English — Language and Literature (184) — CBSE Class 10 board question

Through the story of Kisa Gotami, the Buddha taught the following important lessons to common people:

1. Death is universal. The Buddha taught that no one can escape death — young or old, wise or foolish, all are subject to death. As all earthen pots end in being broken, so is the life of mortals.

1. Grief is selfish. Kisa Gotami realised, "How selfish am I in my grief!" Death is common to all, and excessive mourning only adds to one's own suffering.

1. No one can prevent death. Even a father cannot save his son, nor kinsmen their relations. Death cannot be avoided by anyone.

1. Lamentation brings no peace. Weeping and grieving cannot bring back the dead; they only cause further physical and mental suffering.

1. Surrender selfishness to attain peace. One who draws out the arrow of grief and overcomes sorrow becomes free and blessed.

1. Acceptance leads to immortality. He who surrenders selfishness and accepts the truth of death finds the path that leads to true peace.

Source: Chapter 8 — 'The Sermon at Benares'

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• Examiners expect you to cover both the story of Kisa Gotami and the Buddha's sermon, since the question asks what the Buddha "preached."
• Use points from the passage directly; paraphrase, don't just copy.
• Six marks = approximately 6 key points or 3 short paragraphs. This answer gives 6 labelled points, which is neat and examiner-friendly.
• The key ideas are: universality of death, futility of grief, acceptance, and inner peace — make sure all four appear.