Interview
“This is Ryan interviewing the founder of one of the most popular religion in the world, Buddha, or Siddhartha Gautama. Mr. Gautama, would you please tell us a little about your life?”
“Well, I was born in a small kingdom near the Himalaya. It is said that my mother had a dream shortly before my birth saying that I would become a great leader. Our family belonged to the warrior caste. My father Suddhodana, ruled a group called the Shakyas, and my mother, Maya, passed away shortly after my birth.”
“And what were you like as a teenager?”
“As a young man, I am proud to say, I was very intelligent. I knew 64 languages and mastered my studies without any instructions.
“Wow! You were a genius as a teenager too! Now what was the most important part of your life?”
“When I reached 29, I realized the most important thing in my life. I was out of the palace walls, exploring the rest of the kingdom, when I saw beggars, ill people, and people broken down by age with no home and nowhere to go. Seeing this I was truly aware of suffering and I became very upset. I realized what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I wanted to search for the Truth, Enlightenment, and a way to rise above suffering.”
“How did you look for this “truth, enlightenment, and a way to rise above suffering”?”
“I left my beautiful wife, Yasodhara as well as my lovely son, Rahula and my palace and the fact that I was a prince to study with priests.”
“Wow. It must have been very hard for you, leaving your family like that.”
“Yes it was hard. But I had to, in order to find my goals.”
“So did you achieve your goals after leaving your family?”
“Yes! Of course! In the age of 35, I finally achieved my goals. I sat under a tree and reached full enlightenment. I wanted to share my discoveries about the nature of life and suffering, so I traveled around the world teaching others. And in a blink of an eye, BOOM, a new religion.”
“There is a quote you once said, “Our life is shaped by our mind; we become what we think.” what do you mean by that?”
“It means if you think positively every day, you will have a happy life. But if you just complain all the time, you will have a sad life. Our minds shape our lives.”
“Thank you Buddha! Have a nice day.”
Sunday, February 21, 2010
seungkyu kim
Dear Chris,
My name is Ruhey and I am in love with a handsome man named Thamby. He is 27 years old and is a priest in a Hindu temple. But as a Sudra, the unskilled worker, I cannot marry a Brahmin, or a priest. My family was born to serve the three upper classes, the Vaishya, Kshatriya, and of course the Brahmins as slaves for the rest of our lives. We work for a Vaishya, or skilled traders, merchants, and minor officials as slaves.
Anyway, Thamby and I want to get married, but due to the unfair caste system, which determines what job you will have and who you will marry, that is not possible. Thamby suggested we should run away together under the cover of night. But I can’t imagine my life without my family. Also, I don’t want Thamby’s reputation to be deteriorated, leveling mine. What should I do?
Ruhey in Harappa
Dear Ruhey,
Oh no! That is terrible! I suggest that you wait until the caste system is overthrown. There were a lot of complains about the caste system from many others. I predict that it will be overthrown by the government soon. Also you could look for another man while waiting. To hurry up the process, create a strike against the caste system!
Chris the wise
My name is Ruhey and I am in love with a handsome man named Thamby. He is 27 years old and is a priest in a Hindu temple. But as a Sudra, the unskilled worker, I cannot marry a Brahmin, or a priest. My family was born to serve the three upper classes, the Vaishya, Kshatriya, and of course the Brahmins as slaves for the rest of our lives. We work for a Vaishya, or skilled traders, merchants, and minor officials as slaves.
Anyway, Thamby and I want to get married, but due to the unfair caste system, which determines what job you will have and who you will marry, that is not possible. Thamby suggested we should run away together under the cover of night. But I can’t imagine my life without my family. Also, I don’t want Thamby’s reputation to be deteriorated, leveling mine. What should I do?
Ruhey in Harappa
Dear Ruhey,
Oh no! That is terrible! I suggest that you wait until the caste system is overthrown. There were a lot of complains about the caste system from many others. I predict that it will be overthrown by the government soon. Also you could look for another man while waiting. To hurry up the process, create a strike against the caste system!
