The Sermon at Benares provides insightful teachings from Lord Buddha, originally known as Siddhārtha Gautama, who renounced his royal life to seek enlightenment and address the sorrows of the world. After encountering various human experiences, he attained Salvation and began sharing his wisdom under the Bodhi Tree.
The Transformation of Siddhārtha Gautama to Lord Buddha
Born as a prince in North India, Siddhārtha Gautama left behind his luxurious life after witnessing sickness, old age, death, and a monk seeking alms. This led to his spiritual quest for seven years, culminating in his enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree, marking the beginning of his teachings as Lord Buddha.
The Story of Kisa Gotami and the Universal Truth
One of Lord Buddha’s teachings in The Sermon at Benares revolves around Kisa Gotami, a grieving mother who sought to bring her dead son back to life. Through her journey to find mustard seeds from a house untouched by loss, she realizes the inevitable cycle of life and death. Lord Buddha’s lesson emphasizes the futility of clinging to grief and the importance of accepting the natural course of life.
Overcoming Sorrow and Finding Joy in Life
Lord Buddha’s teachings in The Sermon at Benares highlight the harmful effects of excessive sorrow and grief. By understanding the universal truth of impermanence, one can find joy and peace in life. Embracing nature’s inherent cycle allows individuals to navigate through life’s challenges with wisdom and resilience.
In conclusion, The Sermon at Benares encapsulates Lord Buddha’s profound teachings on overcoming suffering, accepting reality, and finding inner peace amidst life’s uncertainties. The story of Kisa Gotami serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of letting go of attachment and embracing the natural flow of existence.
The Sermon at Benares Summary in Hindi
बनारस का उपदेश भगवान बुद्ध से व्यावहारिक शिक्षाएं प्रदान करता है, जिन्हें मूल रूप से सिद्धार्थ गौतम के नाम से जाना जाता है, जिन्होंने ज्ञान प्राप्त करने और दुनिया के दुखों को दूर करने के लिए अपने शाही जीवन को त्याग दिया था। विभिन्न मानवीय अनुभवों का सामना करने के बाद, उन्होंने मोक्ष प्राप्त किया और बोधि वृक्ष के नीचे अपना ज्ञान साझा करना शुरू किया।
सिद्धार्थ गौतम का भगवान बुद्ध में परिवर्तन
उत्तर भारत में एक राजकुमार के रूप में जन्मे सिद्धार्थ गौतम ने बीमारी, बुढ़ापा, मृत्यु और भिक्षा मांगने वाले एक भिक्षु को देखने के बाद अपना विलासितापूर्ण जीवन छोड़ दिया। इससे सात वर्षों तक उनकी आध्यात्मिक खोज पूरी हुई और बोधि वृक्ष के नीचे उन्हें ज्ञान की प्राप्ति हुई, जिससे भगवान बुद्ध के रूप में उनकी शिक्षाओं की शुरुआत हुई।
किसा गौतमी की कहानी और सार्वभौमिक सत्य
