COLLECTION OF STORIES IN BUDDHIST LITERATURE

Jatakas or Jataka tales

The Jatakas, also known as Jataka tales, are a collection of stories in Buddhist literature that recount the previous lives of Gautama Buddha, who later became the historical Buddha. According to Buddhist tradition, these tales illustrate moral lessons and ethical principles through the experiences of the Buddha in his various incarnations. The Jatakas portray the Buddha in different roles, such as animals, kings, merchants and ordinary people, demonstrating virtues like compassion, generosity and wisdom. 

These stories service as moral guides, emphasising the importance of virtues and ethical conduct in one's journey towards enlightenment. The Jatakas are significant religious texts in Buddhism and valuable cultural and literary heritage, influencing art, literature and moral teachings across various Buddhist traditions and cultures. 

BELIEVE IT OR NOT

 A Place on Earth Where It Rains Fish!

Imagine looking up at the sky, waiting for rain, but instead of water droplets, you see fish falling! Sounds strange, right? Well, it may sound like something out of a storybook, but it’s actually real. There are places on Earth where it quite literally rains fish. One of the most famous places where this happens is a small town in Honduras called Yoro. There have also been fishy rains in other parts of the world, like Lajamanu in Australia. But how does this happen, and why?

In this blog post, we’re going to dive deep into this fascinating phenomenon and find out the science behind why fish fall from the sky.

Where Does It Rain Fish?

Yoro, Honduras: Home of the “Lluvia de Peces”

The small town of Yoro in Honduras is one of the most well-known places where it rains fish. Locals call it Lluvia de Peces, which literally means “rain of fish” in Spanish. According to the people of Yoro, this bizarre event happens at least once or twice a year, usually between May and July. It occurs after a heavy thunderstorm, with dark clouds and strong winds, and soon enough, fish are found scattered all over the ground.

The locals believe this is a miracle, and there is even a legend that says a Spanish missionary, Father José Manuel Subirana, prayed for the people to have food, and ever since, the fish have been raining from the sky. But is it really a miracle? Or is there a scientific explanation behind this fishy rain?

Lajamanu, Australia: Fish Falling in the Outback

Another place that experiences this unusual phenomenon is a remote town in Australia called Lajamanu. Back in 2010, the people of Lajamanu witnessed fish falling from the sky not once, but twice in the same week! This town is in the Northern Territory, in the middle of the Australian outback. So how did fish end up raining there?

The fish were identified as spangled perch, which are common in rivers and lakes across Australia. However, Lajamanu is hundreds of miles away from the nearest river. So, what caused this strange event? Let’s explore the science behind it.

The Science Behind Raining Fish

You may wonder, how is it even possible for fish to fall from the sky? Well, while it may seem magical, there’s a scientific explanation that can help us understand this mystery.

Water Spouts and Tornadoes

The most common scientific theory behind raining fish is that strong winds, such as waterspouts or tornadoes, are responsible for picking up fish from rivers or lakes and carrying them up into the sky. A waterspout is like a tornado that forms over a body of water. It has a powerful funnel of wind that can suck up water – and anything in it, including fish.

Once the fish are lifted high into the clouds by these winds, they can be carried for several miles. Eventually, when the storm loses its strength or the wind can no longer carry the fish, they fall back to the ground, creating what looks like a rain of fish!

Storms and Weather Conditions

In places like Yoro, the rainy season often brings intense thunderstorms. These storms, combined with powerful winds, can lift the fish out of the nearby rivers. It’s thought that the fish come from the Aguán River, which is located some distance from Yoro. When the winds are strong enough, they can carry the fish all the way to the town, where they eventually drop to the ground.

In Lajamanu, it’s likely that strong updrafts during the thunderstorms lifted the fish from a distant body of water and dropped them over the town. The spangled perch that fell are known to be hardy fish that can survive being out of water for a while, which explains why many of the fish were still alive when they hit the ground.

Fishy Rains Around the World

Honduras and Australia aren’t the only places where it has rained fish. There have been similar reports of fish falling from the sky in other parts of the world, including:

• India: In 2008, people in the Kerala region witnessed fish raining down during a monsoon.

• Iran: In 2023, a video went viral showing fish falling in a village after a rainstorm.

