The Sermon at Benares-

First Flight - Lesson No. 10. The Sermon at Benares - Glossary, Questions, And Answers - THANK YOU LEONARD LAUB https://unsplash.com/photos/...

First Flight - Lesson No. 10.

The Sermon at Benares -

Glossary, Questions, And Answers -

THANK YOU LEONARD LAUB

https://unsplash.com/photos/gold-buddha-figurine-gU0GHlv_GmM?utm_content=creditShareLink&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash

Glossary - 

1. Sermon - religious or moral talk.

2. Sacred - holy.

3. Scripture - religious book.

4. Befitted royalty - lived as a king or queen.

5. heretofore - before.

6. monk - a member of a religious group, a saint.

7. alms - money, food, and clothes given to poor people.

8. enlightenment - a state of high spiritual knowledge.

9. vowed - swear.

10. dipping places - bathing.

11. inscrutable - difficult to understand.

12. Grief - sorrow.

13. repaired - went to.

14. weary - tired.

15. reigned - to rule.

16. valley of desolation - an area that is filled with deep sorrow.

17. mortals - those bound to die.

18. kinsmen - relatives.

19. lamenting - an expression of sorrow.

20. Grieve - sadness.

21. composed - made or formed.

Summary - Prince Siddhartha Gautama was born into a wealthy family in ancient India. Despite a life of luxury, he was deeply troubled by the suffering he witnessed in the world. Determined to find a solution, he renounced his princely life and set out on a spiritual journey. After years of meditation and seeking wisdom, he attained enlightenment under a Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India. Upon this realization, he became known as Buddha, or "the enlightened one." He spent the rest of his life teaching others about his path to enlightenment and the cessation of suffering.

In the village, there was a lady called Kisa Gotami, whose son died, and she was deeply touched by the loss of her son, somehow she wanted to make her son alive, and then somebody suggested she go to Buddha. To teach her the lesson of mortality, he asked her to bring a handful of mustard seeds from the house where nobody had died. She could not find such a house, and finally, she realized that death is unavoidable, the being who had taken birth on this earth, one day, he will die, sooner or later. So, with the help of a simple example, Lord Buddha taught her the lesson that, No human being is immortal' and helped the poor lady Kisa Gotami to come out of her grief.

Questions and Answers -

1. Kisa Gotami goes from house to house when her son dies. What does she ask for? Does she get it? Why not?

Ans - When her son dies, she goes from house to house and asks for the medicine that would make her son alive, and she does not get it, because no medicine in the world could make a dead person alive.

2. Kisa Gotami again goes from house to house after she speaks with the Buddha. What does she ask for, the second time around? Does she get it? Why not?

Ans - After Kisa Gotami speaks with the Buddha, again she goes from house to house and asks for a handful of mustard seeds, as said by the Buddha. She does not get it because the Lord Buddha told her to bring it from the house where no child, brother, sister, mother, or father had ever died.

3. What does Kisa Gotami understand the second time that she failed to understand the first time? Was this what the Buddha wanted her to understand?

Ans -The second time, Kisa Gotami understands that death is common to all beings and it is unavoidable. The Buddha wanted her to understand this, therefore she could not find any house where nobody had ever died.

4. Why do you think Kisa Gotami understood this only the second time? In what way did the Buddha change her understanding?

Ans - Kisa Gotami understood the bitter truth of death only the second time because, in her first attempt, she was deeply concerned about her dead son. Because of great affection, she could not understand it, but when Buddha asked her to bring a handful of mustard seeds from the deathless house, she understood the bitter truth of death, and the Lord Buddha made her know it with a very simple example.

5. How do you understand the idea of 'selfishness'? Do you agree with Kisa Gotami that she was being ' selfish in her grief'?

Ans - When one is thinking about the well-being of oneself and not thinking about others, is an emotional trigger of a human being, and it is a common emotional quality because more or less, we all are selfish, only a true saint, a monk or a child could have the divine quality of selflessness. Yes, I do agree with Kisa Gotami because she had lost her son and anyone could become selfish in such a miserable situation.

Thinking about Language -

1. This text is written in an old-fashioned style, for it reports an incident more than two millennia old. Look for the following words and phrases in the text, and try to rephrase them in more current language, based on how you understand them.

1. Give thee medicine for thy child.

2. Pray tell me.

3. Kisa repaired to the Buddha.

4. There was no house but someone had died in it.

5. Kinsmen.

6. Mark!

Ans -

1. Give the medicine to your child.

2. Please tell me.

3. Kisa went to the Buddha.

4. There was no house where someone hadn't died in it.

5. Relatives or dear and near ones.

6. 'Pay attention" or 'Take note"

2. Here is a sentence from the text that uses a semicolon to combine clauses. Break up the sentence into three simple sentences. Which has a better rhyme when you read it, the single sentence using semicolons, or the three simple sentences?

