Hinduism In Hermann Hesse's Siddhartha

Hinduism is mainly about understanding the Brahman which is ones permanent reality, or existence within ones Atman, which is ones permanent self. In Buddhism, it is about finding the Atman and not ones soul. In Hinduism, in order for one to reach the highest peak, one has to go through a process that involves removing ones distractions from life, which will lead to the understanding of the Brahman. As for in Hinduism one follows a strict life with regulations, that eventually moves to the understanding that nothing in ourselves is considered a “me” just an illusion of existence. I believe Buddhism makes us happier as human beings, but that Hinduism makes us better human beings. I will prove this by analyzing the journey of

He begins to study the Hindu wisdom of his elders with his best friend, Govinda, but through this acquiring knowledge phase he begins to question the things he is learning. He believes that his fathers and ancestors learned everything they needed by reading the holy books, but he does not believe they have found enlightenment by reading them. After this Siddhartha makes a decision to go out into the world to seek answers to all his questions, by first joining a group of Samanas. However, being part of this group is the complete opposite of what Siddhartha is use to. They believe enlightenment can be reached through asceticism, which is a rejection of the body and physical desire. Hermann Hesse states, “Siddhartha learned a great deal from the Samanas; he learned many ways of losing the Self. He traveled along the path of self-denial through pain, through voluntary suffering and conquering of pain, through hunger, thirst and fatigue.” (15). This shows his attempt to find enlightenment, by ignoring his

Karma is the universal laws of ethics. Such as ones actions will derive into good. These individuals would go through life doing the right thing and being afraid of taking evil, negative actions. This is where I would place myself in life. Hinduism consist of a religious practice known as yoga. There are four different type of yogas: Jhona Yoga, which more of reflection practice, Bhakti Yoga, which is the emotional and desire practice, Karma, which involves the energetic and active practice, and Raja Yoga which is more of a experimental practice. A better human being has to be happy themselves, and comfortable with their life in order to be able to help others. These individuals take an extra step in life in order to do good. A better human being does not only think about himself or herself, but about others as well. They think about the reality in life, and how everyone should be able to reach