CBSE Class 10 English – The Sermon at Benares (First Flight)
Chapter: The Sermon at Benares by Betty Renshaw
20 Important Questions and Answers
As per CBSE 2026–27 Syllabus
Q1. Why did Siddhartha Gautama leave his royal life?
Answer:
Siddhartha Gautama was deeply disturbed after seeing the realities of human life. During a journey outside his palace, he saw a sick man, an old man, a funeral procession, and a monk begging for alms. These sights made him realize that suffering, old age, and death are unavoidable parts of life. He began to question the purpose of human existence and felt dissatisfied with the luxuries of royal life. Determined to find a solution to human suffering, he left his palace and family in search of truth and enlightenment. After years of meditation and spiritual practice, he attained wisdom and became known as Gautama Buddha.
Q2. What lesson did Kisa Gotami learn from the Buddha?
Answer:
Kisa Gotami learned that death is a universal truth and cannot be avoided. After the death of her only son, she was overcome with grief and sought a way to bring him back to life. The Buddha asked her to bring mustard seeds from a house where no one had ever died. As she went from house to house, she discovered that every family had experienced the loss of a loved one. This made her understand that suffering and death are common to all human beings. She finally accepted the reality of life and overcame her sorrow through wisdom and understanding.
Q3. Why did people consider Kisa Gotami mad?
Answer:
People considered Kisa Gotami mad because she carried the dead body of her son from one house to another, asking for medicine to revive him. Her grief was so intense that she refused to accept the fact that her son had died. Since no medicine could bring a dead person back to life, people felt that she had lost her sense of reality. However, her actions reflected the deep pain and helplessness of a mother who could not bear the loss of her only child. Her suffering eventually led her to the Buddha, who helped her understand the truth about life and death.
Q4. How did the Buddha help Kisa Gotami overcome her grief?
Answer:
The Buddha helped Kisa Gotami through a practical and meaningful lesson rather than direct advice. He asked her to collect mustard seeds from a house where no one had ever experienced death. While searching for such a house, she realized that every family had faced the loss of loved ones. This experience made her understand that death is a natural and unavoidable part of life. The Buddha’s method allowed her to discover the truth herself. As a result, she accepted her son’s death and overcame her sorrow with wisdom and understanding.
Q5. What is the significance of the mustard seeds in the story?
Answer:
The mustard seeds symbolize wisdom and self-realization. The Buddha did not actually need the seeds as medicine. Instead, he used them as a tool to teach Kisa Gotami an important lesson about life and death. By searching for seeds from a house untouched by death, she discovered that no such house existed. This realization helped her understand that death is common to all families and that no one can escape it. Thus, the mustard seeds became a symbol of the truth that suffering and loss are universal experiences shared by all human beings.
Q6. What does the chapter teach about death?
Answer:
The chapter teaches that death is an unavoidable and natural part of life. Every living being is born and must eventually die. The Buddha explains that excessive grief cannot change this reality or bring back the dead. Instead, people should accept death with understanding and wisdom. Through the story of Kisa Gotami, the chapter shows that every family experiences loss at some point. Acceptance of this truth helps people find peace and strength. The lesson encourages readers to face life’s difficulties with courage rather than becoming overwhelmed by sorrow.
Q7. Describe Kisa Gotami’s condition after her son’s death.
Answer:
After the death of her only son, Kisa Gotami was heartbroken and unable to accept the reality of his death. She was overwhelmed by grief and desperately searched for a cure that could bring him back to life. Carrying the dead child in her arms, she went from house to house asking for medicine. Her sorrow had clouded her judgment, and she refused to believe that her son was gone forever. Her emotional suffering reflects the deep attachment and love she had for her child. Eventually, the Buddha helped her understand and accept the truth of death.
Q8. Why did the Buddha ask Kisa Gotami to bring mustard seeds from a house where no one had died?
Answer:
The Buddha gave this task to Kisa Gotami so that she could learn an important truth through her own experience. He knew that she would not find a single house untouched by death. As she visited different homes, she heard stories of loss and suffering from every family. This made her realize that death is common to all people and not just her personal tragedy. The Buddha’s approach was wise because it allowed her to discover the truth herself instead of merely listening to advice. This understanding helped her overcome her grief and accept reality.
Q9. What kind of person was Kisa Gotami?
Answer:
Kisa Gotami was a loving and devoted mother who cared deeply for her only son. His death caused her immense pain and sorrow. Initially, she was unable to accept reality and desperately searched for a way to bring him back to life. However, she was also sincere and willing to learn. When the Buddha gave her a task, she followed it honestly and patiently. Her experiences during the search transformed her thinking. By the end of the story, she became wiser and accepted the universal truth of death with courage and understanding.
Q10. What message does the Buddha’s first sermon convey?
Answer:
The Buddha’s first sermon conveys the message that suffering and death are inevitable parts of human life. No person can escape old age, illness, or death. Instead of becoming trapped in grief, people should understand and accept these realities. The sermon teaches that wisdom lies in recognizing the temporary nature of life and maintaining inner peace. Through the example of Kisa Gotami, the Buddha shows that everyone experiences loss and sorrow. Acceptance of life’s truths helps individuals overcome suffering and achieve mental peace and spiritual growth.
Q11. How did Kisa Gotami’s search change her thinking?
