On September 15, the Buddha Reads book club gathered to explore Hermann Hesse’s classic novel, Siddhartha. This profound tale chronicles the spiritual journey of a young man named Siddhartha during the era of Gautama Buddha. Born into a Brahmin family, Siddhartha feels an intense dissatisfaction with the conventional religious teachings surrounding him. Driven by a quest for deeper meaning, he embarks on a journey with his friend Govinda, leaving behind the comforts of home in search of enlightenment.
Their initial path leads them to the Samanas, a group of ascetics who advocate self-denial and renunciation as routes to enlightenment. However, Siddhartha soon grows disenchanted with their extreme practices. Although he encounters the historical Buddha, he concludes that enlightenment cannot be imparted through teachings alone—it must be experienced on a personal level. Through various life experiences, Siddhartha ultimately attains the spiritual awakening he seeks, discovering that true wisdom arises from living, rather than adhering to external philosophies.
Despite the book’s esteemed status as a classic and its inclusion in many educational curricula, our group had mixed feelings about it. Gary shared, “I gained more from it this time, likely due to my deeper understanding of the Buddhist concepts presented.” Yet, he expressed difficulty grasping Siddhartha’s extreme choices, adding, “I enjoyed reading it, but I wouldn’t recommend it for casual reading.”
Bob felt disappointed, noting the confusion caused by both the main character and the historical Buddha sharing the same name. Joan appreciated certain aspects, suggesting the book conveys that the journey to enlightenment requires a diverse range of life experiences, both positive and negative.
In summary, the group collectively decided against recommending Siddhartha for casual reading.
Looking ahead, our next meeting is scheduled for October 27, where we will discuss Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson. This novel, set in the post-World War II era of the 1950s, follows JapaneseAmerican Kabuo Miyamoto, who stands trial for the murder of a local fisherman, Carl Heine. Set against the backdrop of a small Pacific Northwest community, the story delves into the lingering tensions of war and the racial prejudices faced by Japanese-Americans. Additionally, we will be voting for our next book selection. Danny will send out ballots and a list of candidate titles prior to our upcoming meeting. We look forward to seeing everyone then!