Class 10 English - PUNJAB
Prose: The Sermon at Benares
The chapter 'The Sermon at Benares' from the PSEB Class 10 English syllabus narrates the journey of Siddhartha Gautama, who leaves behind his royal luxury to seek enlightenment after witnessing human suffering. Upon gaining wisdom under a peepal tree, he becomes the Buddha. The chapter highlights his first sermon preached at Benares, where he imparts deep philosophical truth to Kisa Gotami about the inevitability of death and the universal nature of human grief. For board exams, this chapter is crucial as it tests students' understanding of empathy, grief, mortality, and the literary nuances of the prose text.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Siddhartha Gautama's Awakening
Prince Siddhartha left his royal life to search for an end to suffering, eventually attaining enlightenment and becoming known as the Buddha.
The Sermon at Benares
The Buddha's first public sermon delivered at the holy city of Benares, focusing on the universal reality of death and sorrow.
Kisa Gotami's Grief
A grieving mother who lost her only son and refuses to accept his death until the Buddha teaches her a practical lesson on mortality.
The Mustard Seed Lesson
The Buddha asks Kisa Gotami to bring a handful of mustard seed from a house where no one has ever died, helping her realize that death is common to all.
Acceptance of Mortality
The core philosophical message that the world is afflicted with death and decay, and wise men do not grieve because they know the terms of the world.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) Class 10 English exams, this chapter typically carries around 4 to 6 marks. Common question types include short-answer questions based on the text, character sketches of Kisa Gotami, long-answer questions exploring the central theme of mortality and the Buddha's teachings, as well as extract-based comprehension questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the core message of the Buddha's sermon at Benares?
The Buddha taught that death is inevitable for all mortals, and suffering is a natural part of human existence. Grieving cannot bring back the dead; true peace comes only through the acceptance of this universal truth.
Why did the Buddha ask Kisa Gotami for a handful of mustard seeds?
He asked for a mustard seed from a house where no one had ever died to make her realize that death is universal and every family has experienced the pain of losing a loved one.
How did Kisa Gotami's perspective change at the end of the story?
She realized that the lives of mortals are troubled and brief, and that death is common to all. She extinguished her selfishness, accepted the reality of death, and found peace.
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