Siddhartha Part I

Siddhartha: Part 1

Chapter 1: “The Brahmin’s Son”

1. In your notebook, start a page entitled “Siddhartha Bubble Map.” Write at least 3 adjectives that describe Siddhartha in chapter 1 and support those adjectives with how you know this in the frame of the bubble map.

2. Why does Siddhartha leave his father?


Chapter 2: “With the Samanas”

3. What happens during Siddhartha’s stay with the Samanas? Why does he leave?


4. Contrast the circle and the spiral as discussed on the top of page 18.


5. What are Siddhartha’s goals? Do they change over the course of the first two chapters?



Chapter 3: “Gotama”

6. Why does the Buddha tell Siddhartha to “be on your guard against too much cleverness” on p. 35?


Chapter 4: “The Awakening”

7. What does Siddhartha mean by the quote “I will learn from myself the secret of Siddhartha” on p. 39?


8. Add more adjectives to the bubble map of Siddhartha in your notebook and in the frame record direct quotations that prove your points.

Siddhartha Vocabulary

English 10 students, click on comments for this post and write the information for your assigned vocabulary word. Complete information for 4-Square vocabulary includes 1) a dictionary definition, 2) a symbol or image that represents your word, 3) two synonyms that you think that your classmates will understand, and 4) the word used in an original sentence that shows complete understanding of the word.

NOTE: If you know how to post an image with your comment, great. If not, simply describe the image.

Once all of the entries are made this weekend, students may wish to copy and paste the complete definition information into a Word document and print that to glue in their notebooks. Students may even want to print a second copy of the vocabulary to make flash cards to study for the test on Monday, October 13.

Siddhartha Vocabulary by Chapter

“The Brahmin’s Son”
Hindu Ablutions (p. 3)

“With the Samanas”
Onerous (p. 16) cycle of samsara,

“Gotama”
Siddhartha as Samana (p. 26)
The Illustrious One’s exalted (p. 32) teachings,

“Awakening”
Siddhartha seeks Atman (p. 38)
Siddhartha’s years of asceticism (p. 40)

“Kamala”
Siddhartha’s thoughts and erudition (p. 47)
Kamala, the well-known courtesan (p. 52)

“Amongst the People”
Siddhartha surpasses Kamaswami’s equanimity (p. 67)

“Samsara”
Knowledge engendered (p. 83) a new thirst in Siddhartha.

“By the River”
Siddhartha is full of ennui (p. 87).
Siddhartha reflects back on expiation (p. 96) of his youth.

“Ferryman”
Kamala’s pallid (p. 113) face
The funeral pyre (p. 115)

“The Son”
Siddhartha fears his son will be lost in samsara (p. 120)
Exhortation (p. 121) is no way to find oneself.

“Om”
The river voices were entwined (p. 135) in a thousand ways.
The river voices consisted of one word: om (p. 136).

“Govinda”
Govinda, the venerable (p. 140) one
Is Nirvana only intrinsic (p. 147)?