बनारस में उपदेश में भगवान बुद्ध की शिक्षाओं में से एक किसा गोतमी के इर्द-गिर्द घूमती है, जो एक दुखी मां थी, जो अपने मृत बेटे को वापस जीवन में लाना चाहती थी। नुकसान से अछूते घर से सरसों के बीज खोजने की अपनी यात्रा के माध्यम से, उसे जीवन और मृत्यु के अपरिहार्य चक्र का एहसास होता है। भगवान बुद्ध का पाठ दुःख से चिपके रहने की निरर्थकता और जीवन के प्राकृतिक पाठ्यक्रम को स्वीकार करने के महत्व पर जोर देता है।
दुःख पर काबू पाना और जीवन में खुशी पाना
बनारस में उपदेश में भगवान बुद्ध की शिक्षाएँ अत्यधिक दुःख और शोक के हानिकारक प्रभावों पर प्रकाश डालती हैं। अनित्यता के सार्वभौमिक सत्य को समझकर व्यक्ति जीवन में आनंद और शांति पा सकता है। प्रकृति के अंतर्निहित चक्र को अपनाने से व्यक्तियों को ज्ञान और लचीलेपन के साथ जीवन की चुनौतियों से निपटने की अनुमति मिलती है।
अंत में, बनारस का उपदेश भगवान बुद्ध की पीड़ा पर काबू पाने, वास्तविकता को स्वीकार करने और जीवन की अनिश्चितताओं के बीच आंतरिक शांति खोजने की गहन शिक्षाओं को समाहित करता है। किसा गौतमी की कहानी आसक्ति को त्यागने और अस्तित्व के प्राकृतिक प्रवाह को अपनाने के महत्व की एक शक्तिशाली याद दिलाती है।
The Sermon at Benares Summary in Assamese
বেনাৰসস্থিত ধৰ্মধ্বনিত মূলতঃ সিদ্ধাৰ্থ গৌতম নামেৰে পৰিচিত ভগৱান বুদ্ধৰ পৰা অন্তৰ্দৃষ্টিসম্পন্ন শিক্ষা দিয়া হৈছে, যিয়ে জ্ঞানলাভৰ সন্ধান আৰু জগতৰ দুখ-কষ্ট সম্বোধন কৰিবলৈ নিজৰ ৰাজজীৱন ত্যাগ কৰিছিল। বিভিন্ন মানৱ অভিজ্ঞতাৰ সন্মুখীন হোৱাৰ পিছত তেওঁ মোক্ষ লাভ কৰি বোধি গছৰ তলত নিজৰ প্ৰজ্ঞাৰ ভাগ-বতৰা কৰিবলৈ আৰম্ভ কৰে।
সিদ্ধাৰ্থ গৌতমৰ ভগৱান বুদ্ধলৈ ৰূপান্তৰ
উত্তৰ ভাৰতত ৰাজকুমাৰ হিচাপে জন্মগ্ৰহণ কৰা সিদ্ধাৰ্থ গৌতমে বেমাৰ, বাৰ্ধক্য, মৃত্যু, দান-বৰঙণি বিচৰা সন্ন্যাসীৰ সাক্ষী হৈ নিজৰ বিলাসী জীৱন এৰি থৈ যায়। ইয়াৰ ফলত তেওঁৰ সাত বছৰ ধৰি আধ্যাত্মিক অভিযান আৰম্ভ হয় আৰু বোধি গছৰ তলত তেওঁৰ জ্ঞান লাভৰ শিখৰত উপনীত হয় আৰু ভগৱান বুদ্ধ হিচাপে তেওঁৰ শিক্ষাৰ আৰম্ভণি হয়।
কিষা গোটমীৰ কাহিনী আৰু সাৰ্বজনীন সত্য
দ্য চেৰমন এট বেনাৰসত ভগৱান বুদ্ধৰ এটা শিক্ষা ঘূৰণীয়া হৈছে কিছা গোতামী নামৰ এগৰাকী শোকগ্ৰস্ত মাতৃ যিয়ে নিজৰ মৃত পুত্ৰক পুনৰ জীৱিত কৰিবলৈ বিচাৰিছিল। ক্ষতিৰ অস্পৃশ্য ঘৰৰ পৰা সৰিয়হৰ গুটি বিচাৰি উলিওৱাৰ যাত্ৰাৰ মাজেৰে তাই উপলব্ধি কৰে জীৱন-মৃত্যুৰ অনিবাৰ্য চক্ৰ। ভগৱান বুদ্ধৰ পাঠত শোকত আঁকোৱালি লোৱাৰ অসাৰতা আৰু স্বাভাৱিক জীৱন-ধাৰণক গ্ৰহণ কৰাৰ গুৰুত্বৰ ওপৰত গুৰুত্ব আৰোপ কৰা হৈছে।
দুখক জয় কৰি জীৱনত আনন্দ বিচাৰি উলিওৱা
ভগৱান বুদ্ধৰ বেনাৰসৰ ধৰ্মধ্বনিত দিয়া শিক্ষাই অত্যধিক দুখ আৰু শোকৰ ক্ষতিকাৰক প্ৰভাৱৰ ওপৰত আলোকপাত কৰিছে। অস্থায়িত্বৰ সাৰ্বজনীন সত্য বুজি পালে জীৱনত আনন্দ আৰু শান্তি পাব পাৰি। প্ৰকৃতিৰ অন্তৰ্নিহিত চক্ৰক আকোৱালি লোৱাটোৱে ব্যক্তিক জীৱনৰ প্ৰত্যাহ্বানসমূহৰ মাজেৰে প্ৰজ্ঞা আৰু স্থিতিস্থাপকতাৰে আগবাঢ়িব পাৰে।
সামৰণিত ক’ব পাৰি যে বেনাৰসৰ ধৰ্মধ্বনিত ভগৱান বুদ্ধৰ দুখ-কষ্ট অতিক্ৰম কৰা, বাস্তৱক গ্ৰহণ কৰা আৰু জীৱনৰ অনিশ্চয়তাৰ মাজত আভ্যন্তৰীণ শান্তি বিচাৰি উলিওৱাৰ গভীৰ শিক্ষাসমূহ সন্নিবিষ্ট কৰা হৈছে। কিষা গোটমীৰ কাহিনীয়ে মোহ এৰি অস্তিত্বৰ স্বাভাৱিক প্ৰবাহক আকোৱালি লোৱাৰ গুৰুত্বৰ এক শক্তিশালী সোঁৱৰণী হিচাপে কাম কৰে।
The Sermon at Benares Question and answers
Question 1.When her son dies, Kisa Gotami goes from house to house ? What does she ask for ? Does she get it ? Why not ?
