Significance of Jataka Tales- Anmol Kashyap

Jataka tales, originating from Buddhist literature, are profound narratives that carry immense significance across cultures. These stories depict the previous lives of the Buddha, known as Bodhisattva, before attaining enlightenment.

Through various characters and scenarios, Jataka tales convey moral teachings and spiritual wisdom. One key aspect of Jataka tales is their emphasis on virtues such as compassion, kindness, and selflessness. Each story showcases the Bodhisattva embodying these qualities, serving as an example for others to follow.

By illustrating the positive outcomes of virtuous actions, Jataka tales inspire readers to cultivate these qualities in their own lives. Furthermore, Jataka tales highlight the concept of karma, the law of cause and effect.

They illustrate how one's actions, both good and bad, shape their future experiences and spiritual progress. This teaching encourages individuals to be mindful of their deeds and strive for virtuous conduct to create positive outcomes in their lives. Moreover, Jataka tales provide valuable insights into human nature and the complexities of life.

 

Anmol Kashyap

Sunbeam School, Lahartara 

Knowledge Vs Learning - Tejas Kumar

Knowledge and Learning are closely related but distinct concepts. Knowledge refers to the information, facts, and understanding a person possesses about a particular subject or the world. It involves knowing specific details, principles, or theories.

Learning, on the other hand, is the process through which knowledge is acquired or absorbed. It encompasses the activities, experiences, and efforts involved in gaining new information, skills, or understanding.

Learning can occur through various means such as formal education, informal experiences, observation, or self-study. While having knowledge is a part of being educated, it is not the sole factor. Education involves more than just accumulating facts or information. 

It also encompasses critical thinking, problem-solving skills, creativity, communication abilities, and a broader understanding of the world. Education is about applying knowledge, adapting to new situations, and continuously seeking to expand one's understanding and skills.

In essence, having knowledge is a component of being educated, but true education involves the ongoing process of learning, growth, and development across various aspects of life.

-Tejas Kumar

-IX 'D'

-SUNBEAM SCHOOL, LAHARTARA

People and their differing aims - Tejash

Happiness: Many people strive to lead a happy and fulfilling life. This might involve pursuing activities, relationships, and experiences that bring joy and satisfaction.

Success: Success can be defined in various ways, such as achieving career goals, financial stability, personal accomplishments, or making a positive impact on others.

Health: Maintaining good physical and mental health is essential for overall well-being. People often aim to lead a healthy lifestyle through exercise, proper nutrition, and stress management.

Meaningful Relationships: Building and nurturing meaningful connections with family, friends, and romantic partners is a fundamental aspect of life for many people.

Personal Growth: Continuously learning and growing as individuals is important for self-improvement and development. This could involve acquiring new skills, gaining knowledge, or working on personal qualities.

Tejash

 Sunbeam School, Lahartara 

Importance of Leadership - Shubhangi Kashyap

Importance of Leadership

Leadership is pivotal in nation-building, providing direction, motivation, and decision-making. A leader's vision inspires citizens, fostering unity and trust. Effective leadership manages change, fosters innovation, and promotes inclusivity, vital for societal progress.

By nurturing international relations, leaders secure peace and cooperation. Transformative leadership enacts reforms, leaving lasting legacies that shape a nation's future.

However, leadership alone cannot determine a nation's destiny; societal, economic, and cultural factors also influence its development. Yet, a strong leader can galvanize collective action, navigate challenges, and steer the nation towards prosperity, leaving an indelible mark on its history.

Shubhangi Kashyap

Sunbeam School, Lahartara

What is Faggot Bearer?- Animesh Kashyap

What is Faggot Bearer?

PC- Pinterest

A "Faggot Bearer" is a critical component in traditional timber framing, specifically in roof structures. This horizontal timber beam runs parallel to the rafters, providing essential support for their ends. 

The term "Faggot" originates from bundles of sticks or small wood pieces historically used in construction. Positioned at regular intervals along the roof's length, these bearers distribute the weight of the roof evenly, ensuring structural integrity and preventing sagging. 

While the term may have historical connotations, it's purely technical in contemporary construction, denoting a vital element in traditional timber-framed buildings, particularly in regions with a heritage of such construction methods.

-By Animesh Kashyap

-Class- IX D

-Sunbeam Hostel Lahartara.

Reflection of the week - Sunday 21st April 2024

- From Jataka Tales - 

1. Which language were Jataka Tales written in? When were they written?

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

3. What learnings can we take away from the story "King Makhadevas Grey Hairs "?

4. What are the things one aims for in life?

5. What learnings can we take away from the story "The Cold Half Of The Month "?

- From The Hidden Life Of Trees - 

1. What is Gulliver in Lilliput about?

2. What can we learn from the "Tree or Not Tree" chapter?

3. What is coppicing?

4. How is Trees' age measured?

These are some suggestions you can choose from. Looking forward to seeing your wonderful and thoughtful reflections!  