• The United States: In 1947, in Louisiana, there was an event where fish rained down after a storm, causing quite a commotion!

These instances all have similar explanations—strong winds and storms carrying the fish from water sources and dropping them elsewhere. Although it’s rare, these events have been happening for many years and have been documented across the globe.

Is It Dangerous?

You might wonder if raining fish could be dangerous. After all, it’s not every day that fish fall from the sky! Fortunately, these events aren’t usually harmful to people, as the fish are typically small and light. However, it can be surprising for those who aren’t expecting it, and it can cause a bit of a mess with fish flopping around everywhere!

Why Do People Celebrate It?

In some places, raining fish is seen as a blessing. In Yoro, Honduras, people celebrate the Lluvia de Peces with a festival. They believe it’s a miracle and a gift of food from the heavens. After the fish fall, the locals collect them and cook them, sharing the meal with their community. For the people of Yoro, it’s more than just a strange weather event—it’s a sign of hope and abundance.

Can Other Things Rain from the Sky?

Believe it or not, fish aren’t the only things that have been reported to fall from the sky. Other animals, like frogs and birds, have also rained down in various places around the world. The same principle applies: powerful winds or storms lift these creatures into the air and drop them in places far from where they originally lived.

In 1873, a report from Kansas, USA, said that frogs rained down during a storm, and there have been other accounts of frogs falling in Serbia, Japan, and the UK. Like fish, these animals are caught up in strong winds and carried far away from their natural habitats.

Conclusion: While the idea of raining fish might seem unbelievable at first, it’s actually a rare but real event. Thanks to the power of nature, storms, waterspouts, and strong winds can lift fish out of rivers and lakes and carry them high into the sky, only to drop them down miles away from their homes.

HEALING THOUGH SOUND

Gong Bath

Gong Bath, also known as gong meditation or sound healing, is a spiritual practice that originated in ancient cultures, with roots in Himalayan and Southeast Asian traditions. 

Used by indigenous communities and spiritual practitioners for thousands of years, the practice involves the use of resonant sounds produced by gongs, crystal bowls, and other instruments. 

Participants lie down in a relaxed position while a practitioner plays gongs, creating vibrational sound waves that envelop the listener, evoking a state of deep relaxation and altered consciousness. 

The significance of a gong bath lies in its ability to calm the mind, reduce stress, and foster self-awareness. 

The sound frequencies resonate with the body’s own energy, encouraging a meditative state and, often, emotional release. 

Many practitioners believe it aligns the body’s vibrations with the natural frequency of the Earth, known as the Schumann Resonance, facilitating a feeling of interconnectedness. 

The benefits of gong baths are wide-ranging, from promoting relaxation and relieving tension to aiding sleep and reducing anxiety. 

Additionally, sound healing is believed to stimulate healing processes, detoxify the body, and enhance mental clarity, making it a popular practice in holistic wellness and spiritual development.

TECHNOLOGY USED FOR FACE RECOGNITION

Facial Recognition Technology

Facial recognition Technology is a cutting-edge innovation that identifies and verifies individuals based on their unique facial features. 

Some smartphones use facial recognition technology to recognise a face and unlock the phone. Here, the technology simply identifies and recognises a person as the sole owner of the device, thus limiting access to others. Beyond unlocking phones, facial recognition is used in other places too, to identify people in photos, videos or in real time. It is a technology that compares a picture of a person’s face to a bunch of other faces stored in a computer in order to identify or confirm an individual’s identity. 

The biometric software used in facial recognition technology uses mathematics to understand and remember how a person’s face looks and stores it as a faceprint. Deep learning algorithms are used to compare a live capture or digital image to the stored faceprint. 

How it works 

● Step 1: Face detection 

The camera looks at a picture of a face. This can be just one face or a bunch of faces in a group. 

● Step 2: Face analysis 

Next, the camera closely examines the face and studies it. It pays attention to things like how far apart the eyes are, how deep the eyes are set, how long the face is from the top of the forehead to the bottom of the chin and the unique shapes of the cheeks, lips, ears and chin. These are the particular points that make each face different. 