Answer: Kisa Gotami was overcame with grief after the death of her only son. She carried the dead body of her son in her arms .She went from door to door asking for medicine to cure her child.Alas! nobody could provide any medicine. No medicine was available which can bring a dead person back to life.
Question 2.Kisa Gotami again goes from house to house after she speaks with the Buddha. What does she ask for, the second time around ? Does she get it ? Why not ?
Answer:Gautama Buddha asks Kisa to bring a handful of mustard seeds from a house where death had never knocked at the door. Kisa Gotami went from door to door, but couldn’t find a single house where death had not taken a person’s life. She could not get it as death is inevitable and anyone who is born is bound to die one day.
Question 3.What does Kisa Gotami understand the second time that she failed to understand the first time ? Was this what the Buddha wanted her to understand ?
Answer:After failing to procure a handful of mustard seeds from a house where death had never knocked at the door, she sat down by the roadside feeling helpless. She saw the lights of the city that flickered and were extinguished. At last, it was darkness everywhere.
She realised that death was common to all and she was being selfish in her grief. Yes, this is what Buddha wanted her to understand, that, everyone who is born has to die one day.
Question 4.Why do you think Kisa Gotami understood this only the second time ? In what way did the Buddha change her understanding ?
OR
How did Buddha convey to Kisa the truth of life and death ? (March 20)
Answer:First time Kisa was full of grief that she could not get a handful of mustard seeds from any house where death had never taken place. But when she went from door to door the second time, she understood that everyone was dealing with the loss of a beloved one. There was not a single house in- -the town, where death had not taken a father, a mother, a sister, a brother, a son or a daughter. Everyone, at some point or the other, have experienced . the death of their loved ones. Gautama Buddha helped her to understand all this, as he told her to bring a handful of mustard seeds from a house where death had never knocked at the door. This way she got aware that death is common to all human beings.
Question 5.How do you usually understand the idea of selfishness ? Do you agree with Kisa Gotami that she was being selfish in her grief ?
Answer:A selfish person is one who only thinks about himself or herself. Kisa Gotami behaved as a selfish person because we are humans and it is natural for us to die. We do not easily accept the death of our loved ones. Same has happened with Kisa Gotami. As it was her only child, she did not want him to die and finally went to Buddha to ask for help.
The Sermon at Benares MCQ
- What was Gautama Buddha’s original name, and in which region of India was he born?
- a) Siddhartha Gautama; Southern India
- b) Siddhartha Gautama; Northern India
- c) Siddhartha Gupta; Eastern India
- d) Siddhartha Gupta; Western India
Correct Answer: b) Siddhartha Gautama; Northern India
- What prompted Siddhartha Gautama to seek enlightenment?
- a) Witnessing a monk begging for alms
- b) Chancing upon a sick man during a hunt
- c) Experiencing the death of his son
- d) Returning home after four years of schooling
Correct Answer: b) Chancing upon a sick man during a hunt
- How long did Siddhartha Gautama wander before attaining enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree?
