Page 2 - LN4- QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Long Answer Type Question

Q.1.How did Buddha make Kisa Gotami realise about the reality of death ?

Ans. When Kisa’s only son had died, she went to Buddha. Being plunged into
deep grief, first she went to every neighbour, asking for medicine for her dead
son. She had lost all her senses and forgot that no medicine could bring back
the dead. Then she went to Buddha for making his son alive. Buddha asked her
to bring some mustard seeds from a house where no death had occurred. But
she couldn’t get find such a house. Buddha made her realise that death is
common to all. So in the midst of adverse circumstances, we should not
lament.

Value Based Questions

Q.1.How do you usually understand the idea of selfishness? Do you agree

with Kisa Gotami that she was ‘selfish’ on her grief? Is it natural for people to
be selfish at times? [Value Based Question]

Ans. ‘Selfishness’ means when a person does something only for his own
benefit or thinks only about himself/ herself. Kisa Gotami was selfish in
wanting her dead son to be alive. It was a mother’s love which had blinded her.
She was wrong in wanting that. She could not see the reality of life. It is
perfectly natural for anyone to be selfish at times. When this desire becomes
harmful to others or the demands become unrealistic, it is wrong. A little bit of
selfishness is there in generally everyone and it is natural to be so.

Q.2.How does Gautam Buddha make the human beings realize that death is
common to all ?
Ans.In his first sermon, Buddha makes the human being realise that death is
common to all. It is true that human life is full of troubles and grief. After the
death of the loved one, one’s feelings are combined with pain. But life can’t
stop here. Death is inevitable. It cannot be avoided. So in such adverse
situations, there is no use of crying and mourning. If we accept this universal
truth of inevitable death, it will not only lessen the pain but also help us to
tackle the situation.

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