● Step 3: Converting the face into numbers 

The camera changes the face picture into a code made of numbers. It’s like turning your face into mathematical formula. This code is called a faceprint. Just like your fingerprint, your faceprint is also unique. 

● Step 4: Finding a match 

Now, when the faceprint is compared to a bunch of other faceprints stored in a computer, it is looking for a matching puzzle piece. If the faceprint matches the one in the computer, the computer would have found the face it belongs to. 

How is it used 

● Unlocking phones: New mobile phones now use facial recognition to unlock the device. This helps protect personal information and keeps sensitive data safe, especially if the phone gets stolen. 

● Law enforcement: Facial recognition is used to identify people quickly and accurately. This is particularly useful in urgent situations when the police need to find someone dangerous or a person involved in a crime. Officers can also use their smartphones or other portable devices to take pictures of people and compare them instantly to a database of known faces to identify wanted individuals. 

● Airports: Facial recognition is being used at security points within airports to make sure travellers are who they say they are. For example, in Indian airports, Digi Yatra is being used to allow travellers to move through airport checkpoints without using physical documents. Instead, they can use their face to prove their identity, which is linked to their boarding pass. 

● Finding missing persons: Facial recognition can also be used to find missing persons. When reported, the missing person’s photo is added to a database. If their face is recognised at places where cameras are placed, such as airports, roads or railway stations, law enforcement can be notified, making it easier to find them. 

It's important to note that while facial recognition can be very useful, there are also concerns about privacy, security and potential misuse of technology. We need to make sure we take the maximum advantage of it while also making it less risky. 

Did you know?

Automated facial recognition was pioneered in the 1960s by Woody Bledsoe, Helen Chan Wolf and Charles Bisson, whose work focused on teaching computers to recognise human faces. 

AQUATIC ENGINEERING

Lessons from fish

Have you ever wondered what boats and fish have in common? You might think they’re completely different, but here’s a fun fact: some of the fastest and most efficient boats are designed to mimic the shapes of fish! Yes, that's right - engineers and scientists study fish to make boats better. But how does that work? Let's find out! 

Fish are incredible swimmers. They’ve been perfecting their moves for millions of years, and each species has unique adaptations that help it glide through the water effortlessly. Scientists noticed that the shape of a fish's body plays a huge role in how it moves. Some fish have sleek, streamlined bodies, perfect for speed, while others have broader bodies for stability and maneuverability. 

Take the tuna, for example. Tuna-fish are built for speed, with a streamlined, torpedo-shaped body that cuts through water with minimal resistance. By designing boat hulls that mimic this shape, engineers create boats that can move faster and use less fuel. 

Dolphins, although not fish, are also inspiring. Their smooth, curved bodies and flexible spines allow them to leap and swim with grace and speed. Boats designed with dolphin-like curves can glide over waves more smoothly, making for a faster and more comfortable ride. 

Engineers are constantly experimenting with new designs, taking inspiration from various sea creatures. Imagine a submarine that moves like a squid or a speedboat that mimics the agile movements of a marlin. The possibilities are endless and exciting! 

So, why is this important? By designing boats that move more efficiently through the water, we can save fuel, reduce pollution, and explore our oceans more effectively. Plus, it’s a great example of how we can learn from nature to make our world better. 

Next time you’re by the water, take a moment to watch the fish. Think about how they move and what makes them special. Who knows? You might come up with the next big idea for boat design! 

Remember, the world is full of amazing connections just waiting to be discovered. 

PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT

Think like an Ant

When was the last time you thought about ants? Yes, ants—those tiny, seemingly insignificant creatures that crawl around your garden or sneak into your picnic, always showing up in hordes. It’s easy to overlook them or dismiss them as mere pests. But have you ever paused to observe them? Take a moment the next time you see an ant, and you will notice something fascinating. They are always busy, whether they are carrying food back to their colony, building intricate anthills, or even fighting off rivals. These little creatures are constantly in action, working tirelessly, and they never seem to stop. 

While many people see ants as nothing more than an irritation to tolerate, you can actually learn a powerful life lesson from them. You might be wondering how such a small, insignificant insect could teach you anything of value. The answer is surprisingly simple. You often look to the greats—successful people, major events, and grand experiences—to learn how to improve yourself, how to succeed, and how to unlock the secrets of life. But sometimes, the greatest lessons come from the smallest and most overlooked things in your environment. And the lesson you can learn from ants? It's one of survival. 

