“The Sermon at Benares” is one of the most inspiring lessons in the Class 10 English book. It tells us about Lord Buddha’s teachings on life, suffering, and peace.
The story begins with the early life of Prince Siddhartha, who left his royal comforts in search of truth. After long meditation and realization, he became the Buddha — the enlightened one. In his first sermon at Benares, he taught people that sorrow and death are part of human life, and no one can escape them.
Through the story of Kisa Gotami, Buddha explains that grief comes to everyone, and true wisdom lies in accepting the truth of life and detaching oneself from selfish desires.
This chapter teaches students the values of acceptance, compassion, and peace. It inspires us to remain calm and balanced even in difficult times — a lesson that remains timeless and universal.