CBSE Class 10 · English · board exam 2027
Chapter 8: The Sermon at Benares — notes
The chapter’s 6 parts in the book’s order — the first idea of each and the points Medha Ma’am writes on the board — and the summary at the end. The full lesson and a check question for each part are in the app.
1. Death cannot be avoided
Okay, so let's start with the sermon's first truth.
- • No one born can avoid dying.
- • After old age there is death.
- • Ripe fruits fall early — so mortals face death.
- • Earthen vessels end in being broken.
- • Young, adult, fools, wise — all are subject to death.
2. No one can save another from death
Okay, so — now the sermon tells us something harder.
- • A father cannot save his son.
- • Kinsmen = relatives.
- • Lamentation = expression of sorrow.
- • Mortals carried off like an ox to the slaughter.
- • Afflicted with = affected by suffering, disease or pain.
- • The wise do not grieve, knowing the terms of the world.
3. Draw out the arrow of grief
Okay, so now the Buddha explains why weeping doesn't help.
- • Weeping brings no peace of mind.
- • Pain grows; the body suffers.
- • The dead are not saved by lamentation.
- • Draw out the arrow of lamentation, complaint, grief.
- • Composed → peace of mind.
- • Overcome sorrow → free from sorrow, blessed.
4. Kisa Gotami's two searches
Okay, so this sermon is the advice the Buddha gave to a grief-stricken woman, Kisa Gotami.
- • Her son dies; she goes from house to house.
- • Kisa repaired to the Buddha = she went to him.
- • She goes from house to house a second time.
- • No house but someone had died in it.
- • She sees she was 'selfish in her grief'.
5. Joining clauses with semicolons
Okay, so this story is written in an old style.
- • Join clauses with ; or — when no joining word fits.
- • 1. There is not any means to avoid dying.
- • 2. After reaching old age there is death.
- • 3. Of such a nature are living beings.
6. Grief today
Okay, so the Buddha's sermon is very old — over 2500 years old.
- • Grief: natural to all loss or significant change.
- • Sadness, anger, guilt, anxiety, loneliness, fatigue, disbelief.
- • Help: be patient; show you care.
- • No set form for grief; no 'right' way.
- • 'We are not to ask why, but what.'
Summary
Okay, so let's go over what we learnt today. The sermon first teaches that no one born can avoid dying. Ripe fruits fall, earthen vessels break, that's the nature of things. Young or adult, fool or wise — death doesn't spare anyone. Then it shows something else, a father cannot save his son, kinsmen cannot save their relations. So the wise don't grieve. Why? Because they know the terms of the world. Weeping brings no peace of mind. Only drawing out the arrow of lamentation, complaint and grief makes you composed, free from sorrow, and blessed. Remember Kisa Gotami? She went from house to house a second time after speaking with the Buddha. And what did she find? Not a single house where someone hadn't died. We also learnt how to join clauses using a semicolon. And we compared this sermon with two recent texts, both saying grief is natural, and it has no fixed form. Now tell me — why do you think the wise are told not to grieve?
AskMedha · Medha Ma’am — CBSE Class 10 English, Chapter 8. Written from the textbook, checked twice.
Questions parents and students ask
- How do I get the "The Sermon at Benares" notes as a PDF?
- Press "Save as PDF" — the phone’s print sheet opens; choose "Save as PDF" there. The PDF holds the notes only.
- Where are these notes written from?
- From the chapter’s own textbook text, part by part, in the book’s own terms; a second, independent model then checked every part against the book. The full lesson, a check question for each part and the practice are in the AskMedha app.
The same preparation, with Medha Ma’am — on your phone
Every question of every chapter with its model answer, practice questions in the board’s own shapes, 60 minutes of class a day, written answers marked, a test every Sunday and a WhatsApp report to parents.
Medha Ma’am is an AI teacher, not a live tutor. Every answer is checked twice; a person takes responsibility.