This novel serves as an introduction to Buddhist and Hindu philosophy for those far from them, written in a language understandable to ordinary people.

Young Brahman Siddhartha embarks on a search for wisdom, torturing himself with asceticism, learning to starve, learning to venerate devoutly, and now must perceive it as an obstacle on the path to the highest meaning. Siddhartha achieves his goal only after opening up to the spiritual and physical aspects of life and overcoming despair within himself. He learned love from Kamala and learned to trade. He overcomes the ego and relies on selfhood - the psychological support of any religion. The novel is set based on the ancient legend of Gautama Buddha.

The Brahmans knew everything - from the creation of the world, but what good is knowledge if you don't know the most important thing? The Upanishads say: your soul is the whole world. Wonderful wisdom is contained in the words. He wanted to understand his ego, to free himself from it, the mystery that he is the only one. He knows nothing less about any one thing than about himself, about Siddhartha.

In old age, he comes to the thought that he has rolled down, ignorant, with emptiness inside. "You are rolling down," he said to himself and saw the river, carrying water down. His path was winding, passing through so many vices and thresholds, just to become a child again. He fought with his "I", he was full of pride, always inspired, a priest or a sage, and in this inspiration his "ego" was hidden, so he had to go into the world until the priest and the saman died in it. Siddhartha is short-lived, and the manifestations are short-lived. Whoever is able to understand the river will understand the philosophy. The river flows down, but at the same time stands in place, always changing, but always the same. The river is his friend, the river talks to him. The river was an obstacle for people, and a ferryman was needed to overcome this obstacle. But there were several people for whom the river was not an obstacle. Each wave, each drop strives for different goals - a waterfall, a lake, the sea, and each achieves its goal. Steam rises from the water, ascends to the sky, descends as rain to the earth, becomes a source and again flows towards its goals.

A beautiful book with a profound meaning.

(Book 717 from 1001 Books) - Siddhartha. Eine indische Dichtung = Siddhartha, Herman Hesse

Siddhartha is a profound novel penned by Hermann Hesse. It delves deep into the spiritual odyssey of a man named Siddhartha during the era of the Gautama Buddha. The story follows Siddhartha as he embarks on a journey of self-discovery, leaving behind the comforts of his home and family. He ventures into the forest, where he immerses himself in the study of mathematics and meditation, hoping to find the truth and understand the purpose of human existence. However, as he progresses, he realizes that these pursuits are not leading him to the desired destination.

He then hears about a man named Gautama or Buddha, who has achieved the highest level of human perfection. Siddhartha and his friend leave the forest to see this great being. They are amazed by Buddha's appearance, behavior, and way of looking at the world. Siddhartha listens intently to Buddha's teachings but remains skeptical. He believes that truth cannot be attained through learning alone.

After leaving Buddha, Siddhartha embarks on a new phase of his life. He becomes a merchant, experiences love and pleasure, but eventually realizes that these things also do not bring true happiness. He then decides to renounce everything and seek self-annihilation. He throws himself into a river and hears the voice of "Om" or the "Sound of the Word." He falls asleep and wakes up with a newfound strength and a different perspective on life. He now sees everything as beautiful, good, and lovable. He lives by the river, becomes a disciple of an old ferryman, and learns the art of listening to the voice of the river.

One day, his former lover brings their son to him. Siddhartha is happy to have his son, but the boy's rebellious nature disrupts their peaceful life. One day, the son runs away, and Siddhartha decides to follow him. He crosses the river, which smiles at him, and hears the voice and thousand voices of the river. He enters the forest, hoping to become one with the unity and oneness of the world. On the way, he meets his old friend Govinda, who is now old and tired. With a kiss, Siddhartha enlightens him about the unity and oneness of the world.

The story of Siddhartha is a beautiful and inspiring tale of self-discovery, spiritual growth, and the search for truth. It teaches us that the path to enlightenment is not easy and that we must be willing to let go of our attachments and desires to find true happiness and fulfillment.

Perhaps the book "Siddhartha" by Hermann Hesse, a famous German writer, can be seen as the author's understanding of concepts such as going, searching, and attaining peace and truth. It is a spiritual journey through which one can reach self-awareness, knowledge acquisition, and truth.
Siddhartha, the hero of his story, embarks on this journey and conducts himself in a spiritual way. He leaves his father's house to become a shaman, spending many years on arithmetic and strengthening his spirit and mind. But suddenly, he realizes that with arithmetic alone, he cannot reach the truth. His spiritual and mystical journey suddenly turns into a material one. At this stage of his journey, Siddhartha experiences an excess of the beauties and joys of life, but he is still far from his goal. He starts his journey again with a burden until he reaches the river. By listening to the voice of the river, Siddhartha reaches the truth and finds the way of restoration.
With the end of the book, a reader like me may consider the concepts of the book as impractical and a bit poetic. Perhaps the philosophy in question by Mr. Hesse has lost some of its credibility. Perhaps reaching the blue river and listening to its magical sound is a way to reach self-awareness and restoration.
In conclusion, it can be said that Mr. Hesse's emphasis may be on the continuity and fluidity of all things in the world. He sees life as a collection of joys and sorrows, pains and sorrows, illnesses and fears, like a continuous body and like a flowing river. And perhaps only by flowing in this river, according to Hermann Hesse's view, can one reach perfection.