Chris the wise
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Swati Kaushik
Swati Kaushik
Period 2/3
Classified
For Sale:
Your Dream House
There it was. A beautiful house with a sun-dried bricks as an exterior with overlapping clay tiles and the first tiled floors. It has two private bedrooms, a bathroom, and a kitchen. And a FOR SALE sign in the front. Yes, Cretans, this beautiful house is on sale. At an amazing price of 400 drachmas. But, not for long! How long do you think this dream house can last? So, hurry and contact me, builder of this house, at 123-453-5723. Who knows how much longer this house will last?
Period 2/3
Classified
For Sale:
Your Dream House
There it was. A beautiful house with a sun-dried bricks as an exterior with overlapping clay tiles and the first tiled floors. It has two private bedrooms, a bathroom, and a kitchen. And a FOR SALE sign in the front. Yes, Cretans, this beautiful house is on sale. At an amazing price of 400 drachmas. But, not for long! How long do you think this dream house can last? So, hurry and contact me, builder of this house, at 123-453-5723. Who knows how much longer this house will last?
Swati Kaushik
Swati Kaushik
Period 2/3
Classified
For Sale:
Your Dream House
There it was. A beautiful house with a sun-dried bricks as an exterior with overlapping clay tiles and the first tiled floors. It has two private bedrooms, a bathroom, and a kitchen. And a FOR SALE sign in the front. Yes, Cretans, this beautiful house is on sale. At an amazing price of 400 drachmas. But, not for long! How long do you think this dream house can last? So, hurry and contact me, builder of this house, at 123-453-5723. Who knows how much longer this house will last?
Period 2/3
Classified
For Sale:
Your Dream House
There it was. A beautiful house with a sun-dried bricks as an exterior with overlapping clay tiles and the first tiled floors. It has two private bedrooms, a bathroom, and a kitchen. And a FOR SALE sign in the front. Yes, Cretans, this beautiful house is on sale. At an amazing price of 400 drachmas. But, not for long! How long do you think this dream house can last? So, hurry and contact me, builder of this house, at 123-453-5723. Who knows how much longer this house will last?
Swati Kaushik
Swati Kaushik
Period 2/3
Classified
For Sale:
Your Dream House
There it was. A beautiful house with a sun-dried bricks as an exterior with overlapping clay tiles and the first tiled floors. It has two private bedrooms, a bathroom, and a kitchen. And a FOR SALE sign in the front. Yes, Cretans, this beautiful house is on sale. At an amazing price of 400 drachmas. But, not for long! How long do you think this dream house can last? So, hurry and contact me, builder of this house, at 123-453-5723. Who knows how much longer this house will last?
Period 2/3
Classified
For Sale:
Your Dream House
There it was. A beautiful house with a sun-dried bricks as an exterior with overlapping clay tiles and the first tiled floors. It has two private bedrooms, a bathroom, and a kitchen. And a FOR SALE sign in the front. Yes, Cretans, this beautiful house is on sale. At an amazing price of 400 drachmas. But, not for long! How long do you think this dream house can last? So, hurry and contact me, builder of this house, at 123-453-5723. Who knows how much longer this house will last?
Swati Kaushik
Swati Kaushik
Period 2/3
Classified
For Sale:
Your Dream House
There it was. A beautiful house with a sun-dried bricks as an exterior with overlapping clay tiles and the first tiled floors. It has two private bedrooms, a bathroom, and a kitchen. And a FOR SALE sign in the front. Yes, Cretans, this beautiful house is on sale. At an amazing price of 400 drachmas. But, not for long! How long do you think this dream house can last? So, hurry and contact me, builder of this house, at 123-453-5723. Who knows how much longer this house will last?
Period 2/3
Classified
For Sale:
Your Dream House
There it was. A beautiful house with a sun-dried bricks as an exterior with overlapping clay tiles and the first tiled floors. It has two private bedrooms, a bathroom, and a kitchen. And a FOR SALE sign in the front. Yes, Cretans, this beautiful house is on sale. At an amazing price of 400 drachmas. But, not for long! How long do you think this dream house can last? So, hurry and contact me, builder of this house, at 123-453-5723. Who knows how much longer this house will last?