For there is not any means by which those who have been born can avoid dying; after reaching old age there is death; of such a nature are living beings.

Ans - It's three simple sentences can be -

1. There is no means by which one can avoid dying those who have been born.

2. After reaching an old age there is death.

3. All living beings have such a nature.

1. Teaching someone to understand a new or difficult idea

Teaching is a skill that involves not only imparting knowledge but also helping others to comprehend and apply it. Sometimes, the ideas we want to teach are new or difficult for our learners, and we need to find effective ways to explain them. Here are some tips on how to do that:

• Know your audience: Before you start teaching, you should have a clear idea of who your learners are, what they already know, and what they want to learn. This will help you tailor your approach and use appropriate examples, analogies, and language.
• Break it down: A new or difficult idea can be overwhelming if presented as a whole. To make it easier for your learners, you should break it down into smaller and simpler parts, and explain each one separately. You can also use visual aids, such as diagrams, charts, or graphs, to illustrate the parts and how they relate.
• Connect it to what they know: One of the best ways to help someone understand a new or difficult idea is to connect it to something they already know or are familiar with. This will help them activate their prior knowledge and make sense of the new information. To make the connection, you can use analogies, metaphors, stories, or examples from their own experience or context.
• Check for understanding: As you teach, you should constantly check if your learners are following along and grasping the idea. You can do this by asking questions, giving quizzes, or asking them to summarize or apply what they learned. You should also encourage them to ask questions, clarify doubts, or share feedback. This will help you identify any gaps or misconceptions and address them accordingly.
• Reinforce and review: To ensure that your learners retain and remember the new or difficult idea, you should reinforce and review it frequently. You can do this by repeating the key points, highlighting the main takeaways, or giving them practice exercises or homework. You should also provide them with feedback, praise, or encouragement to motivate them and boost their confidence.

Teaching someone to understand a new or difficult idea can be challenging, but also rewarding. By following these tips, you can make your teaching more effective and enjoyable for both you and your learners. Happy teaching! 🍎

2. Helping each other to get over difficult times, giving an example of a small story

Life is full of ups and downs, and sometimes we face situations that are hard to cope with. In such times, we need the support and comfort of our friends and family, who can help us get through the challenges and difficulties. Here is a small story that illustrates how helping each other can make a difference in our lives.

Riya and Ravi have been best friends since childhood. They grew up together, went to the same school, and shared their dreams and aspirations. They always helped each other with their studies, hobbies, and personal problems. They were inseparable and happy.

One day, Riya got the news that her father had passed away in a car accident. She was devastated and heartbroken. She felt like her world had collapsed and she had no reason to live. She isolated herself from everyone, stopped going to school, and lost interest in everything.

Ravi was worried about his friend. He tried to call her, text her, and visit her, but she refused to talk to him or anyone else. He felt helpless and sad. He wanted to do something to cheer her up and bring her back to life.

He decided to write her a letter, telling her how much he cared for her and how much he missed her. He reminded her of all the good times they had together, and how they had overcome many obstacles with their friendship. He told her that he understood her pain, but he also believed that she was strong and brave enough to face it. He told her that he was always there for her, no matter what. He asked her to come back to him, and to the world.

He left the letter at her doorstep, along with a bouquet of her favorite flowers and a teddy bear. He hoped that she would read it and feel his love and support.

The next day, he got a call from Riya. She sounded weak and tearful, but also grateful and hopeful. She thanked him for his letter, his gifts, and his friendship. She told him that he was the best thing that ever happened to her and that he had given her a reason to live again. She told him that she wanted to see him and hug him.

Ravi was overjoyed and relieved. He rushed to her house and embraced her warmly. They cried together but also smiled together. They felt a new bond of trust and understanding between them. They decided to help each other heal and grow from their loss.

They resumed their normal lives, went back to school, and pursued their dreams. They faced many more challenges and difficulties in their lives, but they never gave up on each other or themselves. They helped each other get over the hard times and celebrated the good times. They remained best friends forever.

This story shows us how helping each other can make a huge difference in our lives. When we are going through tough times, we need someone who can listen to us, empathize with us, encourage us, and inspire us. We need someone who can make us feel loved, valued, and hopeful. We need someone who can help us get over the difficult times.

