Book Overview

The eternal establishment of the whole of human life is its philosophy. It provides a life, the correct way of solving human problems that excite mens minds. Philosophy is infused with the utmost faith in the human intellect, in the power of knowledge, in mans ability to understand all the secrets of the world around him, and to create an order of justice based on reason and love. Indian Philosophy is one of the most primitive metaphysical civilizations of the world. Amongst non-orthodox or heterodox schools of Indian philosophy, Charvaka, Jainism and Buddhism have had greatest impact on the intellectual and cultural evolution of India. In comparison to Jainism, which has largely remained confined to some northern and western parts of India, Buddhism has had a pan-Indian majority for centuries and its subsequent decline in India has been indirectly proportional to its rising fortunes on the international plane. The Buddhism of the Buddha, during the 2500 years of its existence, has survived both as splendor and setback among the aggressive encounters it met with other faiths and philosophies, not only in India, but also in other parts of the world. The Buddha was a practical reformer. So he was basically an ethical teacher, not a metaphysician. Buddhas important contribution is that, the conception that the external phenomenon of life or the living organism is due to an internal impulse of desire, conscious or unconscious. How can there be the ending of suffering? The Buddha answered, suffering must finish if its cause is stopped i.e., misery depends on some conditions. If these conditions are removed, misery would cease. Buddhism is a religion and philosophy indigenous to the Indian subcontinent and encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs, and Practices largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gutama, who is commonly known as the Buddha. Enlightenment can be achieved by various means. According to original Buddha, the eightfold path is the way to Enlightenment. But according to Hermann Hesse, one should follow ones Inner Voice, instead of a readymade doctrine. This is how blissful state of Enlightenment can be achieved and according to Osho, one should first be Zorba to achieve it. Also, one should practice meditation as well as awareness to achieve it. Let us see how? Buddha is the key person in this book and this 4 study deals with Hesses novel Siddhartha that is based on Buddhism with reference to Oshos concept pertaining to Buddha. The book is about Buddha and Buddhism from Hesse as well as Oshos point of view and their concept of Buddha and Enlightenment. Hesse views Buddha from his own perspective and in the same manner Osho also views Buddha from his own point of view. Hesses Buddha may be different from Oshos Buddha. But the idea of achieving blissful state of Enlightenment /Nirvana/ Moksha as enunciated in Buddhism can be achieved through the path explored in Siddhartha and in the idea of Oshos Zorba. The present work is attempt to answer the question that how Hesse and Osho are unique in their perspective? The book is a journey to explore the ways to fulfill Buddhist idea of Nirvana- the ultimate destination of human soul