Hi Everybody,
It is a great way to share mutual thoughts and ideas. LOL when you will read some very funny blogs by some people!Let's enjoy blogging!
Nan
Hi Friends, You must have seen following eight questions posted by Professor Helen on Chapter # 2, The "Samanas" You may refer to the comments and reply the questions. Good Luck Nan
How does Siddhartha act when he is with the Samanas?
2. What is his goal? What happens when he reaches that goal?
3. How does Siddhartha meditate?
4. What frustrates Siddhartha?
5. Complete the quote: “I could have learned more quickly and easily ________________.” Explain this.
6. According to Siddhartha, what can one learn? Explain this.
7. Who is Gotama? What does the author think of him?
8. What does Siddhartha do with the oldest Samana? What does that feat show?
Answer #1 He lived a life just like them. He did not spend too much time paying attention to his body. He ate little and wore minimal clothing. Answer #2 His single goal is to become empty,to let the Self die. When all passions and desires were silent then the innermost of Being must awaken. Answer#3 He practiced self-denial and meditation according to the Samana rules. Answer#4 He lost his Seft a thousand time, the return to Self was inevitable. Answer#5 ...in every in a prostitute's quarter, amongst the carriers and dice players." The Samanas were no more effective in showing him how to abandon himself through a difficult life than the lesson he would have learned through a life of pleasure. Answer#6 Many people have different way to escape from the torment of Self. There are many experiences that enable people to at least temporarily escape from the Self. Answer#7 Gotama is the Illustrious,the Buddha, who conquered in himself the sorrows of the world and had brought to a standstill the cycle of rebirth. The author implies that Gotama has surpassed the Samana. Answer#8 He told the oldest Samana that he wish to live he hypnotized him, conquered his will,commanded him silently to do as he wished. It shows that Siddhartha had learned all he could from the Samanas and that he had surpassed them.
I am interested in question 7 Gotama is buddha, Siddhartha is looking for real happyness and real peace but nobody can do that. just with buddha, he will give Siddhartha to ease sorrow and know what does he need?
The answers of the questions chapter 3&4 of Siddhartha. Chapter 3 1-There is Buddha, Govinda looked attentively at the monk in the yellow cowl.He seemed to be smilling gently inwardly.With the secret smile, noy unlike that of a healthychild,he walked along, peacefully, quietly. 2-Siddhartha did not reply. He was not very curious about teachings. He did not think they would teach him anything new. 4-The Buddha walked away and his look and half-smile remained imprinted on Siddhartha's memory forever. He has robbed me, yet he has given me something of greater value. He was my shadow and is now Gotama's shadow. Chapter 4 1-He reflected deeply, until this feeling completely overwhelmed him and he reached a point where he recognized causes; throught thought alone feelings become knowledge and are not lot , but become real and begin to mature. 2-Siddhartha looked up and around him a smile crept over his face, and a strong feeling of awakening from a long dream spread right through his being.
Hi Yen and Magic, Great to see your blogs on chapter 3 and 4. Hi vu and Kelvin, I am not able to see your answers. Please refer to questions posted by Helen on chapter 3 and 4 and respond to any one you are interested. Then we can discuss either in class or in this Siddhartha's room! C U. Nan
Sreypich Dear Uncle Nan I appreciate the time we worked in the same group. Could you explain to me question number eight? I could not find the answer. 7. What do you suppose a Samana heart is? Siddhartha was not really sure about his future although he learned to adjust his live in new situation by making good impression to people around him. Also, he felt alone because his past reflection still continues to influence him.
Chapter 5 Qn. 8 Why might the portrayal of Kamala be politically incorrect? This question is abstract and a bit challenging one because there is no direct answer to this in the text. One has to analyze Kamala’s character discreetly, and extract her political role. As a courtesan Kamala is supposed to entertain wealthy people without taking personal interest, but as we see her, she is all about playing political role, like advising Siddhartha, providing him inside information of Kamaswami, recommending him for services to Kamaswami through third person, and also teaching the art of love to Siddhartha. There is not much information about how she entertains other wealthy people. So her character fulfils neither a courtesan’s role nor a political role. Actually, I would like Helen to elaborate on this.
Hi Sreypich, Thuthanh, Trang, We have already replied to questions in Chapter 7. Now,Please answer atleast two of the following questions on chapter 8. Good luck. Nan
Chapter 8 – By the River
1. Why does Siddhartha wish to kill himself? 2. What is the tone of this section. is it entirely serious? 3. What sound does he hear? How does he react? 4. How is he different when he wakes up? Who is sitting with him? 5. What does Siddhartha start lecturing his friend about?
