The Brahmin’s Son
Briefly describe Siddhartha.
Siddhartha is a good-looking, well-loved young man who has grown into the religious group of India,. He is full of knowledge, able to master the art of meditation. 2.
For what two things does Govinda, his best friend, admire him? Govinda admires his eyes and sweet voice as well as his grace movements and thoughts. Govinda truly admires his friend, hoping to follow in Siddhartha’s footsteps. 3.
What does he fear if he stays at home and continues in his father’s religion? He hears that he will not find happiness within himself nor find spiritual peace. He believes that not even the love of his parents and best-friend Govinda is enough to suffice him. 4.
Why does he fear that he will not find it in prescribed religious teachings? He fears that the prescribed religious teachings have already offered him enough, knowledge itself. His religion only teaches of wisdom and meditation but not of self-happiness. 5.
How does his father show both patience and wisdom in dealing with his son? At first, Siddhartha’s father shows dissatisfaction and displeasure with his son’s desire to become a Samana. Despite his objection, Siddhartha waits in his room for his father’s approval. His father, although disagreeing, allows his son to leave. His patience and wisdom is tested by his son but even the father understands that his son is a grown man, capable of making wise decisions. With the Samanas
Describe the Samanas that Govinda and Siddhartha meet close to the end of Chapter 1. The Samanas are warriors who practice self-denial, the loss of need and desire, in order to live a perfect life. They teach Siddhartha about their exercises to extinguish thyself and give birth a new self, one who is connected to everything, nature and animals. 2.
List at least five things Siddhartha learns to do while he is with the Samanas. Siddhartha learns to slow down his breathing, so that in turn, his heart beat can become slower. He does this so that he can empty his heart out of thirst, want, pleasure, and sadness. He learns to let his self die out so that he can bring his utmost self out of emptiness. However, he then realizes that this is not enough to find true happiness. 3.
After he has practiced self-denial for some time, what disappointment does he experience? Siddhartha feels that himself and Govinda have not reach spiritual peace and that they are going around in circles on their quest to find it. 4.
List four things that Siddhartha and Govinda learn about the Gotama Buddha. They hear rumors about a man named Buddha who has set out to a journey. They learn that he overcame the sufferings of the world, remember his past lives, attained nirvana, performed miracles, vanquished the devil, and spoken with the gods (18-19). Gotama
How do the monks discipline themselves with regard to food and right thinking? The monks go alms begging, which is a traditional Indian exercise to acquire money to buy food. The monks regularly do in order to get their afternoon meal. They patiently sit under trees, awaiting for Buddha’s preaching. 2.
Gotama Buddha is the full name of the founder of Buddhism, a man who is believed to have found the way of peace. Describe him as Siddhartha saw him. Siddhartha truly admires Gautama. He sees Gautama as a man of doctrine, seeing that every limb of Gautama held doctrine, even his fingertips. Even Siddhartha wonders why he loves this man more than any other man. 3.
Look up Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path and list the points for each term. Eightfold Path: ending desire 1) right views 2) right thoughts 3) right speech 4) right conduct 5) right livelihood 6) right effort 7) right mindfulness 8) right meditation. Four Noble Truths: 1) all life is suffering 2) suffering leads to desire 3) an end to desire brings an end to suffering 4) the path to ending desire is eightfold 4.
What things does Govinda renounce by choosing to become a Buddhist monk? Govinda renounces his...
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