You can email your reflections to - nk@learningforward.org.in. Feel free to call Neetu, Monday to Friday, 10 am to 7 pm, +91 135 2710958

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

International Mother Language Day- Shambhavi Nautiyal

International Mother Language Day

The indispensableness of knowing our mother language is understood by all of us. It connects us with indigenous culture, people, traditions, and history. It helps us learn where we come from and who our ancestors were, as they are who we are since we are compact from our ancestors. They reside in our bodies, shower us with blessings, and guide us from the subtle realms.

A testament to this is in the fact that we can find fragments of our ancestors in our countenance, devolved virtues and values, how our ancestors can find semblances of them in us and how they can tell with a single glance that we belong to their lineage just by the aura and mien we have may they be dead or alive. To me, connection with my mother language means connection with my ancestors, who may be from a millennium ago or just a generation ago.

The expressions, slang, speech, and literature in their era let me know what kind of people they were, how the times gone were and how it would feel getting to know them. By learning about our mother tongue, we get to know them through word of mouth or writing, which may divulge the allegory of their life, how they reacted to their plight and what I can learn from that.

Even though in the present times we have several translations of our scriptures, and I own to have read them too yet, there is an implicitly distinct sentiment of being connected to your roots, almost like watering the roots of a tree and maybe even discerning how our past life had been like because there is a reason for everything, including why we were born on this part of the universe, belonging to our peculiar ethnicity, may we be aware of it or not.

The reason for that is to learn something new and succeed in our spiritual advancement by picking up something from this realm, the people surrounding us, and the language of our ancestors bequeathed to us. And that's why try at least learning to be fluent in speaking our mother language.

Shambhavi Nautiyal

Ahlcon Public School

Grade- IX

Pamela Atkinson - Mridul Maheshwari

image courtesy - https://www.deseret.com, used by Mridul Maheshwari for representation only

Pamela Atkinson

Today we saw a video about Pamela Atkinson related to her social work - serving others or helping the poor. Pamela believes that 'even small acts of service help change lives. Small things make a difference". 

Over the years, working with the poor, Pamela has learned that service doesn't always need to be huge, it can even be small.

Pamela said, "We should look for opportunities to make a difference in other people's lives-which in turn, make a difference in our own."

  -Mridul Maheshwari (IX)

                                                      Sunbeam School Lahartara

The True Success - Tenzin Nyesel

For me, Success means achieving a goal that you have set in your life. Even if it is just getting better marks in any subject.

Success is a feeling when you are well satisfied with what you have or got. Achieving success does not always mean becoming a topper in class or becoming a rich person. 

Sometimes it's just us who feel we have done better work that we couldn't do or attempt before.

Tenzin Nyesel
Class 10th,

Pestalozzi Children's Village Society

The Way of Home - Ati Pema

PC- Ati Pema

The Way of Home

"A leopard never changes its spots."
- Anonymous

Far beyond the distant chains of ice, stone and snow in the land of the icey plateau lies my dwelling, enveloped by the stone and dust that gives me my livelihood. I have to hunt those devilishly quick prey that leaps away on cliffs and claws away on the ridges (Even when they have none!). 

Fearless they are so I too have to become such, though they are swift, they lack much awareness and are lost in their petty fights. I can creep up on them quickly, and with my colour, they rarely see me! But a lot has changed since my solitude; there are more mouths to feed than my own.

My hunting days are longer and more gruelling, and hunting itself has become more complicated than it once was. My prey left their grazing ground and now lives on the planes in numbers more prominent than I had ever seen. It would be good if those two-legged skin changers did not look over them. They, too, live in herds of hundreds in their own lands, where they carve the plateau to their liking. 

I would not be much concerned, but lately, the snow on the hill, which once shone white, has been painted grey with dust. I can no longer hide under my camouflage! 

I take my cubs wherever I go as now my own kind threatens them in these difficult times. 

What had changed in the time I grew? Where is the land I knew? The snow, the ice and those green pastures. What could be the cause? 

Yet there is no time to complain as even those two-legged beasts are now hunting us! Will my cubs ever see the world I saw? Will they never hear the silent breath they take as they go for their first hunt? I shan't throw away my hope. As times have gone and become such, it will change once more. 

Ati Pema

St. Thomas College

The Book Highlight - Ayush Kashyap

The book Hidden Life of Trees highlights its intricate relationships and communication networks within forests, reminding us of the importance of fostering a deeper connection with the natural world. It encourages us to appreciate and respect the complexity of ecosystems.

Ayush Kashyap
Sunbeam School, Varuna

The Joy of Giving - Ahad Hashmi

The Joy of Giving is an enriching experience. It is a profound connection to our inherent generosity and empathy. When we give freely, whether it be our time, resources, or simply our presence, we ignite a spark of warmth and fulfilment within ourselves and others. 

The act of giving opens our hearts and purpose as we contribute to the well-being of those around us. In giving, we discover the truth that true abundance lies not in what we possess, but in what we are willing to share with others.

Ahad Hashmi
Sunbeam School, Varuna

Accomplishing the goals is not a success- Vaibhav Jaiswal

"It's amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credits."

Accomplishing the goals is not a success. Success means, you know the hard work you have done and the behaviour you show to the people, the respect which you give to the society. You're never overconfident in yourself. 

