Wisdom and knowledge are often interchangeably used, inevitably leading to some confusion understanding that they are different. Knowledge is something that can be sought and found, but wisdom is more complex. It can only be gained through experiences and the mere act of searching for it makes it more difficult to gain. In the novel Siddhartha by Herman Hesse shows us through Siddhartha that the path to wisdom is long and full of highs and lows, which provides for a more rounded experience and a deeper understanding. Meanwhile, Govinda follows the Buddha for many years, but remains stuck being a follower. Although knowledge is important and improves both Govinda and Siddhartha as people, Govinda’s search for knowledge is less fulfilling that
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As Siddhartha points out, there were all these well educated men who know much and study more, but not any who "were successful not only in having this most profound knowledge, but in experiencing it"(4). The men are taught knowledge to get to enlightenment but never truly experienced it, and that's the same as being given a choice. Govinda chooses to study under the Buddha, who Siddhartha rightly claims has "learned nothing through teachings... [because]...nobody finds salvation through teachings"(26). The Buddha has found enlightenment through his own experiences so Govinda has chosen to follow him, perhaps in the hope of finding a shortcut to enlightenment and wisdom. He may believe that rather than go through his own experiences, he can learn from someone else's, which just is not effective. The second time he reunites with Siddhartha, at the ferry man's house, he senses Siddhartha has gained enlightenment and begs him to teach him. At first, he is frustrated by Siddhartha’s lack of an explanation, but then, when he kisses his friend’s forehead, he understands that he has been approaching the search for knowledge in the wrong way because wisdom can only be found through experience. Although Govinda took the whole book to reach enlightenment and gain wisdom, his part in Siddhartha was to provide the contrast to
As Siddhartha points out, there were all these well educated men who know much and study more, but not any who "were successful not only in having this most profound knowledge, but in experiencing it"(4). The men are taught knowledge to get to enlightenment but never truly experienced it, and that's the same as being given a choice. Govinda chooses to study under the Buddha, who Siddhartha rightly claims has "learned nothing through teachings... [because]...nobody finds salvation through teachings"(26). The Buddha has found enlightenment through his own experiences so Govinda has chosen to follow him, perhaps in the hope of finding a shortcut to enlightenment and wisdom. He may believe that rather than go through his own experiences, he can learn from someone else's, which just is not effective. The second time he reunites with Siddhartha, at the ferry man's house, he senses Siddhartha has gained enlightenment and begs him to teach him. At first, he is frustrated by Siddhartha’s lack of an explanation, but then, when he kisses his friend’s forehead, he understands that he has been approaching the search for knowledge in the wrong way because wisdom can only be found through experience. Although Govinda took the whole book to reach enlightenment and gain wisdom, his part in Siddhartha was to provide the contrast to