More Than More Than Meets the EyeMeets the Eye

FeracoFeraco

Search for Human PotentialSearch for Human Potential

13 September 201013 September 2010

Who is Siddhartha?Who is Siddhartha? Truly, not a single thing in all the Truly, not a single thing in all the

world has so occupied my thoughts world has so occupied my thoughts as this Self of mine, this riddle: that I as this Self of mine, this riddle: that I am alive and that I am One, am am alive and that I am One, am different and separate from all different and separate from all others, that I am Siddhartha! And others, that I am Siddhartha! And there is not a thing in the world there is not a thing in the world about which I know less than about about which I know less than about myself!...I’ll be my own teacher, my myself!...I’ll be my own teacher, my own pupil. I’ll study myself – learn own pupil. I’ll study myself – learn the secret that is Siddhartha. (31)the secret that is Siddhartha. (31)

What’s in a Name?What’s in a Name? What factors go into choosing a character’s name?What factors go into choosing a character’s name? Sometimes, a personal connection determines the choice – Sometimes, a personal connection determines the choice –

Ellie in “Up,” for exampleEllie in “Up,” for example Symbolism and thematic concerns can also play a part, Symbolism and thematic concerns can also play a part,

with the name’s sound/definition either reflecting that with the name’s sound/definition either reflecting that character’s arc or personality or underscoring the author’s character’s arc or personality or underscoring the author’s main message(s)main message(s) Take the main character in Dostoevsky’s Take the main character in Dostoevsky’s Crime and Crime and

Punishment,Punishment, a man whose personality swings wildly between a man whose personality swings wildly between extremes (to the point that he seems like two different men in extremes (to the point that he seems like two different men in the same body)the same body)

His name, Raskolnikov, is based on the Russian word for His name, Raskolnikov, is based on the Russian word for “divided” “divided”

Mean GirlsMean Girls actually has a wonderful example of this: actually has a wonderful example of this: everyone mispronounces Cady as “Catty,” then shrugs her everyone mispronounces Cady as “Catty,” then shrugs her off when she tries to correct themoff when she tries to correct them

This is appropriate for a girl with some serious identity This is appropriate for a girl with some serious identity issues (no one knows who she really is), and when she issues (no one knows who she really is), and when she begins changing into someone who’s…well, catty…the begins changing into someone who’s…well, catty…the name fits even more effectivelyname fits even more effectively

““Sidd” “artha”Sidd” “artha” We’ll start by looking at the literal We’ll start by looking at the literal

meaning of “Siddhartha”meaning of “Siddhartha” If we’re lucky, it’ll give us some indication of If we’re lucky, it’ll give us some indication of

its symbolic importanceits symbolic importance A quick Wikipedia check (always a A quick Wikipedia check (always a

wonderful and reliable source of academic wonderful and reliable source of academic knowledge) reveals the meanings of knowledge) reveals the meanings of “Sidd” and “artha” in Sanskrit: “Sidd” and “artha” in Sanskrit: A compound of “Sidd” can mean “fulfilled” or A compound of “Sidd” can mean “fulfilled” or

“accomplished”“accomplished” A compound of “artha” can mean “aim” or A compound of “artha” can mean “aim” or

“wealth”“wealth” Smack ‘em together, and you have, um, Smack ‘em together, and you have, um,

“wealth of the fulfilled aim”“wealth of the fulfilled aim” Unscramble it, and you’ll see that…Unscramble it, and you’ll see that…

He Who is VictoriousHe Who is Victorious In other words, those who search correctly In other words, those who search correctly

and patiently (hence “aim”) will and patiently (hence “aim”) will eventually find the object (hence eventually find the object (hence “fulfilled” and “wealth”) of that search – “fulfilled” and “wealth”) of that search – whatever it may bewhatever it may be This automatically begs the question: What’s This automatically begs the question: What’s

at the end of this search?at the end of this search? It also indicates that Siddhartha will eventually It also indicates that Siddhartha will eventually

find what he’s looking forfind what he’s looking for Some more digging reveals that the Some more digging reveals that the

traditional stated meaning of traditional stated meaning of “Siddhartha” has been modified a bit from “Siddhartha” has been modified a bit from our literal mash-upour literal mash-up

It’s now “he who has achieved his aims,” It’s now “he who has achieved his aims,” or “he who is victorious.”or “he who is victorious.”

