AGENDA

“A person’s character is revealed by their speech.” ~Greek Proverb17 May

2012

• Siddhartha!• Background Notes• Assignment Calendar/Journal Assignments

• Book Checkout

Siddhartha Background Notes The author Hermann Hesse was born in

Germany on July 2, 1877 Born to parents who were from

missionary families Travelled to India in 1911, and became

fascinated with the story of the Buddha Married 3 times Won the Nobel Prize for Literature in

1946 Died in 1962

Very Brief Buddhism Overview

To do no evil;To cultivate good;To purify one's mind:This is the teaching of the Buddhas.

Buddhism is not a religion-it’s a philosophy.

Buddhists do not “worship” Buddha-they just try to follow his teachings because

they see him as someone who has achieved Nirvana, or “enlightenment.”

The Buddha

The Buddha was born Siddhartha Gautama to a wealthy family in approximately 566 BC.

When he was twenty-nine years old, he left the comforts of his home to seek the meaning of the suffering he saw around him.

The Buddha’s Life, Continued After six years of arduous yogic training, he

abandoned the way of self-mortification and instead sat in mindful meditation where he became “The Buddha.”

The Buddha wandered the plains of northeastern India for 45 years more, teaching the path, or “Dharma.”

In approximately 486 BC, at the age of 80, the Buddha died.

Teachings of Buddhism:The Four Noble Truths

Life is suffering.

Suffering is due to attachment

Attachment can be overcome

There is a path for accomplishing this.

You can’t avoid it, but it’s why we feel “bad”

To material things and relationships, which makes us “want”

It’s called “The Eight-Fold Path”

The Eight-Fold Path

Right view Right aspirations

Right speech Right action Right livelihood

Right effort Right mindfulness Right concentration

Understanding of the Four Noble truths and a true desire to free oneself from the attachments

Abstain from gossip, lying, hurtful behaviors (including those that hurt yourself), and making your living in a way that doesn’t hurt

Focusing on meditation and reflection to support your right views, aspirations, speech, and actions

A Few Characters in Siddhartha

Siddhartha-our protagonist (not to be confused with "The” Siddhartha/Buddha)

Govinda- Siddhartha’s best friend

Gotama-how “The” Buddha is referred to in the book

Things to know

There are some “controversial” sections The spiritual/sensual combines in some spots, and some

imagery can be very suggestive (difference in culture/time period accounts for some of it)

Talk to me if you’re concerned!

There are some reading challenges because of the cultural language/vocabulary/difficult names, etc. Don’t get too hung up on that…you may want to make brief

notes about characters/etc. to help you keep it straight Ask me for help if needed, or check out online resources

All chapters will have study guides posted on the blog. They’re OPTIONAL, but could help you understand what’s going in. They would DEFINITELY help you on the final…hint, hint, hint…

How we’re going to read an awesome book in a short period of timePlease take out your planner or a piece of notebook paper

to record these important due dates! During the practice board speeches, everyone will have 2 days

where you’re rotated out of the classroom (in the hallway) One day for reading One day for group work

Keep up with your reading and journal assignments! This is almost all outside of class time!!

You’ll complete reading journal entries for sections of the book Siddhartha assignment check #1 due (Chapters 1-4 in

reading journal) DUE THURS. MAY 24th

Siddhartha assignment check #2 due (Chapters 5-8 in reading journal) DUE FRI. JUNE 1ST

Siddhartha assignment check #3 due (Chapters 9-12 in reading journal) DUE FRI. JUNE 8TH

Your Assessments for Siddhartha Monday, June 11th, in class

essay/reflection question on book Tuesday, June 12th, multiple choice test

over book (plot, theme, characters, etc.) THIS IS YOUR LAST DAY IN MY CLASS!

SEE YOU AT THE BBQ ON WEDNESDAY!

Book Checkout

When you get your book, please open it to the introduction section titled “Glossary of Indian Terms” and skim over them.

Fill out the book checkout form as it comes around, please!