Free Siddhartha Essays: Finding the Truth :: Hesse Siddhartha Essays

conclusion Truth in Siddhartha   In Hermann Hesses Siddhartha, a classic novel near enlightenment, the main character, Siddhartha, goes on a keeplong journey of self-discovery. Along the way, Siddhartha encounters many an(prenominal) another(prenominal) who try to teach him enlightenment, undoubtedly the most important being the Buddha himself. Although Siddhartha rejects the Buddhas teachings, utter that wisdom cannot be taught, we can see, nevertheless, that along his journey for understanding Siddhartha encounters the foursome Noble Truths that are a central theme in Buddhism excruciation, the bring forth of suffering, the end of suffering, and the middle path.   The First Noble Truth is The Truth of Suffering. If mint examine their own experiences, or look at the world slightly them, they will see that emotional state is full of suffering. In the novel, Siddhartha experiences the two forms of suffering - physical and mental. Physical suffering can come in ma ny forms - disease, ageing, injury. Siddhartha experiences physical suffering as a young man when he joins the ascetics or Samanas. As a Samana, Siddhartha learns to fast, to tolerate extreme heat and cold, and to delay pain through meditation. Siddharthas life as a samana is bitter, and he learns that life is pain (p.11).   Siddhartha experiences mental pain in the second half of his life when he begins a contrasting existence of pleasure, and then again when he meets his only son.   After leaving the Samanas, Siddhartha begins a life of decadence in the house of a wealthy merchandiser and in the company of a beautiful courtesan. Though at first Siddhartha remains apart from their perfunctory troubles, as the years go by Siddhartha himself begins to value money, fine wine, and cloth possessions. Be suffice of this a thin mist, a weariness settles on Siddhartha, (p. 63) and he is engulfed in mental pain. Later, after ridding himself of the pain of the life of a wealthy merchant by becoming a simple ferryman, Siddhartha again experiences mental injure when he meets his son. Siddhartha immediately falls in love with his arrogant 11-year-old son, whom he has never seen before. But the son despises his father and his simple life, and after a short time runs away. Siddhartha becomes restless and worried, again experiencing great mental anguish.   As he goes along his journey, Siddhartha realizes The Second Noble Truth - that the direct cause of suffering is desire.