NamesakesNamesakes If, as “Freakonomics” jokingly suggests, If, as “Freakonomics” jokingly suggests,

naming has some sort of impact on our naming has some sort of impact on our destiny – or if we follow the destiny – or if we follow the Crime and Crime and PunishmentPunishment approach – Siddhartha’s name approach – Siddhartha’s name seems to foreshadow a fortunate futureseems to foreshadow a fortunate future

Is the reason for the name as simple as Is the reason for the name as simple as that?that?

The historical Siddhartha Gautama The historical Siddhartha Gautama founded Buddhism - and the “Gotama” in founded Buddhism - and the “Gotama” in the story is the Buddha himselfthe story is the Buddha himself

Yet “Siddhartha,” not “Gotama,” is the Yet “Siddhartha,” not “Gotama,” is the main character of Hesse’s text – they main character of Hesse’s text – they aren’t the same personaren’t the same person

Rhetorical QuestionsRhetorical Questions Our main character has an incomplete Our main character has an incomplete

identifier – a first name without a lastidentifier – a first name without a last Why bother giving your character half a Why bother giving your character half a

name?name? Heck, why bother naming your character Heck, why bother naming your character

“Siddhartha” if he’s not the Buddha? “Siddhartha” if he’s not the Buddha? Let’s be honest – at the end of the day, Let’s be honest – at the end of the day,

which guy is going to be leading the more which guy is going to be leading the more impressive life? impressive life?

Shouldn’t we be reading about that guy?Shouldn’t we be reading about that guy? Why focus on the nobody?Why focus on the nobody?

Gautama/GotamaGautama/Gotama In order to understand why “Siddhartha” In order to understand why “Siddhartha”

and “Gotama” are separated in the book, and “Gotama” are separated in the book, it’s important to understand first who the it’s important to understand first who the Buddha was, and why he was importantBuddha was, and why he was important

Firstly, Gautama/Gotama is a human Firstly, Gautama/Gotama is a human being, not a superhuman, deity, or being, not a superhuman, deity, or immortalimmortal

The Buddha is not perceived as a god, The Buddha is not perceived as a god, particularly not in a way analogous to particularly not in a way analogous to Christian worship of God and ChristChristian worship of God and Christ

Rather, Gotama is simply someone who Rather, Gotama is simply someone who finds what he set out to look for – a finds what he set out to look for – a greater spiritual truthgreater spiritual truth

The Great EmptinessThe Great Emptiness The idea that an individual could find true The idea that an individual could find true

peace over the course of a normal lifespan peace over the course of a normal lifespan is incredibly inspirational to manyis incredibly inspirational to many

Represents spiritual fulfillment, which Represents spiritual fulfillment, which people can search for over the course of a people can search for over the course of a lifetime – and never find lifetime – and never find

Just look at Mother TeresaJust look at Mother Teresa Jesus has a very special love for you. As Jesus has a very special love for you. As

for me, the silence and the emptiness is for me, the silence and the emptiness is so great that I look and do not see, listen so great that I look and do not see, listen and do not hear.and do not hear.

Mother TeresaMother Teresa Lord, my God, who am I that You should forsake me? The Lord, my God, who am I that You should forsake me? The

Child of your Love — and now become as the most hated Child of your Love — and now become as the most hated one — the one — You have thrown away as unwanted — one — the one — You have thrown away as unwanted — unloved. I call, I cling, I want — and there is no One to unloved. I call, I cling, I want — and there is no One to answer — no One on Whom I can cling — no, No One. — answer — no One on Whom I can cling — no, No One. — Alone ... Where is my Faith — even deep down right in Alone ... Where is my Faith — even deep down right in there is nothing, but emptiness & darkness — My God — there is nothing, but emptiness & darkness — My God — how painful is this unknown pain — I have no Faith — I dare how painful is this unknown pain — I have no Faith — I dare not utter the words & thoughts that crowd in my heart — & not utter the words & thoughts that crowd in my heart — & make me suffer untold agony.make me suffer untold agony.

