Siddhartha

The Young Brahmin

Jan 1, 600

Siddhartha, a young Brahmin, has already learned much from the Hindu scriptures read by his elders. He finds himself dissastisfied however, he believes that the way to enlightenment does not lie in the path his father took.

Longing For Something More

Jan 2, 600

Siddhartha realizing he will never find the truth he is looking for whilst studing the way of the Brahmin's decides he will join a group of wandering monks called Samana's. The Samana's are almost the complete opposite of the Brahmins. They are half clothed, dirty and beg for food. Siddhartha asks his father for premission to join them, and he reluctantly gives it to him. In the morning when Siddhartha goes to leave his village, he is glad because he is joined by his best friend Govinda

Amongst the Samanas

Jan 3, 603

Siddhartha and Govinda quickly adopt the ways of the Samanas. The Samana's believe that once you purge yourself of your physical self, you will truly be enlightened. Siddhartha reasons that once he has destroyed all of his impulses his innermost being will awaken. While Siddhartha attains some spiritual advancement, he relizes that the way the Samanas live is not the way to enlightenment. Once again he and Govinda leave, this time in search of Gotama the Buddah.

Gotama

Jan 4, 603

Siddhartha notices a flaw in Govinda's teachings. How can one embrace the unity of all things, if they are to embrace the physical world. He meets with Gotama who has achieved Nirvana, and discovers he did it on his own without a teacher. Siddhartha convinced that Gotama's way of life is not right for him, leaves him and Govinda behind to find Nirvana another way.

All Alone

Jan 5, 603

Siddhartha realizes that he is alone for the first time in his life. He also realizes that the path to enlightenment does not follow that of a teacher but must come from inside one's self. Siddhartha wants to return home but understands home is part of the past and he cannot go back.

The Physical World

Jan 6, 603

For the first time Siddhartha feels like he is truly expriencing the physical world and while doing so wanders aimlessly for a time. He spends his first night on his new path in the hut belonging to a ferryman. In the morning he asks him to take him across the river and regrets that he cannot pay him. The ferryman foreshadows that one day Siddhartha will return and give the ferryman a gift. Once across the river Siddhartha enters a city and meets a beautiful courtesan named Kamala.

Siddhartha the Merchant

Jan 7, 623

Siddhartha wishes to be taught about love by Kamala, however she refuses to teach him until he can bring her gifts. She introduces him to a merchant named Kamaswami, who takes Siddhartha on as a protege. While Siddhartha and Kamala court for a while they realize they are not in love. After a time Siddhartha falls for the physical world and loses his quest for enlightenment. Siddhartha relizes this and distraught by it, leaves the city. Kamala is preganant with his child at this point.

The River

Jan 8, 623

Siddhartha feels like he is useless and contemplates suicide by drowning himself in the river, but then the word Om reverberates through him. So instead he sleeps, and when he awakes he begins to understand that he never found what he sought before because he wanted it too much. He feels a strong affection for the river he is near and promises never to leave it again.

All of The Voices Say Om

Jan 9, 623

Siddhartha working for the ferryman Vasudeva, begins to learn the secret of the river. He hears the many voices of the river and when heard all at once they say Om. The river teaches him that time does not exist. News that the Buddha is dying sweeps the land, and Kamala and Siddhartha's son are journeying to see him, when Kamala is killed by a snake. Siddhartha not knowing this boy was his son until then feels blessed.

The Bad Seed

Jan 10, 623

Siddhartha's son is spoiled and hates life by the river. Vasudeva attempts to tell Siddhartha that he should let his son go, but Siddhartha refuses. Siddhartha believes that his son will be driven on search for enlightenment like he was. One night his son leaves and Siddhartha chases him, but eventually gives up and realizes that if his son is going to take a spiritual journey, he must do it on his own.

The Enlightened Vasudeva

Jan 11, 623

Siddhartha feels a great pain for the loss of his son, but the river consoles him and teaches him that you cannot prevent sorrow. Siddhartha tells what he has learned to Vasudeva. Looking at Vasudeva now, Siddhartha realizes he is just as enlightened as Gotama was, and looks at him as thought he is a god. Vasudeva takes Siddhartha to the river and Siddhartha finally attains his enlightenment. Vasudeva leaves quietly into the forest.

Govinda

Jan 12, 630

Govinda still seeking enlightenment comes looking for the wise man he heard lives by the river, He does not recognize Siddhartha, ans asks him to teach him his ways. Siddhartha tells him that there is no way one can teach enlightenment. Instead he tells Govinda to kiss him on the forehead, once he does this he sees the timeless flow that Siddhartha had years before, The two had finally reached enlightenment.