Which of the following best describes the central theme of "The Sermon at Benares"?
Answer
The search for inner peace through renunciation
The correct answer is The search for inner peace through renunciation — Select option C, which matches the identified theme.
Step-by-step solution
- Read the poem and note the recurring idea of giving up worldly desires.
- Observe that the Buddha repeatedly advises detachment from wealth and power.
- Identify that the poem emphasises achieving peace by renouncing material attachments.
- Eliminate options A, B, and D because they focus on war, material wealth, and education, which are not the main focus.
- Select option C, which matches the identified theme.
Common mistake: Choosing "importance of education" because the poem mentions learning.
Concept tested: Central theme
Published · How this solution was prepared and checked
Related questions
- 1 Analyse how the poet creates a contrast between the Buddha’s teachings and the materialistic world in "The Sermon at Benares".
- 2 Write two words that describe the narrator’s tone in the sermon and quote one line from the poem that illustrates each tone.
- 3 According to the chapter 'The Sermon at Benares', which four sights did Prince Siddhartha encounter while out hunting that moved him to renounce his royal life?
- 4 In his sermon, what two analogies does the Buddha use to describe the mortality of human beings? Explain the significance of each analogy.
- 5 According to the sermon delivered by Buddha at Benares, how does lamenting over the death of a loved one affect a person, and how can one attain peace of mind?
- 6 Which literary device is employed in the line “The river of desire flows through the heart of men”?