The River Shapes The Buddhist

A detailed Summary of The River Shapes The Buddhist


Siddhartha is on a voyage to one day attain nirvana, the highest state of inner self peace. He has learned that you can only learn what is taught, and know what you've experienced. Along the path he takes, he settles down near a river, and learns many secrets and lesson from the river. The River is symbolic of all life in many ways. The river is the base of the path Siddhartha must take to know Buddha and reach nirvana.

Along his path, Siddhartha finds that the river is much more than just an obstacle, as it appears at first glance. The river is a lesson. Ferryman - "It is a very beautiful river ... I have always learned something from it. One can learn much from a river" (p. 40) The first lesson Siddhartha learns is that "everything comes back" (p. 40) The river exemplifies what Siddh


artha has learned about the world. Just as water from the river evaporates and falls again as rain, flowing everywhere, so too is life itself a recurring cycle of birth and death. This lesson is also demonstrated by Siddhartha's relationship with Kamala. Kamala comes back to him to tell him to news of his child, and then disappears once again.

Siddhartha's path to know what the Buddah knows will eventually bring him to the ultimate peace of mine; nirvana. The lessons taught by the river are valuable because they are experienced lessons, rather than taught lessons. Govinda may never reach nirvana because he never choose his own path, rather than following in anothers. The river brings Siddhartha closer to nature and finally helps him reach nirvana.

The River possesses a strange personality to which Siddhartha must learn to un

Some common words found in the essay are:
Brahman Siddhartha, Siddhartha Buddha, Path Siddhartha, Kamala Kamala, reach nirvana, path siddhartha, om unity, lessons taught, learned learn, secret river, river river, siddhartha learns,

Approximate Word count = 566
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)

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