NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English First Flight – Prose Chapter 8: The Sermon at Benares
The Sermon at Benares is an inspiring chapter from the Class 10 English First Flight textbook that introduces students to the teachings of Gautama Buddha and the importance of understanding the reality of life and death. The lesson revolves around the story of Kisa Gotami, a grieving mother who loses her only child and desperately seeks a way to bring him back to life. Through her experience and Buddha’s wisdom, the chapter explains that death is a universal truth and that suffering can be overcome through acceptance and self-realization.
The chapter presents a powerful message about human emotions, attachment, and the temporary nature of worldly life. It encourages readers to develop patience, compassion, and inner peace during difficult situations. The simple yet meaningful narrative makes students reflect on the importance of wisdom over sorrow and teaches valuable life lessons that remain relevant even today. As part of the Class 10 NCERT syllabus, this chapter is important for board examinations because it includes extract-based questions, character analysis, and theme-based writing tasks. Studying well-prepared NCERT Solutions helps students understand the deeper meaning of the lesson and answer textbook questions confidently. For NCERT Solutions for Class 10, check out the NCERT solution for Class 10 English.
Find the PDF of NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English First Flight-Prose Chapter-8-The Sermon at Benares.
About the Chapter
The Sermon at Benares is based on the life and teachings of Gautama Buddha. The story highlights how Buddha guided Kisa Gotami to understand that death is inevitable and affects every family. He asks her to collect mustard seeds from a house where no one has ever died, helping her realize that loss is a part of human existence.
The lesson focuses on acceptance, wisdom, and freedom from excessive attachment. It inspires students to face life's challenges with courage and calmness while understanding that sorrow can be reduced through knowledge and self-control. The chapter combines spiritual values with practical life lessons, making it one of the most meaningful prose pieces in the textbook.
| Important Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Chapter Name | The Sermon at Benares |
| Book | First Flight (Class 10 English) |
| Chapter Type | Prose |
| Based On | Teachings of Gautama Buddha |
| Main Character | Kisa Gotami |
| Central Theme | Life, Death, Wisdom and Acceptance |
| Key Message | Death is universal and unavoidable |
| Important Value | Compassion, Patience and Self-Realization |
| Literary Style | Philosophical and Inspirational |
| Board Exam Importance | Important for extract, theme and value-based questions |
| Learning Outcome | Understanding human emotions and Buddhist philosophy |
| Moral Lesson | Acceptance of truth brings inner peace |
NCERT Solutions for this chapter provide clear explanations of every exercise and help students understand the philosophical ideas presented in simple language. They support effective revision by explaining difficult words, important concepts, and expected examination answers. Students also improve their writing and comprehension skills by practicing well-structured responses based on the chapter.
The lesson encourages readers to look beyond temporary sorrow and recognize that happiness and sadness are both natural parts of life. Gautama Buddha's teachings inspire people to control desires, overcome grief, and seek wisdom through understanding rather than emotion. The story of Kisa Gotami remains a timeless example of how knowledge can transform pain into acceptance. By studying this chapter carefully along with NCERT Solutions, students gain both academic confidence and valuable moral lessons that help shape a positive outlook towards life and its inevitable challenges.
FAQs for NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Chapter 8 The Sermon at Benares First Flight
Kisa Gotami learned the important lesson that death is a natural and unavoidable part of life. After the death of her only son, she was overwhelmed with grief and desperately searched for a way to bring him back to life. Buddha helped her understand reality by asking her to collect mustard seeds from a house where no one had ever died. During her search, she realized that every family had experienced loss. This understanding helped her accept the truth of human existence. Buddha’s teaching enabled her to overcome her sorrow and find peace through wisdom and acceptance.
Buddha asked Kisa Gotami to bring mustard seeds from a house untouched by death as a way of teaching her an important truth. He knew that such a house did not exist because death affects every family. Instead of directly explaining this fact, Buddha allowed her to discover it through her own experience. As she visited different homes, she learned that suffering and loss are universal. This realization gradually changed her perspective and helped her accept her son’s death. Buddha’s method demonstrated his wisdom and showed how personal understanding can be more effective than simple advice.
The central message of “The Sermon at Benares” is that death is inevitable and that attachment often causes suffering. The chapter teaches readers that all living beings are subject to birth, growth, and death. Buddha emphasizes that accepting this reality is essential for achieving peace of mind. The story encourages people to face grief with wisdom rather than becoming consumed by sorrow. Through Kisa Gotami’s experience, readers learn that suffering is a common part of human life and that understanding this truth can lead to emotional strength, maturity, and inner peace.
Kisa Gotami overcame her grief through the wisdom and guidance of Buddha. Initially, she was unable to accept her son’s death and desperately sought a miracle to revive him. However, while searching for mustard seeds from a house untouched by death, she discovered that every family had experienced loss. This realization helped her understand that death is a universal reality. Gradually, she let go of her attachment and accepted the truth of life. By gaining wisdom and understanding, she found peace and emotional strength. Her journey illustrates the healing power of acceptance and self-realization.