A Question Around Wisdom

[Conor]

One of the thoughts that Siddhartha reveals to Govinda is that "'Wisdom cannot be communicated'" (124). To Govinda, this seems a joke but Siddhartha explains to him that wisdom is not taught but is achieved. Knowledge, on the other hand, can be thought to another as Siddhartha explains. Siddhartha further explains that with wisdom "'we can find it, we can live it, we can be carried by it, we can work wonders with it, but we cannot utter it or teach it'" (124). For Govinda, he does not reach the enlightenment that Siddhartha has reached until he kisses Siddhartha's forehead. Upon doing this, Govinda is granted the same understanding of life that Siddhartha has reached. If Siddhartha and Govinda are able to reach a point where they share a connected level of enlightenment then does this mean that there is only one true form of wisdom or is wisdom based on an individuals perception of the knowledge that they have obtained through their own self trials?

[Luke]

No, I understand that there are multiple forms of wisdom, and due to the nature of gaining it, it cannot be imparted. During Siddhartha's journey, especially just before leaving asceticism, Siddhartha questions the ability for one person to communicate the knowledge required to reach Nirvana. Siddhartha, as a result, turns to himself, and gaining his own experiences, leading him to life with Kamala, and Vasuveda. Only after years, not being taught, but learning for himself, is Siddhartha able to reach his Nirvana. Struggles he had with the Samanas, samsara, with Kamala, and with his son, gave him knowledge, but more importantly, it gave him the wisdom to know that that only by experiencing these things for himself could he understand them. Siddhartha attempts to describe this fact to Govinda, relaying that "Wisdom cannot be imparted. Wisdom that a wise man attempts to impart always sounds like foolishness." (76). But even this understanding sounds like a joke to Govinda, for he does not have the wisdom to understand it. Govinda made a choice to follow the teachings of another, rather than establishing doctrines himself. Govinda could only establish comparable wisdom is he also underwent this experience. However, because of the nature of wisdom, and its acquiescence through experience, his wisdom would undoubtedly be altered from Siddhartha's. Even if in this scenario, they both achieved enlightenment, Govinda's would be inherently different.

[Antonio]

I think it is the ladder because of one of Siddhartha’s central messages; that it’s we all have our own path. Our purpose too seek enlightenment is all different. Our way to reach enlightenment is all different. Therefore, our knowledge is entirely different because of the path we take. What naturally happens to people’s knowledge is they think their way is right; when that’s impossible. Our perception of knowledge is all different, because we see it through eyes, literally and figuratively.

[Aksa]

I agree with both Antonio and Luke that unlike knowledge, wisdom cannot be imparted because experience can only be gained not taught. Siddhartha in his conversation with Govinda expresses “No one is able to look at someone else and know how far along on his journey he is; in the highwayman and dice player lurks a Buddha” (77). He understands wisdom to be an intimate element of any person because it is subjective to one’s experience and perspective; it cannot be taught. I believe that the kiss on Govinda’s head was not a means for Siddhartha to impart his wisdom to his friend, but add to it by gifting him another experience unique to himself.

[Tanvir]

In my perspective I think that there isn't really one real form of wisdom, but rather wisdom is based on an individual and their understanding and knowledge from their experiences in life. Every person has different events that occur in their life which shape their outlook on things. With experiences people gain knowledge, and since no two people have the same background and life, it can be assumed that the wisdom gathered is not the same thing to two people. Siddhartha and Govinda both reach enlightenment, but that understanding is different to the both of them; Siddhartha has his own view and so does Govinda. They've both traveled different paths to attain enlightenment, so obviously their experiences differ, which in turn means their context of wisdom differs as well. This is reinforced when Govinda tells Siddhartha that "'Knowledge can be communicated, but not wisdom. One can find it, live it, be fortified by it, do wonders through it, but one cannot communicate and teach it'" because that wisdom comes from the events that only they've experienced (Hesse 142).

[Jaspreet]

Siddhartha comments, "One can convey knowledge but not wisdom"(111). I think thats true. Wisdom is a feeling acquired through the experiences in our lives. Wisdom transfers when we relate to something similar happens to one another. I think that wisdom is a connection between people and that it can be shared, but enlightenment comes from within, an inner peace. Wisdom and enlightenment, as I see it, cannot go hand in hand.