Siddhartha: A New TranslationOne America’s Favorite Books, PBS’s The Great American Read Nobel Prize–winning author: This classic of 20th-century literature chronicles the spiritual evolution of a man living in India at the time of the Buddha—a tale that has inspired generations of readers Here is a fresh translation of the classic Herman Hesse novel, from Sherab Chödzin Kohn—a gifted translator and longtime student of Buddhism and Eastern philosophy. Kohn invites readers along Siddhartha’s spiritual journey—experiencing his highs and lows, loves and disappointments along the way. We first meet Siddhartha as a privileged brahmin’s son. Handsome, well-loved, and growing increasingly dissatisfied with the life expected of him, he then sets out on his journey, not realizing that he is fulfilling the prophesies proclaimed at his birth. Siddhartha blends in with the world, showing the reader the beauty and intricacies of the mind, nature, and his experiences on the path to enlightenment. Sherab Chödzin Kohn’s flowing, poetic translation conveys the philosophical and spiritual nuances of Hesse’s text, paying special attention to the qualities of meditative experience. Also included is an extensive introduction by Paul W. Morris that discusses the impact Siddhartha has had on American culture. |
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ascetic asceticism asked atman awakened beautiful Kamala became become bird boat bowed brah brahmin brahmin’s son breath Buddha Buddhism child clothes death dhartha dream empty eternal everything Exalted eyes face father fear felt ferry ferryman flowed foolish forest gaze goal Gotama Govinda hair happiness heard heart Hermann Hesse Hesse’s Hinduism holy hunger journey Kamaswami kiss knew laughed learned listened lived longer mana meditation merchant monks mother’s mouth never nirvana novel once one’s pain path perfect pleasure revulsion river sacred samsara seeker seemed servants Shakyamuni shra shramana Shravasti Siddhartha looked Siddhartha remained Siddhartha saw silent sleep smile softly songbird soul spiritual spoke stood sudeva suffering teacher teaching tell Theodore Ziolkowski thing thinking thirst thought took tree unity Upanishad Vasudeva venerable voice wait walking wanderer wise woman words wound young youth