Perhaps this nugget of kindergarten indeed transcends the age at which it is learned.[1]
Upon reading the second part of Siddhartha and the article on Ahimsa, I have realized that in order to achieve this “niceness” I have to learn the sense of spirituality that guides the novel’s protagnist, and all Buddhists and Jains in general. In describing the fundamental practice behind ahimsa, the article reads, “In the regeneration and divinization of man, the first step is to eliminate his beastly nature. The predominant trait in beasts is cruelty” (X224). Reading this, I realized that my desires to belittle, poke fun at, or chastise others are forms of cruelty, however righteous I might view them to be, and at that, are beastly. Taking this farther, it is true that “Man attains peace by injuring no living creature. There is one religion – the religion of love, of peace” (X224). This statement speaks to the universal spirituality that exists in all man. With or without faith or religion, by doing good or nice things, we feel better about ourselves—we are at peace.
However cliche, being at peace with oneself is one of the few attainable ideals in life.[2]
Reading the article further, I began to realize that Ahimsa is something I should strive for. No, this is not my vegetarian coming out party, but there are innumerable opportunities that I miss out on when it comes to practicing non-injury to other humans. The idea is not even far-fetched. Moreover, it is simply an extension of the pledge I made over the break, “It is extremely difficult to control such thoughts from the very beginning without having recourse to control of the body and speech first” (X226). But once the immediate urges of the body are contained, ahimsa can seep through the soul, and I can achieve my goal.
This section of Siddhartha parallels this topic perfectly. Unlike the first section in which Siddhartha seemed to be disconnected himself from the world around him, we now see the compassionate side of him. In fact, once being around Kamala and noticing the power of love, “He was happy, for he felt the need to be among people” (Hesse 50). His desire to feel love shows through in his quest to please Kamala, whom he goes out of his way to please, practicing only fasting, waiting, and thinking. Upon returning from the tasks which Kamala sent him out to do, Siddhartha comments that, “Most people, Kamala, are like a falling leaf that is blown and is turning around through the air, wavering and tumbling to the ground. But others, a few, are like stars: they go on a fixed course, no wind reaches them, and in themselves they have their law and their direction” (Hesse 70). I found this to be particularly applicaple to my promise to myself. Despite having made this pledge, I have found my mind taking advantage of my body and indeed injuring those around me. I am that falling leaf, and in order to practice some form of ahimsa I must become the star, applying the law of non-injury to at least the social part of my life.
I can take Siddhartha’s written words to Kamaswami to heart: “Writing is good, thinking is better. Intelligence is good, but patience is better” (Hesse 63).
Look before you leap: an aphorism for the wise, even Siddhartha.[3]
The article on ahimsa eventually discusses that the virtue as an ideal is unattainable, that “You have to destroy life in order to live” (X227). But as with all religions, compromises are to be made to support the human condition (after all, Jesus did die for us). Even in describing the life of a merchant, “Everyone takes, everyone gives, such is life” (Hesse 62).
Perhaps once my form of western-social-ahimsa succeeds, my problems will lessen, and I will be happier. And one step closer to Nirvana.
[1]http://z.about.com/d/crossstitch/1/7/7/Q/-/-/golden-rule.jpg
[2]http://www.thewip.net/contributors/peace-sign.jpg
[3]http://www.wordsellinc.com/wp-content/uploads/word-sell-cliff-diver.jpg
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