"The Dharma Bums"

We as humans love reading about things that make us think with different perspectives and experience new emotions. We love stories that transport us into new locations, exotic myths and enticing worlds. Reading about characters that are entirely different to us is transformative and imaginative. The autobiographical novel, “The Dharma Bums,” by Jack Kerouac, incorporates all of these factors (and more) and provides an amazingly unique reading experience for everyone.  

The main character, Ray Smith, based on Kerouac, navigates life driven by a strong interest in Buddhist teachings, a desire to achieve a simple life and a love for poetry. Kerouac’s friend, Japhy Ryder, is the main inspiration for many of Smith’s actions, and displays what it truly means to be a “Zen lunatic” throughout the novel. Smith spends his time hitchhiking and train-hopping across the country, hiking to mountain summits and meditating for extended periods in the bare wilderness. He searches for true Nirvana through disconnecting himself from the material, capitalistic world. Kerouac writes, “Finding Nirvana is like locating silence.”

The definition of the word dharma in Buddhism is, “the nature of reality regarded as a universal truth taught by the Buddha” or “an aspect of truth or reality.” The decision to title this novel, “The Dharma Bums,” highlights the characters’ devotion to achieving peace and finding truth through trips, actions and choices that may be viewed as unconventional. There is a focus on simply doing what feels right to the individual and noticing that there is more to reality than what first meets the senses. Ray Smith eventually goes to the Cascade Mountain Range to work as a fire lookout for a summer, where he endures pain and discomfort, but more importantly achieves levels of mental clarity completely new to him. 

This unique novel translates the power of nature and the lessons that the trees, mountains and streams hold. It goes past the surface level goals and expectations promoted by society and informs readers of the value of silence, solitude and mentorship. Smith spends time with friends and gets drunk off of wine (more often than some he should), but still prioritizes meditation, nature and the wisdom that can be achieved by journeying through life as simplistically as possible. Ray Smith states, “I'd rather hop freights around the country and cook my food out of tin cans over wood fires, than be rich and have a home or work.” 

If you are driven by adventure, relate to the unconventional or are inspired by spontaneity, “The Dharma Bums”should be next on your list. There are so many layers to this novel and so much that can be learned within its 187 pages.