Leader - Arfa Khan

The leader should be chosen by their intellect, not by their looks- The partridge was the smallest in size yet it was chosen as the leader.

Self-realization and Respect- The animals realized that considering themselves superior is not going to work out and decided that there should be an authoritarian figure whom they will be willing to respect. 

Mutual agreement is necessary- The animals made a collective decision to choose the leader based on who the oldest was. Mutual agreement promotes harmony, fairness, and cooperation in various aspects of life.

Importance of leadership- Leadership provides guidance, vision, and direction to individuals and maintains order. Without it, there is a possibility of mishap. A true leader will work with the people to inspire and motivate them to achieve their full potential.

Arfa Khan

Grade 9

Ahlcon Public School

Refelctions & Questions - The Doon Girls School

Jataka Tales & The Hidden Life of Trees

How can trees create their own microclimate?

The author explains that trees create leafy humus that can store moisture, and their branches can slow winds and create calmer air within the forest. Over time, these conditions reduce evaporation and create moist soil with better water storage, allowing more trees to thrive.

 by (Sanskriti- VI)

In "The Peacock Wings," what I gather is that our life choices should prioritize goodness, embracing both the flaws and beauty of others.

by (Aadya- VI)

Woody Climate Control

When the annual leaffall of beech trees occurs, it creates an alkaline humus that has the capacity to store a significant amount of water.

by (Ibadat-VI)

The Key Endeavour of Jataka Tales - Sanvi Rai

The key endeavour of the Jataka tales is to teach people the value of a good life. Every jataka tale teaches the people the values of mankind and humanity in various aspects. The message conveyed by Buddha in these tales has great significance. 

From the story “The Fowler and the Quail” we can witness the power of unity and oneness the cooperation and the strength unity lies within is remarkably evident. Yes, the story did connect me today and taught a mesmerising lesson about being in a team and we should not split into factions which must destroy that union upon which our existence hangs. 

In essence, oneness is a feeling of interconnectedness and being spiritually related to one’s soul and heart. We gain the supreme power to see tranquillity and beauty around everyone and embedded in each soul. Religion is a complex system of beliefs and practices concerning the universe's existence, nature, and purpose. It typically involves devotion to a higher power. 

Sanvi Rai
Class 9
Sunbeam School, Bhagwanpur

Unity is Strenghth - Chitranshi Singh

Yes, the story connected with me because there is "Unity is strength.” When there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved. It has great value in all walks of life. When we are united then we can surmount any challenges and accomplish any goal. 

If we cooperate with each other, no one will be able to break us. But if we quarrel among ourselves, our enemies will take advantage of this and defeat us. 

This chapter, very beautifully, highlights the same fact likewise in this chapter, the leader of the quail told them to put their head through the net and told them to fly together with the net and go to the place which they liked.

Chitranshi Singh 

Sunbeam School, Varanasi Bhagwanpur

Jataka Tales - Simrat Kaur

Jataka tales are a treasure trove of wisdom, comprising a vast collection of folklore and moral anecdotes originating from the Buddhist tradition. These tales are not only entertaining but also profoundly insightful, offering readers valuable lessons about life, morality, and human nature.

One of the reasons people are drawn to Jataka tales is their timeless relevance. Despite originating over two millennia ago, these stories touch upon universal themes that resonate with people of all cultures and backgrounds. Whether it's tales of kindness, compassion, greed, or folly, the characters and situations depicted in Jataka tales are relatable and offer valuable insights into the human condition.

Another aspect that makes Jataka tales compelling is their use of animal characters. By anthropomorphizing animals, these stories make complex moral concepts accessible to readers of all ages. Animals such as monkeys, elephants, and birds serve as allegorical figures, embodying virtues and vices that mirror human behaviour. Through their adventures and struggles, readers are encouraged to reflect on their own actions and choices, fostering empathy and self-awareness.

Furthermore, Jataka tales provide cultural and historical context for understanding Buddhist teachings and principles. Many of these stories are believed to have been told by the Buddha himself as part of his teachings on morality and compassion. As such, they offer valuable insights into Buddhist philosophy and ethics, illustrating concepts such as karma, rebirth, and the path to enlightenment.

