The Sermon at Benares Class 10 MCQ Quiz – Test Your Knowledge

Poor Kisa Gotami now went from house to house, and the people pitied her and said, “Here is the mustard seed; take it!” But when she asked, “Did a son or daughter, a father or mother, die in your family?” they answered her, “Alas! the living are few, but the dead are many. Do not remind us of our deepest grief.” And there was no house but some beloved one had died in it.

Pick the option that explains — ‘…the living few, but the dead many.’

Not from weeping nor from grieving will anyone obtain peace of mind; on the contrary, his pain will be the greater, and his body will suffer… He who seeks peace should draw out the arrow of lamentation, and complaint, and grief. He who has drawn out the arrow and has become composed will obtain peace of mind.”

Which of the following statements cannot be attributed to the Buddha based on the given extract?

1. Pain and grief are unavoidable and necessary.
2. The inevitability of death makes grieving futile.
3. The universality of grief and pain makes us sad.
4. Understanding that life is finite leads to wisdom.

Imagine you are a photojournalist visiting the city at the time Kisa Gotami went from house to house. You documented her experience in the above extract in a photo series.  

Your publisher wants to publish the photo series in three parts wherein Part 1 shows Kisa’s visits to the houses; Part 2 depicts her conversations with people, and Part 3 captures Kisa’s reflections at the end of the day sitting by the wayside.

The publisher would also like you to choose titles for the series and its three parts.

Look at the titles given below, and choose the options that provide the most appropriate set of titles.

1. Series Title – From Darkness to Light. Part I – Living in Loss; Part II – A Mother’s Journey; Part III – Mustard Seed
2. Series Title – Mustard Seed. Part I – A Mother’s Journey; Part II – From Darkness to Light; Part III – Living in Loss
3. Series Title – A Mother’s Journey. Part I – Mustard Seed; Part II – Living in Loss; Part III – From Darkness to Light
4. Series Title – Living in Loss. Part I – From Darkness to Light; Part II – Mustard Seed; Part III – A Mother’s Journey

Not from weeping nor from grieving will anyone obtain peace of mind; on the contrary, his pain will be the greater, and his body will suffer… He who seeks peace should draw out the arrow of lamentation, and complaint, and grief. He who has drawn out the arrow and has become composed will obtain peace of mind.”

If the Buddha were a counselor, which of the following options would you find in a brochure of his service?

Poor Kisa Gotami now went from house to house, and the people pitied her and said, “Here is the mustard seed; take it!” But when she asked, “Did a son or daughter, a father or mother, die in your family?” they answered her, “Alas! the living are few, but the dead are many. Do not remind us of our deepest grief.” And there was no house but some beloved one had died in it.

The community’s response to Kisa in the above extract was somewhat different from before. Why do you think that was the case?

Why does Kisa Gotami go from house to house asking for mustard seeds?

How does Buddha's sermon help Kisa Gotami overcome her grief?

What does Kisa Gotami's search for mustard seeds symbolize?

The metaphor of the mustard seed represents:

What inference can be made about the Buddha's teachings, as reflected in the sermon?

What lesson does the story teach about dealing with grief?

What is the central theme of The Sermon at Benares?

Not from weeping nor from grieving will anyone obtain peace of mind; on the contrary, his pain will be the greater, and his body will suffer… He who seeks peace should draw out the arrow of lamentation, and complaint, and grief. He who has drawn out the arrow and has become composed will obtain peace of mind.”

Choose the option that appropriately completes the following—

lamentation : grief :: _______ : _______

Not from weeping nor from grieving will anyone obtain peace of mind; on the contrary, his pain will be the greater, and his body will suffer… He who seeks peace should draw out the arrow of lamentation, and complaint, and grief. He who has drawn out the arrow and has become composed will obtain peace of mind.”

According to the Buddha, peace of mind is attainable by those who

Poor Kisa Gotami now went from house to house, and the people pitied her and said, “Here is the mustard seed; take it!” But when she asked, “Did a son or daughter, a father or mother, die in your family?” they answered her, “Alas! the living are few, but the dead are many. Do not remind us of our deepest grief.” And there was no house but some beloved one had died in it.

Which of the following options represents the correct understanding of the word “poor” in the phrase “Poor Kisa Gotami”?