Ants are some of the best survivors in nature. They may be tiny, but their survival strategy is brilliant. You may wonder how something so small could be so effective, and it’s because they follow a simple, yet powerful, process. Jim Rohn, a well-known motivational speaker, called this process the "Ant Philosophy," and he identified four key lessons you can learn from these determined little creatures. Let’s take a look at those lessons. 

Lesson 1: Ants Never Quit 

You can learn a lot from ants when it comes to persistence. Ants don't know how to quit. If you observe an ant heading toward a destination and try to block its path, it won't hesitate to find another way. It will climb over obstacles, crawl under barriers, or navigate around them. No matter how many times you obstruct them, they don't stop moving forward. They refuse to give up and will always search for another route to reach their goal. 

Even if you destroy their ant hill, they will rebuild it over and over. Kick them away from your food, and they will come back again and again. The determination of ants is relentless. The lesson here for you is simple: Never quit. When life presents obstacles or challenges, keep looking for new ways to achieve your goals. Just like ants, you should develop the mindset that no hurdle is final. Keep pushing forward, adapting to the situation, and eventually, you will succeed. 

Lesson 2: Think Winter in Summer 

Ants are masters at thinking ahead. During the summer, they are fully aware that the warm, abundant days won’t last forever. They know winter is coming, and they prepare for it well in advance. While the sun is shining and food is plentiful, ants gather their resources for the tough months ahead. They don’t waste time enjoying the present without consideration for the future. 

This behavior teaches you the importance of planning ahead. When things are going well, don’t assume that they will always stay that way. Prepare yourself for potential downturns. In your life, you can take advantage of the good times by saving, learning, and preparing for periods of uncertainty. You must learn to think ahead, knowing that nothing lasts forever, and make sure you are ready for whatever comes next. 

Lesson 3: Think Summer in Winter 

On the flip side, ants also keep a positive outlook during the winter months. Even when the conditions are harsh, and food is scarce, ants don’t dwell on their current misery. They tell themselves, "This won’t last forever; summer will be here soon." Instead of giving in to despair, they remain patient and optimistic, knowing that better times are just around the corner. 

This mindset is invaluable for you to adopt. When you find yourself in difficult circumstances, remind yourself that they are temporary. Stay positive and know that every challenge will eventually pass. By focusing on the future and maintaining a hopeful outlook, you will be ready to embrace new opportunities when they arise. As soon as the first sign of better times appears, just like ants emerging on the first warm day, you should be prepared to jump into action and make the most of it. 

Lesson 4: Gather All You Possibly Can 

Ants don’t stop when they have gathered “enough.” During the summer, they work tirelessly to collect as much food as possible. They don’t set a limit for themselves and then relax. If there is more to be gathered, they will work extra hours to ensure they have everything they need to survive the winter. Ants don't believe in halfmeasures; they give it their all. 

For you, the lesson is clear: Don’t limit yourself when working toward your goals. Gather all the knowledge, resources, and experience you can. Push beyond what you think is “enough” and strive to achieve more. If there’s an opportunity to improve or advance further, don’t hold back. Go the extra mile and make the most of your time and effort. Just like ants, you should work with dedication and persistence, ensuring that you are fully prepared for whatever lies ahead.

Summary – Applying the Ant Philosophy to Your Life The Ant Philosophy offers you powerful lessons that can be applied to your everyday life. If you adopt the mindset of never giving up, always looking ahead, staying positive, and doing everything in your power to achieve your goals, you will find success. While average people often focus on when they can stop working or when they can take a break, successful people are constantly looking for the next step, the next challenge, and how to keep moving forward. This shift in mindset can make all the difference in your journey. 

When you make the transition from wanting to quit to embracing the effort and pushing ahead, you open up endless possibilities for yourself. Every day becomes an opportunity to do something meaningful and wonderful, to make progress toward your goals. You can transform your life by maintaining persistence and a proactive attitude, much like the ants who never stop seeking ways to overcome obstacles. 

