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#Written by David Tam, 1994-1995. #
#davidkftam@netscape.net Copyright 1999#
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Siddhartha - Plot Synopsis
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The story took place in India during the time of Buddha. In the village of
the Brahmans there was a young, handsome, and wise boy named Siddhartha.
Unable to quench his thirst for truth, knowledge, and wisdom he and his close
friend, Govinda, left the village to join the Samanas, a group of ascetics,
holy men. For three years Siddhartha and Govinda lived the life of the
Samanas, by having no possessions, living in the forests, begging for food,
fasting, meditating, and practicing self-denial. They wanted to be empty of
thirst, dreams, pleasure, and sorrow. They tried to let the "Self" within them
die and to finally reach Nirvana. Without satisfaction, they moved on and
followed Gotama, the Illustrious One, Buddha. After hearing the preachings of
Gotama, Siddhartha was again unsatisfied in his search for truth. He decided
to leave but Govinda stayed behind. After his departure he suddenly became
aware of the immediate, physical world. His deadened senses had awakened. He
discovered that the "Self" lived in both worlds, the physical and the ascetic,
pure world.
On his journey, he crossed a river with the help of a ferryman and arrived
at a town where he fell in love with Kamala, a beautiful courtesan. Following
her recommendation, Siddhartha met a wealthy merchant named Kamaswami.
Siddhartha learned to become a merchant and worked for Kamaswami. For years,
he lived in the physical world but he grew sick and tired of it. He fled this
life and returned to the river he had once crossed. There, he attempted to
commit suicide but was enlightened by the holy "Om". Consequently, he did not
drown himself in the river, but fell into a deep sleep, a restoration period.
When he woke up he found Govinda, his friend, the monk, watching over him.
After a brief conversation, Govinda departed to join with the rest of Buddha's
followers.
Siddhartha was attracted to the river and decided to remain by it. He
revisited the ferryman, Vasudeva, who once took him across the river. He lived
the life of a ferryman and learned many secrets from the river. He was finally
content in his pursuit for truth, knowledge, and wisdom. He had learned to
love the world for the way it was. On a pilgrimage to visit Gotama, Kamala
stumbled across Siddhartha. With her was Siddhartha's son. Unfortunately,
Kamala was bitten earlier by a poisonous snake and died in the hands of
Siddhartha. He was left with the task of taking care of his young son. Like
Siddhartha himself, his son left the river and headed back to the town. More
years passed and Siddhartha learned many more secrets from the river. Vasudeva
was enlightened and fled the river to learn from the forest. In the last
chapter, Govinda revisited Siddhartha again and before he departed, with the
help of Siddhartha, he was enlightened. At last, they had both found what they
were looking for. They had both gained wisdom.
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