Dear Nan Here is my interpreted form chapter eight. I am not sure about question number two because they change so many actions. In my opinion, our life may have the same situation of this novel. 3. What sound does he hear? How does he react? Siddhartha hears a single word Om, which has the meaning of “the perfect one “. At that moment, he awakes and thought that suicide is a folly idea. He recognizes that these thoughts just follow the same childhood path, he had followed before as the Brahman’s son. 4. How is he different when he wakes up? Who is sitting with him? When Siddhartha wakes up, he feels fresh and continues his own way by finding peace of life. He is Govinda, the old friend of his youth. He had left Siddhartha to follow the Illustrious Buddha. Sreypich
Hi Nans, Sreypich, and Trang! This is my answer for two question #1 and 3. I'm not sure my answers are right or not because i have read this chapter only 1 time. I hope your guys can help me if my answers are wrong. Thanks! 1. Why does Siddhartha wish to kill himself? Because there was nothing left in the world that could attract him, that could give him pleasure and solace. 3.What sound does he hear? How does he react? From the past of his tired life, he heard a sound which was one word, one syllable, and had the meaning of "the Perfect One" when the sound of Om reached his ears, his slumbering soul suddenly awakened. Siddhartha was deeply horrified. It was only for a moment, he sank down at the foot of the coconut tree. He laid his head on the tree roots and sank into a deep sleep. Thu Thanh
Dear Nan Here is my common answer from chapter 9. We have been working on this novel so far. Sometimes, I ask myself that if I write the essay about Siddhartha, I’m not sure that what episodes I should write about it. Also, I do not know how to organize it correctly because they have so many episodes. 1. What does Siddhartha learn from the Ferryman? Siddhartha learns from Ferryman how to live simple life without expecting other or desires. Because both men are alike character, they continue the conversation whole night. After that moment, Siddhartha begins to realize the important of life. The river and that past, present, or future are all one. Childhood, adult, and old age are separated by shadows, not by the reality. 2. How are the skills he is learning now important to him for life? Siddhartha learns the skills by looking after the boat, and when there is nothing to do at the ferry, he works in the rice field with Vasudeva, gather wood, and pick fruit from the banana trees. He also learns how to make oars, how to improve the boat, and to weave the baskets. 3. What do people say about Siddhartha and the Ferryman? People say that Siddhartha and Ferryman are wise men, magicians or holy men live at the ferry. Other people are curious, and they think that both old men are very mysterious because they cannot understand what ferrymen have experienced to reach their goal. Often, they laugh each other and say that Siddhartha and Vasudeva are foolish people. 4. How are they becoming alike? Is this a good thing? They both become similar because they love to listen silently to the water, which to them is not just water, but the voice of life, and the voice of being. When the river tell them something good at the same moment, they look at each other, both thinking the same thought, and they happy at the same answer to the same question.
Hi Shreypich, Thanks for your replies to questions on chapter 9. Appreciate your interest, sincerity and efforts to grasp the crux of the novel. Please put your blogs in Blogging, instead of Nan’s Blogs, so we will have all the blogs at one place. As regards your question, if you have to write an essay on Siddhartha, you will have to take into account the whole story and write in brief. You cannot write about one particular episode only. If time permits, I am going to write the synopsis.Thanks. Nan
Hi Nan Here is my common from chapter 11&12 It may be the last time that we communicated each other.
3. What does the river do when Siddhartha goes to see his son? Whose reflection does he see? The river flows softly and gently. It is laughing to Siddhartha. It seems to remind Siddhartha, he had already done the same thing to his father. When he left home, he never thought that how much his father felt pain, and suffers. Now his own son does it to him, he feels pain and sorrow like his father. Suddenly, Siddhartha sees his father face reflected quietly moving in the river. 4. Siddhartha and Vasudeva listen very, very closely to the river. What do they hear? Why is everything interconnected? They hear the voice Om calmly from the river. Because everything moves on toward, everyone has their own purpose. All the goals are reached and each one is succeeded by another. People find themselves in different roles until the end of their lives. 4. What is the symbolism of the stone? The symbolism of the stone is like all kinds of living being. It becomes plant, animal, men, and spirit. 5. How can Nirvana and Samsara be the same? Nirvana and samsara are only the words.
Hi Friends, We are at the fag end of Fall Semester 2010. After this, when or whether we will meet, nobody knows. But memories will remain. There are some pictures taken on last day of the Semester, that will remind us of ESL 302, Fall 2010 semester. Happy Holidays. Nan Email: nan_bijlani@yahoo.com
Hi Friends,
ReplyDeleteYou must have seen following eight questions posted by Professor Helen on Chapter # 2, The "Samanas"
You may refer to the comments and reply the questions. Good Luck
Nan
How does Siddhartha act when he is with the Samanas?