Ruhy Patel
Short Story
2/3
Ruhy Patel
A rotund boy sat in his gold plated chair, at the end of a long table, screaming for more sweets. His face and beautiful silk outfit were covered in sugar and tears streaked down his face. The maid scurried away to get more shaking her head ever so slightly. The queen walked in to the room and upon seeing the distressed child her frown deepened.
“My poor boy, how dare they not serve you, I shall dismiss the maid, where is that scoundrel.”
“Aya,” the queen screamed, “you shall not work at this castle anymore, go away.”
“But miss I was going to-“
“GO!” the queen interrupted, “never return”
The maid hurried away, tears streaming down her dirty face, and the queen turned on her heel with a huff, dragging the clingy young prince by the arm.
***
The sky lightened with pink and orange as the sun rose in the morning. The prince and the queen stepped out of the chariot for the daily morning walk. The usual scowl present on the prince’s pudgy face, and the usual disapproving frown on the queen’s face. The streets of the local markets were teeming with life by now and lowly commoners hurried by the queen, hoping for an excuse to talk to her. A gaggle of school age boys stood under the shining window of the toymaker’s shop. A shiny new toy soldier stood proudly in the window sill, gleaming for the world bravely. The young prince’s eyes widened and he slipped away from his proud mother unnoticed.
Infatuated with the toys in the store wandering the small shop, some time passed by. When, finally he turned to find his mother and her guards as before, they were nowhere in sight.
***
Panicked the prince wandered from tree to tree, but the darkness made it hard to distinguish one apart from another. Cold, hungry, scared and all alone he sat down whimpering softly to himself. Suddenly a twig snapped in the distance. Footsteps neared him, getting closer and closer until he squealed, the footsteps stopped.
“Who’s there?” a woman’s voice called.
“M-me.” the prince said his voice shaky with fear.
“Is that the prince, your highness, my goodness” Aya, the maid said coming into view. “You should be home with your mother, where are your guards and escorts?”
“I-I-I'm lo-o-ost.” He whimpered looking up at his favorite servant, her kind eyes staring back searchingly, yet piteously.
“Come,” Aya said, worry creasing her forehead, “come with me, I will let you wait with my family till morning, and then we will find the way home.” She held out a grimy warm hand. Frowning the prince took her hand and walked slowly beside the old amid, her gentle arm guiding him.
***
“Ahh, here we are.” Aya murmured softly. They stopped at the edge of a grimy little town. The central square was a fenced area with a few starved looking animals. Sloppy huts surrounded the square, four or five to a side. It looked as though the town was settling for the evening. Aya led the prince to the second house on the right side of the square.
“Welcome home.” She said
The door swung open, bright yellow candlelight streamed out.
“Mama Mama.” A scrawny girl ran to Aya’s arms. After a quick hug with her mother she turned her small head to face the young prince.
“Who you.” She asked, and then slapped her hand over her mouth. “Prince! Mama looky.” She squealed.
The prince’s scowl loosened a little at the tiny girl who looked so much like her mother. Her personality was like the same too.
“I know you are taking me to work tomorrow, is that why he is here?”
“Oh, baby child, I don’t have a job anymore.” Aya sighed then smiled.
The prince hung his head; it was all his fault for making her leave the castle and ruined her life all because of his stupid sweets. He loved his maid Aya; she raised him from a baby. The little girl interrupted his thoughts.
“What are we going to do mommy, are we going to have to leave our home, huh?” she said her tiny face serious black eyes shining with tears.
Aya smiled and folded the girl into her arms, “as long as we have each other we will be okay, we’ll manage.”
Something stirred deep inside the prince’s heart, he felt for the young girl and her mother, who without trying had changed him.
