Assignment # 3 Siddhartha

      "A goal stood before Siddhartha, a single goal: to become empty, empty of thirst, empty of wishing, empty of dreams, empty of joy and sorrow. Dead to himself, not to be a self any more, to find tranquility with an emptied heard, to be open to miracles in unselfish thoughts, that was his goal. Once all of my self was overcome and had died, once every desire and every urge was silent in the heart, then the ultimate part of me had to awake, the innermost of my being, which is no longer my self, the great secret."

Hesse, H. (2009). Siddhartha. http://www.guttenberg.org/files/2500/2500-h/25

     Siddhartha's goal was to find meaning to his life; he desired to be different from his father and the elders in village. He wished for a life of fullfillment, a life of substance, a life of tranquility and a life with warmth and happiness. I believe Siddhartha was seeking completeness through sacrificial cleansing, he wished to experience oneness with his mind, body, and soul. Siddhartha  wanted to learn different ways of coping with
his life and present situation. Learning the true meaning and the values of life was of great significance to him.

   The above passage was chosen as it represent the ideas most members of certain religious practices. I beleive that like Christians, Jews, or Muslims all tends to seek complete oneness with the soul, body, and mind. For christians the ultimate goal is to be forgiven of all sins, to be filled with the holy ghost, and to speak in multiple tongues. Like Siddhartha most christians, achieve the ultimate through sacrificing or spiritual cleansing.

1. Why does Siddhartha leave his father?
Siddhartha leave his father's house to learn his true identity, and to find oneness with his body, soul, and mind. He also wanted to be different from his father and the elders in his village.

2. If Siddhartha never lived with Kamala and the people in the city would he have reached Enlightenment faster?
No, I believe the experience in the village would have limited Siddhartha search to find oneness and achieve enlightenment because of his desire to please his father and the elders. The city provided the opportunity for him to learn and experience new things.

3. What is the significance of the river?
In the river Siddhartha could see a reflection of his-self, the emptiness of his soul, and the problems he faced daily. The river was viewed as an escape route for him.

4. What is the identity of Vasudeva?
Vasudeva initial identity was  that a ferryman, he was a great teacher and a wonderful listener to others. He was a problem solver and a remover of obstacles , but in the end he was viewed as the river  the end to it all or as a God.

5.  Does Siddhartha's search for oneness and unity lead to being politically passive and conservative?
I believe Siddhartha's search for oneless and unity resulted in  political passiveness as he exhibits and resentment about injustice among the lases; conservatively Siddhartha was non-judgemental and believe unity among all could resolve most problems.