Always keep in mind the importance of taking advantage of good times when they come. The saying "Make Personal hay while the sun shines" is a valuable reminder for you. Opportunities and favorable conditions don’t last forever, so you should seize them when they arise. Similarly, bad times won’t last forever either. Just as ants prepare during the summer for the winter ahead, and remain positive during the winter in anticipation of better days, you too should be mindful that both highs and lows are temporary. With this mindset, you can navigate life’s ups and downs with resilience, knowing that perseverance will eventually lead to success. 

Finally, we can end this article with a quote by Robert Schuller - Most people who succeed in the face of seemingly impossible conditions are people who simply don’t know how to quit. 

DISPLAY OF LIGHT WITH SOUND

Firecrackers and Fireworks

Explosive firecrackers and brilliant fireworks are the hallmarks of the joyous Diwali festival.

Be it the sparkling phooljhari, spinning chakra, fountainlike anaar, flying rocket or the Laxmi bomb — the dazzling fireworks captivate one and all during the days of the festival of lights.

Bursting firecrackers is an ancient practice that has its origins in China. It is said that a Chinese monk named Li Tian stuffed a green bamboo with gunpowder and threw it into a fire. The bamboo exploded suddenly and thus was born the firecracker. 

Firecrackers go off with a bang where as fireworks are a visual delight, setting the night skies ablaze with their splendour. Also called pyrotechnics, fireworks shows are not just about noise but also about light, smoke and colour.

The Recipe

A firecracker consists of gunpowder or flash powder wrapped very tightly in a paper tube, with a fuse. Gunpowder is a combustible mixture of potassium nitrate, charcoal and sulphur. These ingredients react with each other chemically to produce nitrogen and carbon dioxide gases when heat is applied by lighting the fuse. As the heated gases expand, the paper wrapping is ripped apart, producing the explosive sound. Flash powder burns quicker than gun powder and produces a loud bang with a flash of light.

Various types of fireworks produce different kinds of visual and sound effects depending on the chemicals stuffed in them. The most common component is aluminium, which emits silvery white sparks. Potassium imparts a violet shade while barium is used to create green colour. The pyrotechnic composition thus determines whether the firework emits a lot of smoke, glitters in a palm tree effect, whistles or crackles upon explosion.

Industrial Centre

Sivakasi is the fireworks capital of India with more than 600 manufacturers generating an annual turnover of Rs 7,000 crores. Dry climate and scanty rainfall as well as easy availability of raw materials make Sivakasi ideal for the fireworks industry. An impressed Jawaharlal Nehru nicknamed the industrial town ‘Kutty Japan’ (Mini Japan). However, Sivakasi was condemned for its use of child labour and today, steps have been taken to eradicate the practice.

The Darker Side

While fireworks continue to dazzle, they also create air, water and noise pollution apart from causing serious injuries. According to a 2016 study by the Pune-based Chest Research Foundation, burning a single cracker emits pollutants equal to the burning of 500 cigarettes at a time. The smoke contains traces of heavy metals and other toxic chemicals such as sulphur dioxide, magnesium and nitrates, which lead to health problems, especially respiratory ailments. Even the noise from the crackers— with decibel levels in excess of 90 — is harmful. Last year, the Supreme Court banned the sale of firecrackers in Delhi NCR. The smoke combined with the wintry mist leads to a spike in the levels of fine particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less (PM 2.5) in the air. These particles, which are 30 times finer than human hair, accumulate in the internal organs and bloodstream, causing sickness.

People, especially children, burst firecrackers from very close quarters, about a foot away. So they directly inhale the smoke pollutants in large quantities. Of all the firecrackers, the snake tablet burns for less than 10 seconds but produces the highest levels of PM 2.5, followed by the ladi, phooljhari, chakri and anar.

Fast Facts

◆ At the stroke of midnight on 1 January 2016, wide eyed spectators witnessed the world’s largest display of 8,10,904 fireworks in the Philippine Arena, an indoor stadium in the Philippines. The show lastedfor an hour — a Guinness World Record!

◆ In May 2010, as many as 1,25,801 rockets were launched in 30 seconds in a record-making event in Cebu, Philippines.

◆ China is the largest manufacturer and exporter of fireworks in the world.