Thus Gotama [Buddha] walked toward the town to gather alms, and the two samanas recognized him solely by the perfection of his repose, by the calmness of his figure, in which there was no trace of seeking, desiring, imitating, or striving, only light and peace
Interpretation
The quote reflects the profound peace and tranquility of an enlightened being, emphasizing the absence of desire and striving.
In this quote, Hermann Hesse illustrates the Buddha's serene presence, which is recognizable not through outward appearances but through an inner calm that stems from enlightenment. The absence of seeking, desiring, imitating, or striving signifies a state of pure being and contentment, highlighting the importance of inner peace in one's spiritual journey.
In practice
In a discussion about mindfulness, this quote can illustrate the importance of inner tranquility.
I shall no longer be instructed by the Yoga Veda or the Aharva Veda, or the ascetics, or any other doctrine whatsoever. I shall learn from myself, be a pupil of myself; I shall get to know myself, the mystery of Siddhartha." He looked around as if he were seeing the world for the first time.
That is where my dearest and brightest dreams have ranged — to hear for the duration of a heartbeat the universe and the totality of life in its mysterious, innate harmony.
I, also, would like to look and smile, sit and walk like that, so free, so worthy, so restrained, so candid, so childlike and mysterious. A man only looks and walks like that when he has conquered his Self. I also will conquer my Self.
You're quite right there," he said. "I have practiced abstinence myself for years, and had my time of fasting, too, but now I find myself once more beneath the sign of Aquarius, a dark and humid constellation.
I call that man awake who, with conscious knowledge and understanding, can perceive the deep unreasoning powers in his soul, his whole innermost strength, desire and weakness, and knows how to reckon with himself.
Despair is the result of each earnest attempt to go through life with virtue, justice and understanding, and to fulfill their requirements. Children live on one side of despair, the awakened on the other side.
Disgust for the female body is always tinged with anxiety, since the body symbolizes mortality.
Certain things need to be said if one is to avoid falsifying the problem.
Death is contagious; it is contracted the moment we are conceived.
It is the Germans who are responsible for the fact that I became a fabricator of arms. If not for them, I would have constructed agricultural machines. (...) If someone asks me how I can sleep at night knowing that my arms have killed millions of people, I respond that I have no problem sleeping, my conscience is clean. I constructed arms to defend my country.
The more you know about Christ, the less you will be satisfied with superficial views of Him.
One certainty we all accept is the condition of being uncertain and insecure.
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