SIDDHARTHA
Tomorrow’s test consists of eight questions of which you should answer at least five. By that I mean that I will count only your best five answers. It might be to your advantage to answer all of the questions and let me pick the best five.
Please type your answers, or write them on a separate piece of paper. I will not be counting grammar and spelling AS LONG AS THEY DO NOT INTERFERE WITH COMPREHENTION.
Here is an example of the type of question you will see and the types of answers I expect:
What motivates Siddhartha?
Possible answer:
Initially, Siddhartha is motivated by the search for enlightenment as it is described by his father and culture. After he breaks with his father, he begins to modify the idea based on his increasing age and experience level. For example, after breaking with the Samanas, he realizes that no teacher can help him achieve the Atman because it resides within him and is a personal experience. After that, his motivation is to look within. Siddhartha is also motivated by the people around him. Govinda, his father, Siddhartha, Jr., Kamala, and Vasudeva are all very important to him, and they do exert an influence. For example, his son causes him to look upon his father very differently than he did earlier in his life.
You should be ready to discuss the following ideas:
- major life changes that Siddhartha makes
- people who influenced or were influenced by Siddhartha
- the practical side of thinking, waiting, and fasting
- Siddhartha’s success at the end of his life (does he find what he sought?)
- Siddhartha’s ideas in relation to your own life
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