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.”

The given extract is paraphrased below. Choose the option that includes the most appropriate solutions for the blanks.

The act of (i) ______________ is not only pointless but rather (ii) _________, causing pain and suffering. It only serves to (iii) __________ peace of mind. (iv) __________ without complaint is crucial to well-being and peace.

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.

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

What is the central theme of The Sermon at Benares?

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

The concept of suffering in the story is presented as:

What does Kisa Gotami's journey teach her about life?

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

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.”

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

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.

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

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

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