Beyond their moral and philosophical significance, Jataka tales also serve as a form of entertainment. The vivid storytelling, colourful characters, and imaginative plots captivate readers, transporting them to a world filled with adventure, intrigue, and wonder. Whether it's the cunning antics of the Monkey King, the loyalty of the Bodhisattva's animal companions, or the wisdom of the talking parrot, Jataka tales never fail to engage and delight audiences.

In conclusion, people read Jataka tales for their timeless wisdom, universal appeal, cultural significance, and sheer entertainment value. These stories continue to inspire and enlighten readers of all ages, reminding us of the enduring power of storytelling to impart moral lessons and foster understanding across generations and cultures.

Simrat Kaur

Grade- 9

Sunbeam School, Bhagwanpur

Sunbeam bhagwanpur

Jataka Tales 📹 - Adwik Gupta

What Are Jataka Tales?

Sunday School Reflections From Jataka Tales- 

1. Why do we read about the Jataka Tales?

2. Did the story connect with you today, and why? 

3. What learnings can we take from the story "The Guilty Dogs"?

4. Thinking calmly and not hastily

5. Being Humble

 

Jataka Tales 📹 - Parth Tulsyan

What are Jataka Tales?

Sunday School Reflections From Jataka Tales- 

1. Why do we read about the Jataka Tales?

2. Did the story connect with you today, and why? 

3. What learnings can we take from the story "The Guilty Dogs"?

4. Thinking calmly and not hastily

5. Being Humble

 

What Are Jataka Tales? - Tejas Kumar

Jataka tales are ancient Buddhist stories recounting the previous lives of Gautama Buddha. These tales, numbering over 500, depict moral dilemmas and lessons through various characters, often animals or humans. 

Each story revolves around virtues like compassion, generosity, and wisdom, reflecting Buddhist teachings. Jataka tales serve as both entertainment and moral instruction, conveying ethical principles and spiritual wisdom to audiences across cultures.

Tejas Kumar

Grade- IX

Sunbeam School, Lahartara

The Guilty Dogs -Saksham Agrawal

The Guilty Dogs' story reflects that you should not follow four evil practices-  Partiality, Ignorance, Anger, and Disliking others. You should stand for injustice, not easily pass judgment, and think you are always right. You should listen to everyone.

Dogs were far better than humans in the story we can reflect that dogs were behaving very rationally and did not react very easily and fast. They did not bite the king even after the king behaved very bad.

-Saksham Agrawal IX 

Sunbeam Hostel, Lahartara

The Guilty Dog - The Doon Girls School Reflections

The Guilty Dog (Jataka Tales)- Reflection

"Be humble, don't turn your feelings into emotions". by (Stuti - IX)

"Jataka Tales is about Buddhism and Buddha's life incidence. In this chapter, the dog mainly toured the king's favourite dress. And the rest of the story is the punishment given by the king to the dog and then the Buddha came or taught them the life lesson." (Aadya - VI)

"This lesson taught us that we had to be polite with everyone and we should always smile." (Ibadat - VI)

"In this chapter, the dog acted much better in a much more rational than the king." by (Riddhi -VI)

"In this chapter, the author tries to say that there is a king who doesn't think anything and gives the order to anyone whom he wants. Then the Lord Buddha was born as a dog who gives us a teaching of humanity and love. In the end, we reach the conclusion that- the poor will get blamed and the rich always escape, If you want to give judgment to anyone make sure you have a calm mind, we need to stand up for ourselves first and then stand for others, We need to think first before doing anything." by (Saumya Jha - VIII)

"This story was mainly based on ignorance, fear, truthfulness, kindness and honesty. We also get a lesson about being humble with everyone." by (Tamreen -IX)

The Learning of Jataka Tales - Animesh Kashyap

The Learning of Jataka Tales

Jataka tales are ancient stories from the Buddhist tradition that illustrate moral lessons through the adventures of both human and animal characters. 

Originating from India, these tales are believed to have been narrated by the Buddha himself as he recalled his past lives. Each story serves as a parable, offering insights into virtues such as compassion, wisdom, and kindness. 

Through encounters with greed, jealousy, and other human flaws, the characters in Jataka tales navigate moral dilemmas, ultimately leading to enlightenment and spiritual growth. These timeless narratives continue to captivate audiences worldwide, not only for their cultural and historical significance but also for the universal wisdom they impart.

