Class 10 English - BIHAR
Prose: The Sermon at Benares
The Sermon at Benares is a poignant prose piece from the Class 10 Bihar Board English curriculum that narrates the life of Gautama Buddha. It highlights his transition from a sheltered prince, Siddhartha Gautama, to an enlightened sage after witnessing the harsh realities of human suffering like sickness, old age, and death. The chapter centers on his first sermon delivered at the holy city of Benares, where he imparted profound wisdom to a grieving mother named Kisa Gotami. She learns through a mustard seed that death is common to all mortals and true peace comes only from surrendering grief.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Early Life of Siddhartha
Siddhartha Gautama was born a prince and shielded from the sufferings of the world until he encountered a sick man, an aged man, a funeral procession, and a monk begging.
The Quest for Enlightenment
Deeply moved by human suffering, the prince left his royal luxuries at age twenty-five to wander in search of enlightenment and truth, eventually sitting under a peepal tree where he gained profound awareness and came to be known as the Buddha.
The Sermon at Benares
The Buddha delivered his first sermon at the holy city of Benares, revealing the universal truth about human existence and the inescapable nature of death.
The Parable of Kisa Gotami
To teach a grieving mother whose son had died that death is universal, the Buddha asked her to bring a handful of mustard seed from a house where no one had ever died.
The Philosophy of Acceptance
Kisa Gotami realized that death is common to all and that wise people do not grieve, knowing the terms of the world, thereby attaining inner peace and overcoming her sorrow.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Bihar (BSEB) Class 10 English board examination, this chapter typically carries around 4 to 8 marks. Questions commonly include short answer-type questions about Kisa Gotami and the Buddha's teachings, long descriptive questions on the central theme of the chapter, and extract-based reference-to-context questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Buddha ask Kisa Gotami to do to prove her son could live again?
The Buddha asked her to bring a handful of mustard seeds from a house where no one had ever lost a child, husband, parent, or friend.
Why was Kisa Gotami sad and what lesson did she learn in the end?
She was sad because her only son had died. She learned that death is universal and inevitable, and that grieving cannot bring back the dead.
Why is Benares considered a sacred place in this chapter?
Benares is considered the most holy of the dipping places on the River Ganges, where the Buddha chose to preach his first sermon.
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