2. What is his goal? What happens when he reaches that goal?
3. How does Siddhartha meditate?
4. What frustrates Siddhartha?
5. Complete the quote: “I could have learned more quickly and easily ________________.” Explain this.
6. According to Siddhartha, what can one learn? Explain this.
7. Who is Gotama? What does the author think of him?
8. What does Siddhartha do with the oldest Samana? What does that feat show?
Answer #1
ReplyDeleteHe lived a life just like them. He did not spend too much time paying attention to his body. He ate little and wore minimal clothing.
Answer #2
His single goal is to become empty,to let the Self die.
When all passions and desires were silent then the innermost of Being must awaken.
Answer#3
He practiced self-denial and meditation according to the Samana rules.
Answer#4
He lost his Seft a thousand time, the return to Self was inevitable.
Answer#5
...in every in a prostitute's quarter, amongst the carriers and dice players."
The Samanas were no more effective in showing him how to abandon himself through a difficult life than the lesson he would have learned through a life of pleasure.
Answer#6
Many people have different way to escape from the torment of Self.
There are many experiences that enable people to at least temporarily escape from the Self.
Answer#7
Gotama is the Illustrious,the Buddha, who conquered in himself the sorrows of the world and had brought to a standstill the cycle of rebirth.
The author implies that Gotama has surpassed the Samana.
Answer#8
He told the oldest Samana that he wish to live he hypnotized him, conquered his will,commanded him silently to do as he wished.
It shows that Siddhartha had learned all he could from the Samanas and that he had surpassed them.
I am interested in question 7
ReplyDeleteGotama is buddha, Siddhartha is looking for real happyness and real peace but nobody can do that. just with buddha, he will give Siddhartha to ease sorrow and know what does he need?
The answers of the questions chapter 3&4 of Siddhartha.
ReplyDeleteChapter 3
1-There is Buddha, Govinda looked attentively at the monk in the yellow cowl.He seemed to be smilling gently inwardly.With the secret smile, noy unlike that of a healthychild,he walked along, peacefully, quietly.
2-Siddhartha did not reply. He was not very curious about teachings. He did not think they would teach him anything new.
4-The Buddha walked away and his look and half-smile remained imprinted on Siddhartha's memory forever. He has robbed me, yet he has given me something of greater value. He was my shadow and is now Gotama's shadow.
Chapter 4
1-He reflected deeply, until this feeling completely overwhelmed him and he reached a point where he recognized causes; throught thought alone feelings become knowledge and are not lot , but become real and begin to mature.
2-Siddhartha looked up and around him a smile crept over his face, and a strong feeling of awakening from a long dream spread right through his being.
Hi Yen and Magic,
ReplyDeleteGreat to see your blogs on chapter 3 and 4.
Hi vu and Kelvin,
I am not able to see your answers.
Please refer to questions posted by Helen on chapter 3 and 4 and respond to any one you are interested. Then we can discuss either in class or in this Siddhartha's room! C U.
Nan
Sreypich
ReplyDeleteDear Uncle Nan
I appreciate the time we worked in the same group.
Could you explain to me question number eight?
I could not find the answer.
7. What do you suppose a Samana heart is?
Siddhartha was not really sure about his future although he learned to adjust his live in new situation by making good impression to people around him. Also, he felt alone because his past reflection still continues to influence him.
Chapter 5 Qn. 8
ReplyDeleteWhy might the portrayal of Kamala be politically incorrect?
This question is abstract and a bit challenging one because there is no direct answer to this in the text. One has to analyze Kamala’s character discreetly, and extract her political role.
As a courtesan Kamala is supposed to entertain wealthy people without taking personal interest, but as we see her, she is all about playing political role, like advising Siddhartha, providing him inside information of Kamaswami, recommending him for services to Kamaswami through third person, and also teaching the art of love to Siddhartha. There is not much information about how she entertains other wealthy people. So her character fulfils neither a courtesan’s role nor a political role.
Actually, I would like Helen to elaborate on this.
Hi Sreypich, Thuthanh, Trang,
ReplyDeleteWe have already replied to questions in Chapter 7. Now,Please answer atleast two of the following questions on chapter 8. Good luck.
Nan
Chapter 8 – By the River
1. Why does Siddhartha wish to kill himself?
2. What is the tone of this section. is it entirely serious?
3. What sound does he hear? How does he react?
4. How is he different when he wakes up? Who is sitting with him?
5. What does Siddhartha start lecturing his friend about?
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi Sreypich, Thuthanh, Trang,
ReplyDeleteYou may reply either on Nan's Blogs or Blogging but let us stick to Blogging. Thanks.