This book opened the door to Buddhism to me.

It was like a magical key that unlocked a whole new world of spiritual exploration.

For that, I will always be grateful.

I can vividly remember the moment when I realized that there was a way to search for truth.

It wasn't a guarantee that I would find it immediately, but it was like having a map that could be followed step by step.

Even though I am still in the process of looking, this book has pointed me in the right direction.

It has given me a sense of purpose and a path to follow on my journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth.

I am truly indebted to this book for its profound impact on my life.

Mythical and poetic, lyrical and rhythmic.

Siddhartha lives as the jewel of his Brahmin family. He is a promising scholar, a curious and reflective young man.

Once, Samanas had travelled through Siddhartha’s town. They were ascetics on a pilgrimage, three skinny, withered men, neither old nor young. Their shoulders were dusty and bloody, and they were almost naked, scorched by the sun. Surrounded by loneliness, they were strangers and enemies to the world, like strangers and lank jackals in the realm of humans. Behind them blew a hot scent of quiet passion, of destructive service, of merciless self-denial.

A visit from these wandering Samanas transforms him and sets his life path. Siddhartha begins his journey, turning through many cycles of existence. He lives several different lives, floating through and absorbing the waters of experience. He realizes that this path of experience, along with his resume-listed core strengths: thinking, fasting, patience, leads him closer to enlightenment. Siddhartha understands that other people cannot teach anything of real value. You are your only teacher, and you must be receptive and willing to learn.

I don't like Herman Hesse for multiple reasons.

One of the reasons is his excessive use of generalizations instead of detailed descriptions of stories. Another reason is his overly poetic writing style. And also because of his simplistic view of religion and philosophy. A very suitable equivalent of him in our own literature is Nader Ebrahimian. A writer who could initially attract me until I was twenty years old, but not after that. After that, it was the era of Dostoyevsky's novels.

Of course, the book also has many good parts. But ultimately, what remains in a person's mind is the overall impression of the book, not just its beautiful parts. One of the beautiful parts of the book is the fall of the seductions. Although it considers itself incorruptible, it gradually gets submerged in the materials and turns into an entity that is also disgusted with itself and wants to escape from this entity as it gets more submerged.

Lately, even before delving into this book, I had been noticing some book opinions along the lines of "I-would-like-this-book-better-at-my-younger-age". In particular, Cecily's review about The Alchemist really struck a chord with me, and I couldn't agree more. I find myself inevitably comparing this book with The Alchemist, although I do believe Siddharta is the superior one. I think that if I had read this ten years ago, I might have been able to appreciate the plot to a greater extent. However, there's a bit of a Catch-22 situation here. Ten years ago, I simply didn't know enough to fully appreciate the Vedic jargons present in the book.

The plot of Siddharta is clearly a journey of spiritual enlightenment. Of course, I have no problem with the Buddhist (and other Vedic in general) philosophies explored in the story. For readers who are interested in the philosophy discussed in this book, there are non-fiction books that can provide a more in-depth and real exploration of these ideas.
But the ending, I have to say, I didn't like it. The majority of the book is spent grappling with philosophy, and then the ending just seems to come out of nowhere. It was such a magical ending that didn't really offer any enlightening experience for the readers. Similar to The Alchemist, it left me with a feeling of being cheated. I could have probably gained more revelation from reading a pulp fiction murder mystery.
PS: I have an opinion. The plot of Siddharta is basically YA fiction. How come publishers have never thought to publish this book as YA fiction with some catchy cover art? :P

Has it ever occurred to you that you find yourself standing alone, confronting a magnificent and breathtaking view? The wind, strong and powerful, assaults your face. You make an effort to remain motionless, eyes closed, and then an involuntary smile spreads across your face? This book was precisely like that.

It was as if the words within its pages were a force of nature, capable of transporting you to a place of solitude and wonder. Just like when you stand before that awe-inspiring scene, the book has the ability to make you feel a range of emotions. It can make your heart race with excitement, or bring a sense of calm and tranquility.

As you turn the pages, you are immersed in a world of vivid descriptions and captivating stories. The author's words paint a picture in your mind, allowing you to experience the beauty and grandeur of the scenes being described. It's like you are right there, standing in the midst of it all, feeling the wind on your face and the sun on your skin.

