Discussion Post Seeking two ids 1161 PDF

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The seeking 2 discussion assignment about Siddartha for the good life class...

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In Hesse's Sidhartha, the chapter “Om” shows Siddhartha finding his enlightenment and fully understanding the river but Hesse has yet to explain what has happened to Govinda. Personally, I think that Hesse wanted to bookend the novel by starting it with Siddartha and Govinda's journey and then finalizing both paths to give closure on both men. Their journey led the men down different paths as Govinda tended to be a shadow in the background of Siddhartha. I think the purpose of adding the final chapter “Govinda”, was to show how one can find enlightenment in their own ways. The final chapter “Govinda” is significant because it reveals why Govinda has struggled in finding his own enlightenment. Govinda asks Siddhartha, “But have you not found, if not a teaching, then certain thoughts, certain insights that are your own and the help you live?” (Hesse, 123). Govinda still has the mindset that teaching and wisdom must come from others' words, whereas Siddhartha has learned that although knowledge can be taught through words, wisdom can not be gained this way, which reveals their relationship as Govinda looks up to Siddhartha, just as he did in the beginning. As opposed to "Om" this chapter gives closure on Siddhartha’s journey and his findings, by summarizing all he learned on his path to enlightenment. Siddhartha discovered through Guatama’s findings explains, “I barely distinguish between thoughts and words. Frankly, I have little esteem for thoughts. I have more esteem for things” (Hesse, 127). And lastly, in this chapter, Govinda finally reaches true enlightenment and is no longer in Siddhartha's shadow as he reached a state of Nirvana, allowing him to “no longer (sees) his friend Siddhartha’s face; instead he (sees) other faces, many, a long row, a streaming river of faces . . .” (Hesse, 130). This chapter shows that although they took different paths at the end Siddhartha and Govinda came together, just as they started their journey, and reached enlightenment. Earlier in "Siddhartha", we saw Govinda and Siddhartha split ways once Govinda stayed with Buddha. My question is, would Govinda have reached enlightenment quicker if he had stayed with Siddhartha or would he have not fully understood the lessons that Siddhartha went through and follow a similar path he did now, of gaining enlightenment through listening to SIddhrtha's findings?...