Siddhartha

Features of Siddhartha

Product Description With parallels to the enlightenment of the Buddha, Hesse's Siddhartha is the story of a young Brahmin's quest for the ultimate reality. Steeped in the tenets of both psychoanalysis and Eastern mysticism, Siddhartha presents an original view of man and culture, and the arduous process of self-discovery that leads to reconciliation, harmony, and peace. Review Filled with timeless truths and told so beautifully with images that burn deep into your being, Hesse's novel speaks powerfully to every generation of spiritual seekers... A fresh translation of Siddhartha that offers greater authenticity than any other translation while still preserving the unique beauty of the original prose. --Branches of Light About the Author A major preoccupation of Herman Hesse in writing Siddhartha was to cure his 'sickness with life' (Lebenskrankheit) by immersing himself in Indian philosophy such as that expounded in the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita. The second half of the book took years to write, because Hesse had not experienced that transcendental state of unity to which Siddhartha aspires. In order to at least approximate that state, Hesse lived as a virtual semi-recluse and became totally immersed in the sacred teachings of both Hindu and Buddhist scriptures. His intention was to attain to that 'completeness' which, in the novel, is the Buddha's badge of distinction. (Donald McClory) The novel is structured on three of the traditional stages of life for Hindu males (student/brahmacarin, householder/grihastha, and renunciate/vanaprastha) as well as the Buddha s four noble truths (Part One) and eight-fold path (Part Two) which form twelve chapters, the number in the novel.