So many unanswered questions live within me afraid to So many unanswered questions live within me afraid to uncover them — because of the blasphemy — If there be uncover them — because of the blasphemy — If there be God — please forgive me — When I try to raise my thoughts God — please forgive me — When I try to raise my thoughts to Heaven — there is such convicting emptiness that those to Heaven — there is such convicting emptiness that those very thoughts return like sharp knives & hurt my very soul. very thoughts return like sharp knives & hurt my very soul. — I am told God loves me — and yet the reality of darkness — I am told God loves me — and yet the reality of darkness & coldness & emptiness is so great that nothing touches & coldness & emptiness is so great that nothing touches my soul. Did I make a mistake in surrendering blindly to my soul. Did I make a mistake in surrendering blindly to the Call of the Sacred Heart?the Call of the Sacred Heart?

Gotama = CompleteGotama = Complete ““Gotama” has already achieved what Siddhartha Gotama” has already achieved what Siddhartha

seeks – obtained the knowledge and sense of seeks – obtained the knowledge and sense of peace that Siddhartha craves peace that Siddhartha craves Yet Siddhartha rejects the opportunity to learn from himYet Siddhartha rejects the opportunity to learn from him He must discover what he seeks himself in order for it to He must discover what he seeks himself in order for it to

have personal meaning for himhave personal meaning for him In many ways, Siddhartha represents a In many ways, Siddhartha represents a

fundamental contradictionfundamental contradiction He knows everything (in the village), yet he knows He knows everything (in the village), yet he knows

nothingnothing His is a spirit in crisisHis is a spirit in crisis

Siddhartha has no last name – lacks the Siddhartha has no last name – lacks the “Gautama” that history has attached to him – “Gautama” that history has attached to him – because he is an unfinished productbecause he is an unfinished product The implication, then, is that he will someday walk The implication, then, is that he will someday walk

Gautama’s path – but that the day is far awayGautama’s path – but that the day is far away

Now That That’s EstablishedNow That That’s Established We’ve covered two important factors in We’ve covered two important factors in

Hesse’s choice for his main character’s Hesse’s choice for his main character’s namename The meaning of the word’s componentsThe meaning of the word’s components The importance of the “incompleteness”The importance of the “incompleteness”

Yet there is another reason for the name: Yet there is another reason for the name: a parallel that Hesse recognized as he a parallel that Hesse recognized as he wrotewrote

In order to understand that parallel, we In order to understand that parallel, we need to quickly cover some Buddhist need to quickly cover some Buddhist fundamentalsfundamentals

We’ll start with the Three Universal We’ll start with the Three Universal Truths: Truths: aniccaanicca (impermanence), (impermanence), anattaanatta (impersonality, non-self), and (impersonality, non-self), and dukkhadukkha (suffering)(suffering)

Permanence vs. ImpermanencePermanence vs. Impermanence AniccaAnicca seems fairly self-explanatory: everything seems fairly self-explanatory: everything

changeschanges However, the idea of essential transience doesn’t However, the idea of essential transience doesn’t

necessitate throwing out the idea of permanencenecessitate throwing out the idea of permanence It helps to think of the riverIt helps to think of the river The river will flow more slowly in wide, flat areas, The river will flow more slowly in wide, flat areas,

and will flow faster over rapids or downhilland will flow faster over rapids or downhill It gains speed depending on the season and It gains speed depending on the season and

rainfallrainfall In short, it exists in a state of permanent In short, it exists in a state of permanent

development and change, reacting to conditions development and change, reacting to conditions outside of its control – always there, and yet outside of its control – always there, and yet always differentalways different