Nan
Dear Nan
ReplyDeleteHere is my interpreted form chapter eight.
I am not sure about question number two because they change so many actions.
In my opinion, our life may have the same situation of this novel.
3. What sound does he hear? How does he react?
Siddhartha hears a single word Om, which has the meaning of “the perfect one “.
At that moment, he awakes and thought that suicide is a folly idea.
He recognizes that these thoughts just follow the same childhood path, he had followed before as the Brahman’s son.
4. How is he different when he wakes up? Who is sitting with him?
When Siddhartha wakes up, he feels fresh and continues his own way by finding peace of life.
He is Govinda, the old friend of his youth. He had left Siddhartha to follow the Illustrious Buddha.
Sreypich
Hi Nans, Sreypich, and Trang!
ReplyDeleteThis is my answer for two question #1 and 3. I'm not sure my answers are right or not because i have read this chapter only 1 time. I hope your guys can help me if my answers are wrong. Thanks!
1. Why does Siddhartha wish to kill himself?
Because there was nothing left in the world that could attract him, that could give him pleasure and solace.
3.What sound does he hear? How does he react?
From the past of his tired life, he heard a sound which was one word, one syllable, and had the meaning of "the Perfect One"
when the sound of Om reached his ears, his slumbering soul suddenly awakened. Siddhartha was deeply horrified. It was only for a moment, he sank down at the foot of the coconut tree. He laid his head on the tree roots and sank into a deep sleep.
Thu Thanh
Dear Nan
ReplyDeleteHere is my common answer from chapter 9.
We have been working on this novel so far. Sometimes, I ask myself that if I write the essay about Siddhartha, I’m not sure that what episodes I should write about it. Also, I do not know how to organize it correctly because they have so many episodes.
1. What does Siddhartha learn from the Ferryman?
Siddhartha learns from Ferryman how to live simple life without expecting other or desires. Because both men are alike character, they continue the conversation whole night. After that moment, Siddhartha begins to realize the important of life. The river and that past, present, or future are all one. Childhood, adult, and old age are separated by shadows, not by the reality.
2. How are the skills he is learning now important to him for life?
Siddhartha learns the skills by looking after the boat, and when there is nothing to do at the ferry, he works in the rice field with Vasudeva, gather wood, and pick fruit from the banana trees. He also learns how to make oars, how to improve the boat, and to weave the baskets.
3. What do people say about Siddhartha and the Ferryman?
People say that Siddhartha and Ferryman are wise men, magicians or holy men live at the ferry. Other people are curious, and they think that both old men are very mysterious because they cannot understand what ferrymen have experienced to reach their goal. Often, they laugh each other and say that Siddhartha and Vasudeva are foolish people.
4. How are they becoming alike? Is this a good thing?
They both become similar because they love to listen silently to the water, which to them is not just water, but the voice of life, and the voice of being. When the river tell them something good at the same moment, they look at each other, both thinking the same thought, and they happy at the same answer to the same question.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi Shreypich,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your replies to questions on chapter 9. Appreciate your interest, sincerity and efforts to grasp the crux of the novel. Please put your blogs in Blogging, instead of Nan’s Blogs, so we will have all the blogs at one place.
As regards your question, if you have to write an essay on Siddhartha, you will have to take into account the whole story and write in brief. You cannot write about one particular episode only. If time permits, I am going to write the synopsis.Thanks.
Nan
Hi Nan
ReplyDeleteHere is my common from chapter 11&12
It may be the last time that we communicated each other.
3. What does the river do when Siddhartha goes to see his son? Whose reflection does he see?
The river flows softly and gently. It is laughing to Siddhartha. It seems to remind Siddhartha, he had already done the same thing to his father. When he left home, he never thought that how much his father felt pain, and suffers. Now his own son does it to him, he feels pain and sorrow like his father. Suddenly, Siddhartha sees his father face reflected quietly moving in the river.
4. Siddhartha and Vasudeva listen very, very closely to the river. What do they hear? Why is everything interconnected?
They hear the voice Om calmly from the river. Because everything moves on toward, everyone has their own purpose. All the goals are reached and each one is succeeded by another. People find themselves in different roles until the end of their lives.
4. What is the symbolism of the stone?
The symbolism of the stone is like all kinds of living being. It becomes plant, animal, men, and spirit.
5. How can Nirvana and Samsara be the same?
Nirvana and samsara are only the words.
Hi Friends,
ReplyDeleteWe are at the fag end of Fall Semester 2010.
After this, when or whether we will meet, nobody knows.
But memories will remain. There are some pictures taken on last day of the Semester, that will remind us of ESL 302, Fall 2010 semester.
Happy Holidays.
Nan
Email: nan_bijlani@yahoo.com