I have researched what is success; Success is not when you accomplish your dreams, success is when people respect you and you and your perspective in society. Only then, you become a successful person this is what I think after seeing the world.

Vaibhav Jaiswal 
Grade 9
Sunbeam School, Lahartara

Selfless and Compassionates - Shubhangi Kashyap

Selflessness and Compassion words are somewhat connected. Selflessness means caring more for what others need and thinking less about oneself, while compassion is all about showing sympathy and emotions or having an eagerness to help others. 

Having compassion is a genuine emotion for others. It's a powerful force that can help individuals overcome feelings of isolation and despair and can promote growth. By cultivating both compassion and selflessness, individuals can create a stronger connection with others 

Shubhangi Kashyap
Sunbeam Hostel Lahartara

Being Grateful - Tenzin Nyingsel

If you talk about being grateful, there will be a whole book written about it and still, the list will not be finished. Being grateful for any small things shows our values and importance towards it. It can be felt or expressed by any person to a person or any animal to a person. Sometimes it happens that we are not able to show our gratitude towards one thing that means a lot to us. Still, it always remains in our hearts that we will always try to fulfil it. Whether by our affection towards it or by proving our hard work for it. Let me take an example of a situation that happened a few days back.

It was 8 in the morning when I was dressed in my school uniform, standing in the school assembly hall with the history book in my hand. It was the exam day and just a few minutes were left for the exam to begin. It was cold in the morning due to which the roof above my head was covered with dew. Suddenly a drop fell on the book. To my surprise, it fell exactly on the topic that said, 'JUDICIAL REVIEW'.

For me, I really believe in fate, destiny and luck. At that moment, I felt it might be a sign for me. So I revised it very well. It was not long before the bell rang for the exam. After some minutes, the question papers were laid on my desk. I checked the paper slowly, turning the pages. In the middle of the crowd of questions, I saw a familiar question that asked about the 'judicial review'. For that very moment, I felt really grateful towards that one drop of water that fell. Since that question carried four marks, I wrote the answer in a very happy mood.

That is why, being grateful can be felt at any particular time and for any particular thing because sometimes it is not always a 'person' towards which we feel grateful. 

In the end, I would conclude by saying that ' I am grateful for everything I have. The highs. The lows. The blessings. The lessons. The setbacks. The comebacks. The love. The hate. Everything.' 

Tenzin Nyingsel
Class 10
Pestalozzi Children's Village Society

Being Grateful- Tenzin Dakar

For me being grateful means not just saying thank you to a person but it is a feeling from inside which shows gratitude, and respect towards the person, organization or any other entity. We should not take it for granted and should not disregard the effort or the hard work which is done by somebody for us to make our life and living a better one.

You should always be grateful for what you are getting whether it is education, food, knowledge, morals or even the place where you stay as there might be many people in this world who might not be getting the basic necessities which are food, shelter, clothes, etc.

I am grateful for the environment where  I live and study, the place which provides me good education, delicious food, teachers, morals and the opportunity to study in the best schools which may not be possible without the helping hands of others.

It makes me feel scared when I think of whether I will be able to meet the expectations of people and the thoughts which tell me, I won't be able to utilize the hardships and efforts done for me by others, or if I don't score good marks but, these thoughts help me to push myself become better and work harder.

Some people take the hard work done for them for granted and do not care much about it and forget about it. They are not satisfied with what they are getting and always want more, whereas some people wish for life like them. 

Tenzin Dakar
Pestalozzi Children's Village Society

We are all connected and we are one - Nishan Karki

“The most important things in life are the connections you make with others.” – Tom Ford 

All the human beings living in this world are connected to one another. Despite differences in race, religion, colour, custom and language, we are all one. We are somehow directly or indirectly connected to each other.

Connection with other people makes our life easier and happier. If we are connected to one another, it means we have someone to share our happiness and sadness and other emotions. We can help people in times of their distress and also get back help from others.

People who are lonely are lost (mentally) and do not seem very active. They do not indulge in conversation and do activities with other people. These people are not well connected to one another. 

Maybe, the lives of people who are not connected to others are not fun. But from many people's point of view, it may be fun.

Sometimes, I sing a song in my mind. Then after a few seconds, I hear another person singing the same song. This makes me wonder whether our minds are connected or not. This has happened several times.

Empowering Learners for a Brighter Future: Anmol Kashyap

Education plays a crucial role in shaping a brighter future for individuals and society. To empower learners, it requires skills, knowledge, and confidence. Empowering learners to become critical thinkers, problem solvers, and contributors also requires quality education and accessibility, changing the world. 

As learners invest in education, it takes them to a brighter future, driving positive change, sustainability, and growth. The main factor for empowering learners for a brighter future is education."

Anmol Kashyap 
Sunbeam Hostel Lahartara

The Importance of Good Health - Ankit Raj

"Health is a positive concept emphasizing social and personal resources, as well as physical capacities.”

This means that health is a resource to support an individual's function in wider society, rather than an end in itself. A healthful lifestyle provides the means to lead a full life with meaning and purpose.

Ankit Raj
Sunbeam School, Lahartara