Sins of the FatherSins of the Father Gotama’s life also proves helpfulGotama’s life also proves helpful At birth, Siddhartha Gautama was At birth, Siddhartha Gautama was

predicted to realize one of two destinies: predicted to realize one of two destinies: he would either become a great king or a he would either become a great king or a spiritual leaderspiritual leader

His father, a king himself, was determined His father, a king himself, was determined to prevent Siddhartha from becoming a to prevent Siddhartha from becoming a religious leader, and shielded him from religious leader, and shielded him from human sufferinghuman suffering

At the age of twenty-nine, Siddhartha At the age of twenty-nine, Siddhartha finally went out into the world, and caught finally went out into the world, and caught his first glimpses of decline, sickness, and his first glimpses of decline, sickness, and deathdeath

This resulted in a profound change in his This resulted in a profound change in his philosophyphilosophy

……and There’s the Paralleland There’s the Parallel Siddhartha walks the same path of the Siddhartha walks the same path of the

Buddha – the path to realization, to Buddha – the path to realization, to awareness of a larger worldawareness of a larger world

By discovering pain outside of his By discovering pain outside of his sheltered world – just as Gotama did – sheltered world – just as Gotama did – Siddhartha will grow more aware of Siddhartha will grow more aware of interconnectedness, of the essential unity interconnectedness, of the essential unity of existenceof existence

This is one of the book’s fundamental This is one of the book’s fundamental ideas: everything changes, everything ideas: everything changes, everything repeats, everything is connectedrepeats, everything is connected

Clearly, the name wasn’t simply meant to Clearly, the name wasn’t simply meant to foreshadow Siddhartha’s fate; it was also foreshadow Siddhartha’s fate; it was also meant to recall his spiritual predecessormeant to recall his spiritual predecessor

That First Founding QuestionThat First Founding Question AnattaAnatta is a slightly more abstract concept is a slightly more abstract concept Just remember that change is constantJust remember that change is constant Because change is constant, we are Because change is constant, we are

therefore subjected to constant changetherefore subjected to constant change As a result, we must always change and As a result, we must always change and

reactreact This eliminates the need for a “core” selfThis eliminates the need for a “core” self Are we who we are, or what we do?Are we who we are, or what we do?

Look Back at the RiverLook Back at the River The river always exists, but does it The river always exists, but does it

always contain the same water?always contain the same water? You can never point to the river and You can never point to the river and

say, “That, there, is the river” – say, “That, there, is the river” – because tomorrow, nothing you because tomorrow, nothing you pointed out will remainpointed out will remain

All that remains is the bank of the All that remains is the bank of the river – the shell surrounding that river – the shell surrounding that which changes, the body that which changes, the body that responds to your name, etc. responds to your name, etc.

A Mime Slaps His FaceA Mime Slaps His Face Dukkha refers to all suffering, major or Dukkha refers to all suffering, major or

minorminor Suffering is constant in life because it Suffering is constant in life because it

arises from our desire for the non-arises from our desire for the non-constantconstant

We desire transient/impermanent things, We desire transient/impermanent things, and wish they could last foreverand wish they could last forever

Others miss something indefinableOthers miss something indefinable ““If we suffer never/We won’t know if we If we suffer never/We won’t know if we

are feeling good.”are feeling good.”The Promise Ring, “Suffer Never”The Promise Ring, “Suffer Never”

The Four Noble TruthsThe Four Noble Truths The Noble Truths provide additional The Noble Truths provide additional

perspective on dukkhaperspective on dukkha 1) Suffering exists1) Suffering exists 2) Suffering has a source – a cause for the 2) Suffering has a source – a cause for the

effecteffect Caused by human desireCaused by human desire

3) Suffering can be eliminated if we 3) Suffering can be eliminated if we overcome our desiresovercome our desires Remember the ascetics?Remember the ascetics?

4)You can eliminate desire by following 4)You can eliminate desire by following the Noble Eightfold Paththe Noble Eightfold Path

……but that lesson will need to wait for but that lesson will need to wait for another day.another day.