Post #3: Response to Siddhartha Part One

 1. What does Part One seem to suggest the purpose, advantages, and disadvantages of education? 

Part one of "Siddhartha" suggests that education has purpose, advantages, and disadvantages. The purpose of education in Siddhartha Part one is to explain that the best knowledge only be learned through self experiences.  Part One seems to suggests that the education that you seek is important. Siddhartha says " I searched Atman, I searched Brahman, I was willing to to dissect my self and peel off all of its layers, to find the core of all peels in its unknown interior, the Atman, life, the divine part, the ultimate part." The quote explains that the education you seek is important because Siddhartha went to extremes to find the education he sought. A disadvantage in education is that you will always want more,  you'll always have the desire to learn with the amount of education you have, and you will never be satisfied with the amount of education you have. In the book it says "You have re- nounced your home and your parents, renounced your birth and possessions, renounced your free will, renounced all friendship. This is what the teachings require...." This quote explains that Siddhartha isn't yet satisfied with his education so, he isn't ready to be tied down to one teaching.

2. Reflection

Part one is important because it shows that being indicisive is okay because of how many times Siddhartha changed his choice of education. Siddartha was a Brahman for over twenty years when he realized he couldn't reach enligtenment while being a Brahman. He then thought while meditating one day that maybe he could reach enligtenment if he became a Samana. He became a Samana, but as the years passed he realized that he couldn't reach enligtenment while being a Samana either. He then left the Samanas to become seek out the Buddha that has reached enligtenment, to discover how to reach enligtenment. Siddhartha and his childhood friend Govinda went and saw the Buddha. But, Siddhartha didn't accept the Buddha's teachings like his friend Govinda did. Once night had come Govinda talked to Siddhartha about him not accepting the Buddha's teachings and something Govinda said made Siddhartha "Awaken". So, Siddhartha left on his new journey to seek out education in his "Awakening" .Siddhartha had to go through more then one teaching before he "Awakened" and realized he couldn't be taught through other's teachings.