Written by Betty Renshaw, this chapter retells the story of Gautama Buddha and one of his most profound teachings on death and suffering. Born a prince named Siddhartha Gautama, he was shielded from all sorrow, but the sight of a sick man, an old man, a funeral procession and a monk led him to leave his royal life in search of enlightenment, which he attained after years of seeking and meditation. The chapter focuses on the story of Kisa Gotami, a grief-stricken mother whose only son has died. She goes from house to house begging for medicine to revive him, until the Buddha asks her to bring a handful of mustard seed from a house where no one has ever died. She searches in vain, for death has visited every home, and slowly understands that death is common to all and that grief cannot be escaped. The sermon teaches that those who accept the inevitability of death overcome sorrow and find peace.
The story in 6 beats
1Gautama Buddha is born a prince, sees sickness, old age, and death, and leaves home to seek truth.
2After many years, he gains wisdom under a tree and begins teaching people about suffering and peace.
3At Benares, a woman named Kisa Gotami brings her dead son and begs the Buddha to save him.
4The Buddha asks her for a mustard seed from a house where no one has ever died.
5Kisa Gotami goes from house to house but finds that death has touched every family.
6She accepts the truth of death, leaves her son, and learns the Buddha's lesson about human sorrow.
The life of the BuddhaThe story of Kisa GotamiDeath as a universal truthOvercoming grief and sufferingWisdom and acceptance
Characters & key ideas
GGautama BuddhaThe prince Siddhartha who attained enlightenment and taught about suffering.
KKisa GotamiA grieving mother who learns that death comes to all.
MMustard seedThe symbol the Buddha uses to teach that death is universal.
SSufferingThe central reality the Buddha sought to understand and ease.
EEnlightenmentThe deep understanding the Buddha attained after long search.
IImpermanenceThe truth that life and all things must end.
Word meanings · शब्दार्थ
hermit
a person living alone for prayer
grief
deep sorrow
sorrowing
feeling great sadness
Mustard-seed
a small seed used as spice
mortal
human being who must die
lamentation
loud expression of grief
unfaltering
steady and not weakening
transient
lasting for a short time
inevitable
certain to happen
aright
correctly
Extra questions & answers (board-style)
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Practice quiz · The Sermon at Benares
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The Sermon at Benares
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