CBSE Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 8 Summary PDF

CBSE Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 8 Summary: We have provided a summary of Chapter 8, The Sermon at Benares, from the CBSE Class 10 English First Flight textbook. This chapter highlights an important episode from Gautama Buddha's life. 

After attaining enlightenment, Buddha gave his first sermon at Benares, where he taught about the inevitability of death and the impermanence of life. Through the story of Kisa Gotami, who loses her only son, Buddha explains that grief and suffering are universal. He emphasizes detachment and the importance of overcoming sorrow by understanding the natural cycle of life and death.

CBSE Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 8 The Sermon at Benares Summary

This chapter shares the teachings of Lord Buddha, who was originally born as a prince named Siddhartha Gautama in North India. At the age of twelve, he was sent away to learn the holy Hindu texts. After four years, he returned, got married, and had a son. For many years, he lived a luxurious royal life, unaware of the pain and suffering in the world.

One day, while out on a trip, he saw a sick man, an old man, a funeral, and a monk who had given up everything. These sights deeply affected him, and he decided to leave his royal life to search for truth and an end to human suffering. After years of deep thinking and meditation, he found enlightenment under a tree, which he named the Bodhi Tree. From then on, he became known as the Buddha, meaning the Enlightened One, and started to teach others what he had learned. His first sermon was delivered in Benares, a holy city near the Ganges River.

In one of his sermons, Buddha spoke about a woman named Kisa Gotami. Her only son had died, and she was heartbroken. Desperate to bring him back to life, she went door to door asking for help. People believed she had lost her senses due to grief. Eventually, someone guided her to Buddha. When she asked for help, Buddha gave her a task: to bring mustard seeds from a household where no one had ever died. She searched everywhere but couldn’t find a single home without loss. This made her realise that death is a part of life and that no one can avoid it.

Through this story, Buddha explained that sorrow and grief only increase suffering. Instead, one should accept the truth of life and death calmly. A wise person understands that everything in life is temporary. By letting go of grief, people can find peace and live happier life.

Conclusion of The Sermon at Benares  Chapter 8 English

The Sermon at Benares conveys Lord Buddha’s message about the reality of life and death. The story of Kisa Gotami it teaches that death is inevitable and universal. Grief only deepens suffering, and true wisdom lies in accepting the natural cycle of life. By overcoming attachment and understanding that everything in life is temporary, one can attain peace. Buddha’s teachings inspire people to live with compassion, awareness, and inner strength in the face of life’s hardships.

CBSE Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 8 Summary PDF

Below, we have provided the PDF summary of Chapter 8 The Sermon at Benares from the CBSE Class 10 English First Flight textbook. This chapter shares the teachings of Lord Buddha, focusing on the inevitability of death and the importance of accepting life’s realities.

 Through Kisa Gotami’s story, Buddha explains that sorrow and loss are universal. He encourages detachment from worldly attachments to attain peace. His message teaches wisdom, compassion, and how to rise above grief through understanding and acceptance.