-By Animesh Kashyap

-Class: IX-D

-Sunbeam Hostel Lahartara

What Are Jataka Tales? - Harsha Solanki

Jataka Tales

The jataka (meaning "Birth Story," "related to a birth") is a voluminous body of literature native to the Indian subcontinent which mainly concerns the previous births of Gautama Buddha in both human and animal form. Jataka stories were depicted on the railings and torans of the stupas.  According to Peter Skilling, this genre is "one of the oldest classes of Buddhist literature." Some of these texts are also considered great works of literature in their own right.

Jataka tales include an extensive cast of characters who interact and get into various kinds of trouble - whereupon the Buddha character intervenes to resolve all the problems and bring about a happy ending. The Jātaka genre is based on the idea that the Buddha could recollect all his past lives and t
hus could use these memories to tell a story and illustrate his teachings.

For the Buddhist traditions, the jātakas illustrate the many lives, acts and spiritual practices which are required on the long path to Buddhahood. They also illustrate the great qualities or perfection of the Buddha (such as generosity) and teach Buddhist moral lessons, particularly within the framework of karma and rebirth. Jātaka stories have also been illustrated in Buddhist architecture throughout the Buddhist world and they continue to be an important element in popular Buddhist art Some of the earliest such illustrations can be found at Sanchi and Bharhut.

Harsha Solanki

Grade 8

Sunbeam School & Hostel, Lahartara

Jataka Tales - Pranjal Yadav

Jatakas were the tales that were probably composed by ordinary people, and then written down and preserved by Buddhist monks. Jataka stories are mostly related to previous births of Gautama Buddha in both human and animal form.

Jataka tales are extremely popular stories of the former lives of the Buddha, which are preserved in all branches of Buddhism. Some Jataka tales are scattered in various sections of the Pali canon of Buddhist writings

-Pranjal Yadav 

 -Vlll 'A'

Sunbeam Hostels Lahartara

All's Well That Ends Well - Shambhavi Nautiyal

I feel like I did connect with the story in some way as I could resonate with the goat when it felt happy for itself being freed and sorry for the person next in line for sinning. 

I too have been in a situation like that, where I did something wrong and realised it as soon as I had the asseveration of whoever I had wronged and just wished to be freed from that burden with the same thing happening to me. 

Soon the same scenario was created and I felt better that, at that time, I was on the right side but I felt bad seeing the other person going through the same thing I did years ago I tried convincing them at times and sometimes I did not. 

But regardless of the final story, it was all pre-destined, whether I was left disappointed, I enforced my boundaries and protected my energy or they listened to me and tried mending my ways, one thing holds absolute truth and It's that no one is indeed aggrieved. It is all fair, happening just the way it’s supposed to in line with those people’s past deeds.

IN THE END, ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL.

Shambhavi Nautiyal 

Class- 10

Ahlcon Public School

What Are Jataka Tales? - Shambhavi Nautiyal

What are Jataka Tales? What do you know about them?

Jataka Tales are a voluminous body of literature which is a compound of stories from the life of Gautam Buddha as well as his previous births.

In these stories, the future Buddha may appear as a king, an outcast, a deva, an animal—but, in whatever form, he exhibits some virtue that the tale thereby inculcates. Often, Jātaka tales include an extensive cast of characters who interact and get into various kinds of trouble - whereupon the Buddha character intervenes to resolve all the problems and bring about a happy ending. The Jātaka genre is based on the idea that the Buddha was able to recollect all his past lives and thus could use these memories to tell a story and illustrate his teachings.

Did the story connect with you today and why?

I think, yes, it did connect with me in some manner. For instance, I like that the king, at least, tried providing for his illegitimate child in the form of a signet ring, because that doesn’t happen often. Most of the time, women get estranged in such cases, by both their parents and the father of the child.

I was also able to relate when the king tried denying the fact that it was his son who had come to the court since although it wasn’t upright, it’s something we all have done in our lives- trying to deny a mistake due to shame and fear of being judged but I was glad when the kind got over it and owned his ‘mistake’ as he had thought.

And I feel like we all can take away something from this, even after thousands of years,i.e., that no child should be denied their parental love despite whatever society might think. This resonates with a thought I came across right after the class, “You need to fully experience the karmic cycle to break free from it” as only after he tried denying it did he realise its ramifications and started operating from a standpoint of love.

So for me, the moral of the story is ‘Own whatever you do, because, after some point, they will get to know about it anyway.'

Shambhavi Nautiyal 

Class- 10

Ahlcon Public School