- a) One day
- b) Seven years
- c) Twenty-five days
- d) One year
Correct Answer: b) Seven years
- What did Siddhartha Gautama rename the tree under which he attained enlightenment?
- a) Wisdom Tree
- b) Enlightenment Tree
- c) Tree of Wisdom
- d) Bodhi Tree
Correct Answer: d) Bodhi Tree
- Where did Siddhartha Gautama preach his first sermon, and what is the topic of that sermon?
- a) Benares; suffering and enlightenment
- b) Delhi; the nature of the soul
- c) Varanasi; the art of meditation
- d) Agra; the path to material success
Correct Answer: a) Benares; suffering and enlightenment
- What is the story of Kisa Gotami about?
- a) Her journey to find a lost treasure
- b) Her search for a cure for her sick child
- c) Her struggle with political issues
- d) Her quest for knowledge
Correct Answer: b) Her search for a cure for her sick child
- What did the man suggest to Kisa Gotami when she asked for medicine for her child?
- a) Visit a nearby pharmacy
- b) Consult the local healer
- c) Approach Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha
- d) Try herbal remedies
Correct Answer: c) Approach Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha
- What condition did Siddhartha Gautama set for providing the medicine to Kisa Gotami?
- a) She needed to offer a valuable item in return
- b) She had to bring a handful of mustard seeds
- c) She had to recite a sacred mantra
- d) She needed to complete a pilgrimage
Correct Answer: b) She had to bring a handful of mustard seeds
- Why was Kisa Gotami unable to find the mustard seeds easily?
- a) People refused to help her
- b) Mustard seeds were rare in that region
- c) She forgot where to find them
- d) She couldn’t find a house without a deceased family member
Correct Answer: d) She couldn’t find a house without a deceased family member
- What realization did Kisa Gotami have while sitting at the wayside in despair?
- a) Her grief was unique
- b) Death is a common fate for all
- c) She should have been more selfish
- d) Life is full of joy and happiness
Correct Answer: b) Death is a common fate for all
- What metaphor does Siddhartha Gautama use to describe human life in the world?
- a) A river flowing endlessly
- b) A flickering flame
- c) A ripe fruit in danger of falling
- d) An unbreakable vessel made by a potter
Correct Answer: c) A ripe fruit in danger of falling
- According to Siddhartha Gautama, what is the nature of living beings after reaching old age?
- a) They become immortal
- b) They attain enlightenment
- c) They are in danger of death
- d) They are free from suffering
Correct Answer: c) They are in danger of death
- How does Siddhartha Gautama describe the inevitability of death for mortals?
- a) Like a river flowing smoothly
- b) Like earthen vessels made by a potter
- c) Like ripe fruits falling early
- d) Like a flame that never extinguishes
Correct Answer: b) Like earthen vessels made by a potter
- What advice does Siddhartha Gautama give to those seeking peace of mind in times of grief?
- a) Weep and grieve to release the pain
- b) Avoid all emotions to find peace
- c) Draw out the arrow of lamentation, complaint, and grief
- d) Seek the help of others to alleviate sorrow
Correct Answer: c) Draw out the arrow of lamentation, complaint, and grief
- What is the consequence of seeking peace through weeping and grieving, according to Siddhartha Gautama?
- a) One attains enlightenment
- b) One finds peace of mind
- c) Pain increases, and the body suffers
- d) The dead are saved
Correct Answer: c) Pain increases, and the body suffers
- How does Siddhartha Gautama suggest overcoming sorrow and attaining peace of mind?
- a) Through continuous weeping
- b) By avoiding all emotions
- c) By drawing out the arrow of lamentation
- d) By complaining about life
Correct Answer: c) By drawing out the arrow of lamentation
- What term does Siddhartha Gautama use to describe the state of those who have overcome all sorrow?
- a) Immortal
- b) Enlightened
- c) Blessed
- d) Divine
Correct Answer: c) Blessed
- According to Siddhartha Gautama, what should the wise do in the face of death and decay?
- a) Grieve deeply
- b) Accept the terms of the world
- c) Avoid contemplating mortality
- d) Deny the reality of death
Correct Answer: b) Accept the terms of the world
- Where did Siddhartha Gautama preach his first sermon, and what is the topic of that sermon?
