The Sermon at Benares

Introduction/ Theme:

The Sermon at Benares tells us the early life of Buddha. He was born as a prince. He was married to a princes and had a son. He was shielded from the outside world. He led a luxurious life till he was exposed to the sufferings of the world. He left his palace, all the worldly pleasures, and went in search of salvation. After attaining spiritual awakening, he gave his first sermon in the city of Benares.

The only son of a woman named Kisa Gotami was dead. In her grief, she searched for medicine to bring him back to life. She was sent to Buddha. Buddha made her realize that all men are mortal and a wise person should not grieve at what is bound to happen for it only enhances pain and suffering.

Meanings:

Sacred =  related to God and religion

Scriptures =  the sacred writings of a religion

Befitted =  be appropriate for; suited

Chanced upon =  came across by chance

Alms =  money or food given to poor people; charity

Enlightenment =  a state of high spiritual knowledge

Wandered =  to move without a fixed course

Vowed =  solemnly promise to do a specified thing

Preached =  deliver a religious address to an assembled group of people

Sermon =  a talk on religious or moral subject

Holy =  sacred, righteousness

Dipping places =  bathing areas of a river or a water body

Inscrutable =  something which cannot be understood

Kinsmen =  a man who is one of a person’s blood relations

Lamenting =  expressing regret or disappointment about something

Slaughter =  killing of animals for food

Afflicted =  affected adversely, made to happen against

Summary:

Gautama Buddha was born to a North Indian royal family as a prince and was named Siddhartha Gautama. When he was twelve years old, he was sent to a faraway place to study Hindu sacred scriptures. He returned after four years and got married to a princess. They had a son and they continued to live the royal life for about ten years. The royals were shielded from all the unpleasant experiences of the outside world.

One day, while he was on his way for hunting, Siddhartha came across a sick man, an aged man, a funeral procession, and a monk begging for alms. He was troubled by the experience and wanted to find salvation for the sufferings. He wandered for seven years in search of spiritual knowledge. He sat under a peepal tree and attained salvation. He began preaching by giving his first sermon in the city of Benares.

There was a lady named Kisa Gotami whose only son had died. Suffering with unending pain and grief, she went from house to house looking for medicine to bring her son back to life. People started thinking that the lady had lost her senses. One day, she met a man who directed her towards Buddha. Buddha asked her to bring mustard seeds. He said that the seeds must be procured from a house that had seen no death. Kisa Gotami once again went on a search from house to house. Sadly, she could not find any home in which there were no deaths.

She was disheartened and sat looking at the city’s lights being lighted and extinguished. She realized that she had been selfish. She came to know that men were mortal and no one could escape it. This was what Buddha wanted her to understand. According to Buddha, feelings of grief and sorrow only increase man’s pain and suffering thus, deteriorating the health. Therefore, a wise person should be aware of nature’s functioning and must not grieve at something bound to happen. Only then he can be free of sorrow and be blessed.

Thinking About the Text (Answers to the questions given on Page 135)

 1. When her son dies, Kisa Gotami goes from house to house? What does she ask for? Does she get it? Why not?

After the death of her only son, Kisa Gotami was overcome with grief. She went from door to door asking for medicine. Nobody could provide any medicine. Because no medicine can bring a dead person back to life.

 2. Kisa Gotami again goes from house to house after she speaks with the Buddha. What does she ask for? Does she get it? Why not?

Buddha asks Kisa to bring a handful of mustard seeds from a house where there was no death. She went from door to door, but couldn’t find such a house. She could not get the seeds as death is inevitable and anyone is bound to die.

3. What does Kisa Gotami understand the second time that she failed to understand the first time? Was this what Buddha wanted her to understand?

She realised that death was common to all. She failed to understand it the first time as 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.

4. Why do you think Kisa Gotami understood this only the second time? In what way did Buddha change her understanding?

Earlier, she could see only her grief. When she went from door to door the second time, she understood that everyone was dealing with the loss of a beloved one. 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.

5. How do you usually understand the idea of selfishness? Do you agree with Kisa Gotami that she was being selfish in her grief?

A selfish person is one who thinks only about himself or herself. Kisa Gotami was being selfish. She could not accept the death of her only son. She couldn’t realise that we are humans and it is natural for us to die. Yes. I agree that she was being selfish in her grief.