This book is not just a collection of words; it's an experience. It's a journey that takes you to places you've never been before and makes you feel things you've never felt. It's a reminder that sometimes, the simplest of things can have the most profound impact on our lives.

Once upon a time, there was a enlightened man named Sintarta. He constantly searched for the meaning of life, living an ascetic life in the cosmos as a hermit. He said goodbye many times and took steps forward, always seeking something more. Obviously, there are many parallels with modern life.

Great truths are hidden within simple words, because that's where the great meanings truly lie. By saying goodbye to what no longer suits us and accepting our new selves, many times during our lives... (yes, it may seem selfish, but that's another big topic for discussion...).

"I will live like the air, wow wow wow like the air."

"What is self-focus? What is the abandonment of the body? What is fasting? What does it mean to regulate your breathing? Is it a flight from the Self, a short escape from the pain of existence, a short numbing to not feel the pain and absurdity of life? The same flight, the same short numbing is found by a couple in a hotel, drinking a few glasses of wine... They no longer feel themselves, they no longer feel the pain of life, they are numbed for a while..."

"When one searches, often one's eyes only see the thing one is looking for, one cannot find anything and is not receptive, because one only thinks about that which one is looking for, because one has a goal, and the goal has dominated one. Searching means I have a goal. But finding means: I am free, I am open, I have no goal at all."

"Wisdom cannot be transmitted. The wisdom that a wise man tries to transmit always seems crazy. One can transmit knowledge, but not wisdom. One can find it, live it, rely on it, perform miracles with its help, but one cannot formulate it in words and teach it."

Function. Simply. A journey of seeking the absolute, the great truth from the spiritual to the material world and from the teachers and the wise to our inner voice that ultimately has all the answers.

There are books and there is also the "Sintarta" (assuming it's a specific something).

There are writers and there is also the Essa (again, assuming it's a particular entity).

This simple journey of discovery takes us through different realms. We look for truth not only in the written words of books and the works of writers but also in the mysterious "Sintarta" and the enigmatic Essa. It's a path that leads us from the outer teachings of the wise to the inner recesses of our own being, where our inner voice holds the key to all the answers we seek. As we embark on this journey, we open ourselves up to new possibilities and a deeper understanding of the world and ourselves.

Eh. This simple exclamation can carry a variety of meanings and emotions. It can express surprise, confusion, hesitation, or even a sense of mild annoyance. For example, when someone hears something unexpected, they might say "Eh?" to show their astonishment. Or if they are not sure about something, they might use "Eh" to convey their uncertainty.

In some cultures, "Eh" is a common part of everyday speech and is used frequently in conversations. It can be used to get someone's attention, to seek confirmation, or to express agreement or disagreement. For instance, someone might say "That's a great idea, eh?" to ask for the other person's opinion or to show that they think it's a good idea.

Overall, "Eh" is a versatile and useful word that can add nuance and depth to our communication. Whether we use it to express our emotions, to seek information, or to engage in conversation, it can help us to connect with others and convey our thoughts and feelings more effectively.

When I was editing my high school newspaper, we came up with a popular feature named “Phot-O-pinion”. In this feature, we would pose a question regarding a (sometimes) pressing topic, quote the response of a student or teacher, and take their picture. For one particular issue, at the suggestion of my journalism teacher, I asked the teachers to name a book that had changed their lives. I can't recall all the answers, but without any hesitation, one teacher told me, “Siddhartha, because it showed me a completely different perspective on life.”

A few months later, on the last day of English class, one of my favorite teachers distributed several books to everyone. “You should read these books at least once in your life,” she said. She handed out Confessions of An English Opium-Eater by Thomas DeQuincey, The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass, Civil War Poetry and Prose by Walt Whitman, Beyond Good and Evil by Friedrich Nietzsche, and Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse.

I'm ashamed to admit that I haven't read all of them yet, but I finally got around to picking up Siddhartha, and it ended up transforming my life. I think that if I had read this after graduating from high school, I might have stopped reading after a certain page. I think that if I had read it during some breaks in college, I might have grown tired of some of its overly elaborate philosophical pretensions. But for various reasons, now was the perfect time for me to read it. I don't want to go into details about why it changed my life because the beauty of the book lies in the fact that you can extract whatever you want from it. I wouldn't have learned anything from the book if I were to tell you precisely why it changed my life. I won't be divesting myself of every single material possession I own after reading this book, but I will be thinking differently about what truly matters in life and how to handle (and ultimately transcend/learn from) disappointment, rejection, and anything else that makes life sometimes suck.

A quote from one of my favorite passages:

“At times he heard within him a soft, gentle voice, which reminded him quietly, complained quietly, so that he could hardly hear it. Then he suddenly saw clearly that he was leading a strange life, that he was doing many things that were only a game, that he was quite cheerful and sometimes experienced pleasure, but that real life was flowing past him and did not touch him.”