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

What does the story suggest about the nature of human suffering?

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.

“Do not remind us of our deepest grief.” The tone of the speaker(s) is

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

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”?

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

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 :: _______ : _______

What is the central theme of The Sermon at Benares?

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?

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.

The metaphor of the mustard seed represents:

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?

What is the tone of the sermon, as reflected in the language and imagery used?

What is the significance of the title The Sermon at Benares?

The concept of suffering in the story is presented as: