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All questions of The Sermon at Benares for Class 10 Exam

Direction: Read the extracts given below and attempt, by answering the questions that follow:
Poor Kisa Gotami now went from house to house, and the people pitied her and said, "Here is 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.
Q. "Do not remind us of our deepest grief." The tone of the speaker(s) is
  • a)
    disillusioned.
  • b)
    sceptical.
  • c)
    ironic.
  • d)
    solemn.
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Pallavi rane answered
Poor Kisa Gotami's Quest for Mustard Seeds

In this extract, we witness the plight of Kisa Gotami, a grieving mother who has lost her child and is desperately seeking a way to bring her child back to life. She goes from house to house, asking for mustard seeds, hoping to find someone who has not experienced the loss of a loved one, and therefore, can help her. However, she is met with disappointment and sorrow at every door.

The Tone of the Speaker

The speaker's tone in the statement "Do not remind us of our deepest grief" can be identified as solemn.

Explanation

- Solemn: The word "solemn" refers to a serious and earnest tone that conveys deep sadness or gravity. In this context, the speaker's response reflects a somber and sorrowful sentiment.
- The people who respond to Kisa Gotami's query are overwhelmed by their own grief and loss. They do not wish to be reminded of their pain, as it brings back memories of their loved ones who have passed away.
- The phrase "deepest grief" suggests that the individuals have experienced profound sorrow and are still mourning their losses. It implies that the pain they feel is intense and deeply ingrained in their hearts.
- By using the phrase "do not remind us," the speaker is pleading with Kisa Gotami to refrain from asking about their deceased family members. This indicates that the topic of death and loss is sensitive and evokes strong emotions in the speaker(s).
- The tone of the speaker(s) in this statement is not disillusioned, skeptical, or ironic. Disillusioned refers to a feeling of disappointment or discouragement, but there is no indication of this sentiment in the given extract. Skeptical implies doubt or questioning, which is not evident in the speaker's response. Irony involves a contrast between expectation and reality, and while there is sadness and grief, there is no ironic twist in the speaker's words.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the tone of the speaker(s) in the statement "Do not remind us of our deepest grief" is solemn. The speaker(s) express their sorrow and request Kisa Gotami not to bring up the painful memories of their lost loved ones.

Direction: Read the extracts given below and attempt, by answering the questions that follow.
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."
Q. The given extract is paraphrased below. Choose the option that includes the most appropriate solutions for the blanks.
(i) The act of ______________ is not only pointless but (ii) rather _________, causing pain and suffering. It only serves to (iii) __________ peace of mind. (iv) __________ without complaint is crucial to well-being and peace.
  • a)
    grief, harmful, destroy, accepting
  • b)
    grieving, counterproductive, take away, acceptance
  • c)
    weeping, productive, take away, lamentation
  • d)
    grieving, harmful, destroy, lamenting.
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Explanation:

Paraphrased extract:
The act of grieving is not only pointless but rather counterproductive, causing pain and suffering. It only serves to take away peace of mind. Acceptance without complaint is crucial to well-being and peace.

Explanation:
- The word "grieving" is synonymous with "weeping" and "lamentation" in the original extract, making it the most appropriate choice.
- The term "counterproductive" accurately conveys the idea that grieving does not lead to peace of mind but rather exacerbates pain and suffering.
- The phrase "take away" effectively communicates the notion of removing or eliminating the negative emotions associated with grief.
- "Acceptance" is highlighted as the key to obtaining peace of mind, emphasizing the importance of letting go of lamentation and complaint.

Direction: Read the extracts given below and attempt, by answering the questions that follow:
Poor Kisa Gotami now went from house to house, and the people pitied her and said, "Here is 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.
Q. Which of the following options represent the correct understanding of the word "poor" in the phrase "Poor Kisa Gotami"?
  • a)
    in need of money
  • b)
    weak
  • c)
    unfortunate
  • d)
    inferior
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Poor Kisa Gotami

The word "poor" in the phrase "Poor Kisa Gotami" does not refer to the financial status or physical weakness of Kisa Gotami. Instead, it signifies her unfortunate and pitiable condition. Let's analyze the context to understand the meaning of "poor" in this particular situation.

Context:
Kisa Gotami is a grieving mother who has lost her only child. Distraught and desperate to find a solution, she seeks help from her neighbors and goes from house to house asking for mustard seeds. The people sympathize with her but cannot provide the mustard seeds she seeks because their families have also suffered losses.

Understanding "poor" as unfortunate:
1. Kisa Gotami's loss: Kisa Gotami is referred to as "poor" because she is grieving the death of her child. Losing a child is an unfortunate and heartbreaking experience, which elicits sympathy from others.
2. Lack of support: The people in the neighborhood pity her situation and try to help by offering mustard seeds. However, their inability to provide the mustard seeds she needs implies that they have also experienced similar losses. This suggests that Kisa Gotami is not alone in her grief, and many families have suffered from the loss of loved ones.
3. Unending grief: The phrase "the living are few, but the dead are many" further emphasizes the unfortunate circumstances of the people in the neighborhood. It implies that death has become a common occurrence, and every household has experienced the pain of losing someone dear.

Conclusion:
In the phrase "Poor Kisa Gotami," the word "poor" does not refer to her financial status or physical weakness. Instead, it signifies her unfortunate and pitiable condition as a grieving mother who has lost her child. The word "poor" is used to evoke sympathy and highlight the widespread experience of loss and grief in the community.

Direction: Read the extracts given below and attempt, by answering the questions that follow:
Poor Kisa Gotami now went from house to house, and the people pitied her and said, "Here is 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.
Imagine you are a photo journalist visiting the city at the time Kisa Gotami went from house to house. You documented her experience given 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.
Q. 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
  • a)
    1 and 2
  • b)
    2 and 3
  • c)
    3 and 4
  • d)
    1 and 4
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Meera Rana answered
Most Appropriate set of titles are:
  • Series Title - Mustard Seed.
    Part I - A Mother's Journey; Part II - From Darkness to Light; Part III -Living in Loss
  • Series Title - A Mother's Journey.
    Part I - Mustard Seed; Part II - Living in Loss; Part III - From Darkness to Light

Direction: Read the extracts given below and attempt, by answering the questions that follow.
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."
Q. According to the Buddha, peace of mind is attainable by those who
  • a)
    renounce worldly life like the Buddha
  • b)
    take out the arrow and become strong
  • c)
    grieve, suffer and then move on
  • d)
    recognize terms of life and let go of complaint
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Explanation:

Recognize terms of life
- According to the Buddha, peace of mind is attainable by those who recognize and accept the terms of life.
- Understanding that pain and suffering are inevitable parts of life helps in letting go of complaints and grievances.

Let go of complaint
- The Buddha emphasizes the importance of drawing out the arrow of lamentation, complaint, and grief.
- By letting go of these negative emotions, one can become composed and find peace of mind.

Attain peace of mind
- By recognizing the nature of life and letting go of complaints, one can attain peace of mind.
- This inner peace comes from acceptance and a calm mind, free from lamentation and grief.
Therefore, according to the Buddha, peace of mind is not obtained through weeping or grieving, but by recognizing the terms of life and letting go of complaints and grievances. This leads to a composed state of mind, ultimately bringing about peace and tranquility.

Direction: Read the extract given below and attempt, by answering the questions that follow.
At about the age of twenty five, the Prince, there of shielded from the sufferings of the world, while hunting out glanced upon a sick man, then an aged man, then a funeral procession, and finally a monk begging for alms. These sights so moved him that he at once became a beggar and went out into the world to seek enlightenment concerning the sorrows he had witnessed.
Q. The Prince was _________ by the effect of sights.
  • a)
    moved
  • b)
    carried away
  • c)
    not moved
  • d)
    not disturbed
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Rajeev Gupta answered
The Prince was moved by the effect of sights.

