Hermann Hesse's Siddhartha discusses the life and spiritual journey of Siddhartha, a Brahmin contemporary of Gautama Buddha. Siddhartha's name, a portmanteau of the Sanskrit words meaning "attained" and "that which has been sought," invites comparison with the Buddha himself, who bore the same name when he was a prince. Unsatisfied with his spiritual state as a Brahmin, Siddhartha immersed himself in various other philosophies of life. In his quest for enlightenment, he becomes a Samana, meets Buddha, and attempts a materialistic city lifestyle, but these options all leave him unsatisfied. It is only when Siddhartha begins a simple life by a secluded river that he is spiritually satisfied. Siddhartha is a bildungsroman in its appreciation of the protagonist's spiritual journey toward maturity and enlightenment, and his reunion with Vasudeva shapes the meaning of the work as a whole. The novel discusses Siddhartha's dissatisfaction at different stages of his life. As a Brahmin, he is very popular as his family is wealthy and he is unanimously considered one of the greatest spiritual individuals in the community. Even though this situation suits Siddhartha's ego, he realizes that he has nothing more to learn from the elder Brahmins: But where were the Brahmins, where were the priests, where the sages or penitents, who had managed not only to know what is deepest? all knowledge but also to live it? (Hesse 15) If his goal is continued spiritual growth until enlightenment, it is reasonable for him to want to try other philosophies. He and his best friend Govinda join the Samanas (also known as Sramanas), wandering ascetics living in the forest. The goal of the community of Samana is to overcome the body... middle of paper... of being, with its correlates of existence, time, and space” (Kraft 91). Hermann Hesse's Siddhartha serves as a bildungsroman, following Siddhartha's spiritual journey as he exposes himself to various philosophies in search of ultimate enlightenment. As he develops psychologically and ethically, Siddhartha approaches the point of emotional and spiritual maturity, at which he considers himself fully distinct from his previous self. Siddhartha's reunion with Vasudeva by the river is a pivotal moment that defines the way he will live the rest of his life. It fully defines Siddhartha's Zen philosophy, marks the end of his self-suppression, and begins his abandonment of concrete linear time. Works Cited Hesse, Hermann. Siddhartha. New York: New Directions, 1951. Print. Kraft, Kenneth. Zen, Tradition and Transition. New York: Grove, 1988. Print.