Answer:
Kisa Gotami’s search for mustard seeds transformed her understanding of life. At first, she believed that her suffering was unique and hoped to revive her son. However, while visiting different homes, she discovered that every family had experienced death. Some had lost parents, children, spouses, or relatives. Listening to their stories made her realize that loss is a universal human experience. Gradually, she understood that death is inevitable and affects everyone equally. This realization helped her let go of her grief and accept her son’s death. Her search became a journey from sorrow to wisdom and self-awareness.
Q12. Why is the story of Kisa Gotami considered inspiring?
Answer:
The story of Kisa Gotami is inspiring because it shows how wisdom can help people overcome grief and suffering. Despite losing her only son, she eventually learned to accept reality through the Buddha’s guidance. Her journey demonstrates the power of self-realization and emotional strength. Instead of remaining trapped in sorrow, she gained a deeper understanding of life and death. The story teaches readers that pain and loss are part of human existence, but acceptance can lead to peace and healing. It inspires people to face difficult situations with courage, patience, and understanding.
Q13. What does the chapter reveal about human suffering?
Answer:
The chapter reveals that human suffering is universal and unavoidable. Every person experiences pain, loss, illness, old age, and death at some point in life. Through Kisa Gotami’s experience, the Buddha teaches that suffering is not limited to one individual or family. People often feel isolated in their grief, but the reality is that everyone faces similar challenges. The chapter emphasizes that understanding this truth helps people cope with sorrow more effectively. Instead of resisting reality, one should accept life’s difficulties with wisdom and patience to achieve inner peace.
Q14. Why did Gautama Buddha become a monk?
Answer:
Gautama Buddha became a monk because he wanted to find answers to the suffering he observed in the world. Seeing sickness, old age, and death made him realize that material comforts could not protect people from pain. He felt troubled by these realities and decided to leave his royal life behind. He spent several years meditating and seeking spiritual knowledge. His goal was to understand the cause of suffering and discover a path to peace and enlightenment. His dedication ultimately led him to become the Buddha, the enlightened teacher who guided others toward wisdom.
Q15. What role does acceptance play in the chapter?
Answer:
Acceptance is one of the central themes of the chapter. The Buddha teaches that peace comes from accepting life’s realities rather than resisting them. Kisa Gotami suffered greatly because she could not accept her son’s death. Her search for mustard seeds helped her understand that death is a natural and universal event. Once she accepted this truth, her grief began to fade. The chapter suggests that acceptance does not mean a lack of love or emotion; instead, it means understanding what cannot be changed. Such acceptance allows people to live with greater wisdom, strength, and inner peace.
Q16. How does the chapter present Buddha as a wise teacher?
Answer:
The chapter presents the Buddha as a wise and compassionate teacher who understands human emotions deeply. Instead of directly telling Kisa Gotami to accept her son’s death, he guides her toward discovering the truth herself. His method is thoughtful and effective because personal experience often teaches better than words. He recognizes her pain and helps her overcome it through understanding rather than force. His teachings focus on wisdom, patience, and acceptance. By helping Kisa Gotami realize the universality of death, he demonstrates both intelligence and compassion, making him an ideal spiritual guide.
Q17. What is the central theme of “The Sermon at Benares”?
Answer:
The central theme of the chapter is the universality of death and the need for acceptance. Through the story of Kisa Gotami, the Buddha teaches that all living beings must face death sooner or later. Grief is natural, but excessive sorrow cannot change reality. The chapter emphasizes wisdom, self-realization, and emotional balance. It encourages people to understand that suffering is a shared human experience and that acceptance brings peace. The message remains relevant because everyone faces loss at some stage in life. Learning to accept it helps individuals grow stronger and wiser.
Q18. How did the Buddha attain enlightenment?
Answer:
After leaving his royal life, Siddhartha Gautama spent many years searching for the truth about human suffering. He practiced meditation, self-discipline, and spiritual reflection. Finally, he sat under a peepal tree and meditated deeply. After intense contemplation, he attained enlightenment and gained a profound understanding of life, suffering, and peace. The tree later became known as the Bodhi Tree or the Tree of Wisdom. From that moment, he was called the Buddha, meaning “the Enlightened One.” He then dedicated his life to teaching others the path of wisdom and inner peace.
Q19. What does the chapter teach about attachment?
Answer:
The chapter teaches that excessive attachment can lead to suffering. Kisa Gotami’s deep attachment to her son prevented her from accepting his death. Her grief became unbearable because she could not let go of her desire to keep him alive. The Buddha showed her that attachment to things that are temporary often causes pain. He encouraged understanding and acceptance instead of clinging to what cannot remain forever. The lesson is not that people should stop loving others, but that they should recognize the temporary nature of life. This understanding helps reduce suffering and brings emotional balance.
Q20. Why is “The Sermon at Benares” relevant even today?
Answer:
“The Sermon at Benares” remains relevant because its message about life, death, and acceptance is timeless. People today still experience loss, grief, and emotional suffering just as they did in the past. The chapter teaches valuable lessons about facing difficulties with courage and wisdom. It reminds readers that sorrow is a universal experience and that no one is alone in suffering. The Buddha’s teachings encourage emotional strength, patience, and understanding. These values help people cope with challenges and maintain inner peace, making the chapter meaningful for modern readers as well.