005. KAMALA

Summary

• Siddhartha and his friend Govinda decided to join a group of ascetics known as the Samanas. Siddhartha gave away his possessions and began to live a life of extreme self-denial.
• Siddhartha's ultimate goal became to empty himself of all desires and emotions, to become completely selfless and open to miracles. He subjected himself to intense physical suffering to achieve this state.
• The oldest of the Samanas taught Siddhartha different ways of self-denial and meditation, including mentally transforming himself into other forms, such as animals or elements.
• Siddhartha then began to doubt the effectiveness of the Samanas' methods, believing that they all eventually lead back to the self, which he was trying to escape. He voiced these concerns to Govinda, who remained confident in their path.
• The pair began to hear rumors about a man named Gotama, also known as the Buddha, who supposedly overcame suffering and achieved enlightenment. Skepticism and disbelief surrounded this man, yet some people believed in his teachings and miracles.
• Both Siddhartha and Govinda became intrigued by the Buddha and considered meeting him to hear his teachings. However, Siddhartha's faith in learning from teachers was dwindling. He believed that the only real knowledge was within oneself.
• Despite Govinda's shock at Siddhartha's blasphemy, Siddhartha decided they should leave the Samanas and try to learn from the Buddha. He used his learned powers of persuasion to convince the head Samana to let them leave, much to Govinda's astonishment.
• Siddhartha showed a decisive departure from the Samanas' beliefs and methods, saying he does not want to learn to walk on water or perform similar feats but presumably seek something more transcendental.