We can be that someone for others too. We can help our friends and family by being there for them, showing them our care and concern, giving them our time and attention, sharing our wisdom and experience, giving them our advice and feedback, giving them our gifts and surprises, by giving them our hugs and smiles.

Helping each other is not only good for others but also for ourselves. It makes us feel happy, fulfilled, and meaningful. It strengthens our relationships and enriches our lives. It makes us better people.

So let’s help each other get over the difficult times. Let’s be kind, compassionate, generous, supportive, loyal, faithful friends to each other. Let’s make this world a better place for everyone 🌎

3. Thinking about oneself as unique, or as one among billions of others-

How do you think about yourself? Do you see yourself as a unique and special individual, or as one among billions of others? How does this affect your self-esteem, your goals, and your relationships?

There is no right or wrong answer to this question, as both perspectives have their advantages and disadvantages. Let’s explore them in more detail.

Thinking of oneself as unique

Thinking of oneself as unique means recognizing and appreciating one’s own personality, talents, skills, interests, values, beliefs, and experiences. It means having a sense of identity and purpose and expressing oneself authentically and creatively. It means being confident and proud of who one is, and what one can do.

Some of the benefits of thinking of oneself as unique are:

• It can boost one’s self-esteem and self-worth, as one feels valued and respected for one’s individuality.
• It can motivate one to pursue one’s passions and dreams, as one feels inspired and empowered to make a difference in the world.
• It can foster one’s personal growth and development, as one seeks to learn new things, improve oneself, and overcome challenges.
• It can enhance one’s relationships with others, as one can connect with people who share similar interests, values, or goals, and appreciate their diversity.

Some of the drawbacks of thinking of oneself as unique are:

• It can lead to narcissism and arrogance, as one becomes too self-centered and self-important, and disregards the needs and feelings of others.
• It can cause isolation and loneliness, as one feels misunderstood or rejected by others who are different from oneself, or who do not appreciate one’s uniqueness.
• It can create unrealistic expectations and pressure, as one strives to be perfect or exceptional in everything, and feels disappointed or frustrated when one fails or faces criticism.
• It can hinder one’s cooperation and collaboration with others, as one becomes too competitive or defensive, and resists feedback or compromise.

Thinking of oneself as one among billions

Thinking of oneself as one among billions means acknowledging and accepting that one is not alone in this world, but part of a larger community of human beings. It means having a sense of belonging and responsibility and contributing to the common good. It means being humble and grateful for what one has, and what others do for one.

Some of the benefits of thinking of oneself as one among billions are:

• It can increase one’s empathy and compassion, as one becomes more aware and sensitive to the feelings and situations of others, and tries to help them or support them.
• It can foster one’s social skills and network, as one becomes more open and friendly to others, and builds trust and rapport with them.
• It can enhance one’s happiness and well-being, as one feels connected and valued by others, and enjoys sharing and receiving love and kindness.
• It can promote one’s teamwork and leadership skills, as one learns to work with others towards a common goal and respect their opinions and roles.

Some of the drawbacks of thinking of oneself as one among billions are:

• It can lower one’s self-esteem and self-worth, as one feels insignificant or inferior to others who are more successful or popular than oneself.
• It can diminish one’s motivation and ambition, as one feels content or complacent with what one has or does, and does not seek to improve oneself or achieve more.
• It can limit one’s creativity and individuality, as one conforms to the norms or expectations of others, and suppresses or sacrifices one’s own preferences or desires.
• It can reduce one’s independence and autonomy, as one depends on others for validation or guidance, and follows their decisions or directions.

Finding a balance

As we can see, both ways of thinking about oneself have their pros and cons. The key is to find a balance between them. To do that, we need to:

• Recognize that we are both unique and similar to others. We have our own strengths and weaknesses. We have our own goals and challenges. We have our own opinions and biases. We are not better or worse than anyone else. We are just different and alike in many ways.
• Appreciate our uniqueness and our commonality. We should celebrate our individuality and our humanity. We should express ourselves and listen to others. We should pursue our passions and contribute to society. We should be proud of ourselves and grateful for others.
• Respect ourselves and others. We should value ourselves and others. We should trust ourselves and others. We should help ourselves and others. We should learn from ourselves and others. We should love ourselves and others.

Thinking about oneself as unique, or as one among billions of others, is not a binary choice. It is a spectrum, and we can move along it depending on the situation and the context. The important thing is to be aware of how we think about ourselves, and how it affects our lives. By finding a balance, we can enjoy the best of both worlds and live a fulfilling and harmonious life 🌈

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Happiness will never come to those who fail to appreciate what they already have.                                 ---------- THE BUDDHA

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