What does Siddhartha teach Govinda?
When Siddhartha and Govinda meet the Buddha, both listen to his teachings. Govinda swears to follow him, expecting Siddhartha to do so as well. He is shocked when Siddhartha will not. Although he now has the Buddha to be dependent on, there is still a connection to Siddhartha, a connection without which Govinda feels deeply sad. Siddhartha is too independent to be tied down by such an allegiance to one philosophy, however. Colin Butler concludes that Siddhartha's meeting and discussion with the Buddha profoundly affects his future journeys because Siddhartha sees in Buddha a man who has found Nirvana independently. With this information, Siddhartha is confident that he can do the same and reach Nirvana while maintaining the independence that is one of his stronger characteristics.
When Siddhartha and Govinda meet the Buddha, both listen to his teachings. Govinda swears to follow him, expecting Siddhartha to do so as well. He is shocked when Siddhartha will not. Although he now has the Buddha to be dependent on, there is still a connection to Siddhartha, a connection without which Govinda feels deeply sad. Siddhartha is too independent to be tied down by such an allegiance to one philosophy, however. Colin Butler concludes that Siddhartha's meeting and discussion with the Buddha profoundly affects his future journeys because Siddhartha sees in Buddha a man who has found Nirvana independently. With this information, Siddhartha is confident that he can do the same and reach Nirvana while maintaining the independence that is one of his stronger characteristics.