The extract describes how the Prince, who was shielded from the sufferings of the world, had a transformative experience when he came across various sights. These sights had a deep impact on him, prompting him to become a beggar and seek enlightenment regarding the sorrows he had witnessed.

1. The Prince's initial state
- At the age of twenty-five, the Prince was shielded from the sufferings of the world.
- He lived a life of luxury and had not encountered the harsh realities of life.

2. The sights that moved the Prince
- The Prince first glanced upon a sick man. This sight made him aware of the suffering and vulnerability of human life.
- Next, he saw an aged man, which highlighted the inevitability of old age and the deterioration of the human body.
- The Prince then came across a funeral procession, which exposed him to the reality of death and the transient nature of life.
- Finally, he encountered a monk begging for alms. This sight likely symbolized the renunciation of material possessions and the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment.

3. The Prince's response
- The sights the Prince witnessed deeply affected him.
- The emotions stirred within him were so powerful that he decided to abandon his princely life and become a beggar.
- He felt compelled to seek enlightenment and understand the sorrows he had witnessed.

4. Conclusion
- The Prince's transformation from a sheltered individual to a seeker of enlightenment was a result of the profound impact the sights had on him.
- These experiences challenged his worldview and prompted him to explore the deeper meaning of life.

Overall, the Prince's initial detachment from the sufferings of the world was shattered by the sights he encountered. This led to a profound transformation in him, as he embarked on a journey to seek enlightenment and understand the sorrows he had witnessed.

What analogy does the Buddha draw to emphasize the inevitability of death ?
  • a)
    Ripe fruits falling early
  • b)
    The breaking of earthen vessels
  • c)
    Mortals always being in danger of death
  • d)
    The flickering of lights in the city
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Srishti Mishra answered
Understanding the Analogy of Earthen Vessels
The Buddha often used analogies to convey profound truths about life and existence. One such analogy is the breaking of earthen vessels, which serves to illustrate the inevitability of death.
Significance of the Analogy
- Fragility of Life: Earthen vessels are delicate and easily broken, symbolizing the fragility of human life. Just as a vessel can shatter without warning, so too can life come to an unexpected end.
- Universal Truth: The analogy emphasizes that death is a universal truth that affects all beings. Just as every earthen vessel eventually meets its end, every individual will face death.
- Awareness of Mortality: By comparing life to earthen vessels, the Buddha encourages mindfulness of mortality. Recognizing the transient nature of existence can inspire individuals to live meaningfully and with purpose.
Conclusion
The breaking of earthen vessels serves as a poignant reminder of the inevitable nature of death. This analogy not only highlights the fragility of life but also invites individuals to reflect on their own mortality. Embracing this truth can lead to a deeper appreciation of life and motivate one to live with intention and compassion.

What should one do to obtain peace of mind and overcome sorrow?
  • a)
    Continue weeping and grieving
  • b)
    Seek solace in lamentation, complaint, and grief
  • c)
    Distance oneself from all emotions
  • d)
    Embrace sorrow and pain
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

The passage suggests that peace of mind and freedom from sorrow can be achieved by withdrawing the arrow of lamentation, complaint, and grief. By letting go of these negative emotions, one can find peace within oneself. This process involves moving away from excessive mourning and instead focusing on inner composure and acceptance.

What was the condition set by the Buddha for the mustard seed that Kisa Gotami needed to bring?
  • a)
    Must be from a house without any children
  • b)
    Must be from a house untouched by grief
  • c)
    Must be from a house without any parents
  • d)
    Must be from a house where no one had ever died
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Nk Classes answered
b) Must be from a house where no one had ever died.
In this chapter, the Buddha instructs Kisa Gotami to bring a mustard seed from a household that has not experienced death. She soon discovers that every family has faced the loss of loved ones, helping her understand the universal nature of suffering and the inevitability of death. This lesson emphasizes the Buddhist teaching on the impermanence of life.

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