartha Background Notes  The author Hermann Hesse was born in Germany on July 2, 1877  Born to parents who were from missionary families  Travelled to India in 1911, and became fascinated with the story of the Buddha  Married 3 times  Won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1946  Died in 1962

Very Brief Buddhism Overview  To do no evil; To cultivate good; To purify one's mind: This is the teaching of the Buddhas. Buddhism is not a religion-it’s a philosophy. Buddhists do not “worship” Buddha-they just try to follow his teachings because they see him as someone who has achieved Nirvana, or “enlightenment.”

The Buddha  The Buddha was born Siddhartha Gautama to a wealthy family in approximately 566 BC.  When he was twenty-nine years old, he left the comforts of his home to seek the meaning of the suffering he saw around him.

The Buddha’s Life, Continued  After six years of arduous yogic training, he abandoned the way of self-mortification and instead sat in mindful meditation where he became “The Buddha.”  The Buddha wandered the plains of northeastern India for 45 years more, teaching the path, or “Dharma.”  In approximately 486 BC, at the age of 80, the Buddha died.

Teachings of Buddhism: The Four Noble Truths  Life is suffering.  Suffering is due to attachment  Attachment can be overcome  There is a path for accomplishing this.  You can’t avoid it, but it’s why we feel “bad”  To material things and relationships, which makes us “want”  It’s called “The Eight- Fold Path”

The Eight-Fold Path  Right view  Right aspirations  Right speech  Right action  Right livelihood  Right effort  Right mindfulness  Right concentration  Understanding of the Four Noble truths and a true desire to free oneself from the attachments  Abstain from gossip, lying, hurtful behaviors (including those that hurt yourself), and making your living in a way that doesn’t hurt  Focusing on meditation and reflection to support your right views, aspirations, speech, and actions

A Few Characters in Siddhartha  Siddhartha-our protagonist (not to be confused with "The” Siddhartha/Buddha)  Govinda- Siddhartha’s best friend  Gotama-how “The” Buddha is referred to in the book

Things to know  There are some “controversial” sections  The spiritual/sensual combines in some spots, and some imagery can be very suggestive (difference in culture/time period accounts for some of it)  Talk to me if you’re concerned!  There are some reading challenges because of the cultural language/vocabulary/difficult names, etc.  Don’t get too hung up on that…you may want to make brief notes about characters/etc. to help you keep it straight  Ask me for help if needed, or check out online resources All chapters will have study guides posted on the blog. They’re OPTIONAL, but could help you understand what’s going in. They would DEFINITELY help you on the final…hint, hint, hint…

How we’re going to read an awesome book in a short period of time Please take out your planner or a piece of notebook paper to record these important due dates!  During the practice board speeches, everyone will have 2 days where you’re rotated out of the classroom (in the hallway)  One day for reading  One day for group work  Keep up with your reading and journal assignments! This is almost all outside of class time!!  You’ll complete reading journal entries for sections of the book  Siddhartha assignment check #1 due (Chapters 1-4 in reading journal) DUE THURS. MAY 24 th  Siddhartha assignment check #2 due (Chapters 5-8 in reading journal) DUE FRI. JUNE 1 ST  Siddhartha assignment check #3 due (Chapters 9-12 in reading journal) DUE FRI. JUNE 8 TH

Your Assessments for Siddhartha  Monday, June 11 th, in class essay/reflection question on book  Tuesday, June 12 th, multiple choice test over book (plot, theme, characters, etc.)  THIS IS YOUR LAST DAY IN MY CLASS! SEE YOU AT THE BBQ ON WEDNESDAY!

Book Checkout  When you get your book, please open it to the introduction section titled “Glossary of Indian Terms” and skim over them.  Fill out the book checkout form as it comes around, please!