- a) Varanasi; the nature of the soul
- b) Benares; suffering and enlightenment
- c) Delhi; the art of meditation
- d) Agra; the path to material success
Correct Answer: b) Benares; suffering and enlightenment
- What prompted Siddhartha Gautama to seek enlightenment?
- a) Witnessing a monk begging for alms
- b) Chancing upon a sick man during a hunt
- c) Experiencing the death of his son
- d) Returning home after four years of schooling
Correct Answer: b) Chancing upon a sick man during a hunt
- What did Siddhartha Gautama teach Kisa Gotami about the nature of life and death?
- a) Life is eternal, and death is an illusion
- b) Death is inevitable, but life has no value
- c) Both young and old are exempt from death
- d) Mortals are troubled, and death is a natural part of life
Correct Answer: d) Mortals are troubled, and death is a natural part of life
- According to the Buddha, what does seeking peace through weeping and grieving lead to?
- a) Immediate peace of mind
- b) Greater pain and suffering
- c) Comfort and solace
- d) Immortality
Correct Answer: b) Greater pain and suffering
- How did Siddhartha Gautama advise individuals to obtain peace of mind and overcome sorrow?
- a) Through intense grieving
- b) By avoiding the reality of death
- c) Drawing out the arrow of lamentation and complaint
- d) Ignoring the inevitability of death
Correct Answer: c) Drawing out the arrow of lamentation and complaint
- Why did Kisa Gotami go from house to house seeking mustard seeds?
- a) To prepare a meal for Siddhartha Gautama
- b) To find a cure for her own illness
- c) To obtain medicine for her sick child
- d) To perform a religious ritual
Correct Answer: c) To obtain medicine for her sick child
- What lesson did Siddhartha Gautama teach through the story of Kisa Gotami?
- a) The importance of wealth in overcoming grief
- b) The futility of seeking external remedies for internal pain
- c) The necessity of constant prayer for healing
- d) The power of mustard seeds in curing illnesses
Correct Answer: b) The futility of seeking external remedies for internal pain
- What did Siddhartha Gautama say about the life of mortals in this world?
- a) It is eternal and without troubles
- b) It is brief, troubled, and combined with pain
- c) It is an illusion created by the mind
- d) It is a constant source of joy and happiness
Correct Answer: b) It is brief, troubled, and combined with pain
- How did Kisa Gotami react when people offered her mustard seeds but mentioned their own losses?
- a) She felt grateful and accepted the mustard seeds
- b) She insisted on finding a house without losses
- c) She became angry and refused the mustard seeds
- d) She sympathized with their grief but continued her search
Correct Answer: c) She became angry and refused the mustard seeds
- What did Siddhartha Gautama rename the tree under which he attained enlightenment?
- a) Wisdom Tree
- b) Enlightenment Tree
- c) Tree of Wisdom
- d) Bodhi Tree
Correct Answer: d) Bodhi Tree
- Why did Siddhartha Gautama wander for seven years before attaining enlightenment?
- a) He enjoyed exploring different regions
- b) He sought the best place to build a temple
- c) He wanted to witness the sufferings of the world
- d) He was running away from his responsibilities
Correct Answer: c) He wanted to witness the sufferings of the world
- What title did Siddhartha Gautama adopt after attaining enlightenment?
- a) The Wise Sage
- b) The Awakened or the Enlightened
- c) The Supreme Ruler
- d) The Eternal Wanderer
Correct Answer: b) The Awakened or the Enlightened
Founder of Englishfry.com, a captivating and knowledge-driven blog & Founder of Android app/website Studyfunnel.com, an online Mock Test Series Portal. With a wealth of experience spanning over 16+ years, he has excelled as an Ex-Asst.Professor, Teacher, Amazon published author, Website Developer, Graphic Designer,Blogger,Poet, and Creative academic content writer publisher of 4 academic books available Online on Amazon & Flipkart. His tryst in Literature helped him realize his love for writing and telling stories. A tech-savvy language nerd by day and, a passionate writer by night, he now translates his experiences into tales of wisdom served with a side of humor.His widely recognized profound insights ,captivating writing style of weaving words make him contribute to prestigious publications and a sought-after authority in the field that transport readers to extraordinary worlds.
