CBSE Class 10 English NCERT Solutions: Chapter 10 - The Sermon at Benaras

The chapter 'The Sermon at Benaras' recounts the religious teachings of Lord Buddha. In this specific context, the word 'sermon' refers to a discourse delivered on religious or moral subjects, focusing on themes like life, death, and suffering. This aligns with the first definition provided: 'a talk on a religious or moral subject'.

(b) What could be the examples for the different contexts according to you?

Here are examples for the different contexts of the word 'sermon':

1. A talk on a religious or moral subject: An example would be a spiritual leader delivering a speech on ethical living, compassion, or the nature of reality during a religious gathering.
2. A long or monotonous piece of admonition or caution or a warning, a lecture: An example could be a parent repeatedly advising their child about road safety, or a teacher giving a lengthy lecture on discipline that feels repetitive to the students.

(c) When your parents or elders say something, you say, "Oh, not again!" When do you say so and why?

A child might say, "Oh, not again!" when parents or elders offer advice, warnings, or lectures on topics such as behaviour, safety, or life choices. This reaction often stems from a feeling that the advice is repetitive, unnecessary, or perceived as an imposition on their independence. Children may feel they are already aware of the advice or that their elders are restricting their freedom by constantly guiding their actions.

Both 'The Sermon at Benaras' and Canon Henry Scott Holland's poem 'Death Is Nothing At All' address the profound themes of life, death, and continuity, offering a sense of peace and reassurance.

Similarities:

• Theme of Continuity: Both texts suggest that death is not an end but a transition, emphasizing the continuity of life and relationships. Buddha speaks of the impermanence of worldly things but also the continuity of the cycle of life, while Holland explicitly states, "There is absolute and unbroken continuity."
• Philosophy on Death: Both speakers present a philosophical view that diminishes the fear of death. Buddha teaches that suffering arises from attachment and desire, and understanding impermanence can lead to peace. Holland describes death as a "negligible accident" and a brief separation, reassuring that nothing is truly lost.
• Focus on Inner Peace: Both messages aim to provide solace and encourage inner peace by reframing the understanding of death and loss. They encourage acceptance and a focus on the enduring nature of existence and connection.
• Situation/Speaker's Stance: Both speakers, Buddha and Holland, are in positions of spiritual or moral authority, delivering messages intended to guide and comfort their audience through the difficult realities of life and death.

Differences:

• Context and Origin: Buddha's sermon is a foundational teaching in Buddhism, delivered in ancient India, focusing on the Four Noble Truths and the path to enlightenment. Holland's poem is a more personal, modern reflection from a Christian priest, written in 1910, offering comfort to the bereaved.
• Emphasis: Buddha's sermon strongly emphasizes the causes of suffering (attachment, desire) and the path to overcome it through detachment and the Eightfold Path. The poem 'Death Is Nothing At All' focuses more directly on reassuring the living that the deceased are still present in spirit and that the bond remains unbroken, downplaying the finality of death.
• Nature of Explanation: Buddha's discourse is a structured teaching explaining the nature of reality and the path to liberation. Holland's poem is lyrical and metaphorical, using imagery like 'slipping away into the next room' to describe the transition.