Siddhartha and trinnity

             In the book, Siddhartha, Herman Hesse uses a trinity theme throughout the book. Hesse also takes that theme further by making the story into a thesis, followed by an antithesis and concluded with a synthesis. Siddhartha's journey to enlightenment is divided in such a way. His life begins with the path of the mind, followed by the opposite, indulgence in physical pleasures, and finally a synthesis of the two is where he finds his enlightenment.
             Siddhartha begins his life under the teachings of his father and fellow Brahmins. He soon "feels the seeds of discontent within him." Everything about their lifestyle is about filling the mind. They spend hours studying the ways of their religion and how to attain peace, but none of them ever do. "The Brahmins and their holy books knew everything-the creation of the world, the origin of speech, food, inhalation, exhalation, the arrangement of the senses, the acts of the gods." Siddhartha finally asks himself "What was it worth to know all these important things if they did not know the one important thing, the only important thing?" Hesse also incorporates a chant into the story, "Om is the bow, the arrow is the soul, Brahman is the arrow's goal At which one aims unflinchingly." This chant demonstrates the reliance on doctrines and various academic teachings that the Brahmins put so much emphasis on. It also suggests a certain linearity of the path to enlightenment. Siddhartha learns later that the search is anything but linear.
             Dissatisfied with his current life, Siddhartha goes to join the Samanas, a group of wandering ascetics. He learns many new things, like to fast, wait and think. He soon realizes that this is still just a game within his mind. "He lost his Self a thousand times and for days on end he dwelt in non being. But although the paths took him away from the Self, they always took him
             ...

More Essays:

APA     MLA     Chicago
Siddhartha and trinnity. (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 16:11, July 01, 2025, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/73669.html