THE SERMON AT BENARAS - X

The phrase “most holy of the dipping places on the River Ganges” refers to which city where the sermon was delivered?

• Bodh Gaya

• Kapilavastu

• Benares

• Sarnath

In the text it is said: “For there is not any means by which those that have been born can avoid dying; after reaching old age there is death…” The figure of speech used in the comparison with “ripe fruits … so mortals … when born are always in danger of death” is:

• Personification

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Hyperbole

Which of these incidents did the Prince (later Buddha) not witness that triggered his renunciation?

• Sick man

• Aged man

• Lightning strike

• Funeral procession

What did the woman Kisa Gotami carry from house to house?

• A handful of mustard seed

• Her dead child’s body

• A request for medicine to revive her son

• A petition to the king

The condition the Buddha set: the mustard-seed must be taken “from a house where no one has lost a child, husband, parent or friend.” What is its symbolic meaning?

• That mustard seed is very rare

• That the family must be wealthy

• That no such house exists, implying death is universal

• That only monks should donate seeds

The statement “the world is afflicted with death and decay, therefore the wise do not grieve, knowing the terms of the world” most closely means:

• Wise people are emotionless

• Wise people do not love their relatives

• Wise people avoid all sadness

• Wise people understand suffering is inevitable and do not waste themselves in futile grief

Which of these is not one of the similes used for the fragility of mortal life?

• “As ripe fruits are early in danger of falling”

• “As all earthen vessels … end in being broken”

• “Like an ox that is led to the slaughter”

• “Like the snow melting in spring”

According to the chapter, what is the effect of lamentation, complaint and grief?

• They speed up healing

• They bring back the dead

• They increase pain, make the body suffer and prevent peace of mind

• They protect us from decay

Which among these words best describes Kisa Gotami’s state when she approached the Buddha?

• Calm

• Desperate

• Joyful

• Detached

The author uses the term “mortals” to refer to human beings. What nuance does this bring?

• Humans are immortal

• Humans are gods

• Humans are subject to death

• Humans are superior to animals