“No, no you mustn’t leave please,” the prince said looking into Aya’s eyes and a tear left his eyes. “I am sorry for everything, thank you, I need you, stay with us me and mother. Please.” Aya smiled and reached out for a hug, squeezing the prince. Shutting his eyes he realized that nothing could pay for love, friendship and family. Not all the gold in the world, and he wouldn’t give it up for anything either.
2/3
Ruhy Patel
A rotund boy sat in his gold plated chair, at the end of a long table, screaming for more sweets. His face and beautiful silk outfit were covered in sugar and tears streaked down his face. The maid scurried away to get more shaking her head ever so slightly. The queen walked in to the room and upon seeing the distressed child her frown deepened.
“My poor boy, how dare they not serve you, I shall dismiss the maid, where is that scoundrel.”
“Aya,” the queen screamed, “you shall not work at this castle anymore, go away.”
“But miss I was going to-“
“GO!” the queen interrupted, “never return”
The maid hurried away, tears streaming down her dirty face, and the queen turned on her heel with a huff, dragging the clingy young prince by the arm.
***
The sky lightened with pink and orange as the sun rose in the morning. The prince and the queen stepped out of the chariot for the daily morning walk. The usual scowl present on the prince’s pudgy face, and the usual disapproving frown on the queen’s face. The streets of the local markets were teeming with life by now and lowly commoners hurried by the queen, hoping for an excuse to talk to her. A gaggle of school age boys stood under the shining window of the toymaker’s shop. A shiny new toy soldier stood proudly in the window sill, gleaming for the world bravely. The young prince’s eyes widened and he slipped away from his proud mother unnoticed.
Infatuated with the toys in the store wandering the small shop, some time passed by. When, finally he turned to find his mother and her guards as before, they were nowhere in sight.
***
Panicked the prince wandered from tree to tree, but the darkness made it hard to distinguish one apart from another. Cold, hungry, scared and all alone he sat down whimpering softly to himself. Suddenly a twig snapped in the distance. Footsteps neared him, getting closer and closer until he squealed, the footsteps stopped.
“Who’s there?” a woman’s voice called.
“M-me.” the prince said his voice shaky with fear.
“Is that the prince, your highness, my goodness” Aya, the maid said coming into view. “You should be home with your mother, where are your guards and escorts?”
“I-I-I'm lo-o-ost.” He whimpered looking up at his favorite servant, her kind eyes staring back searchingly, yet piteously.
“Come,” Aya said, worry creasing her forehead, “come with me, I will let you wait with my family till morning, and then we will find the way home.” She held out a grimy warm hand. Frowning the prince took her hand and walked slowly beside the old amid, her gentle arm guiding him.
***
“Ahh, here we are.” Aya murmured softly. They stopped at the edge of a grimy little town. The central square was a fenced area with a few starved looking animals. Sloppy huts surrounded the square, four or five to a side. It looked as though the town was settling for the evening. Aya led the prince to the second house on the right side of the square.
“Welcome home.” She said
The door swung open, bright yellow candlelight streamed out.
“Mama Mama.” A scrawny girl ran to Aya’s arms. After a quick hug with her mother she turned her small head to face the young prince.
“Who you.” She asked, and then slapped her hand over her mouth. “Prince! Mama looky.” She squealed.
The prince’s scowl loosened a little at the tiny girl who looked so much like her mother. Her personality was like the same too.
“I know you are taking me to work tomorrow, is that why he is here?”
“Oh, baby child, I don’t have a job anymore.” Aya sighed then smiled.
The prince hung his head; it was all his fault for making her leave the castle and ruined her life all because of his stupid sweets. He loved his maid Aya; she raised him from a baby. The little girl interrupted his thoughts.
“What are we going to do mommy, are we going to have to leave our home, huh?” she said her tiny face serious black eyes shining with tears.
Aya smiled and folded the girl into her arms, “as long as we have each other we will be okay, we’ll manage.”
Something stirred deep inside the prince’s heart, he felt for the young girl and her mother, who without trying had changed him.
“No, no you mustn’t leave please,” the prince said looking into Aya’s eyes and a tear left his eyes. “I am sorry for everything, thank you, I need you, stay with us me and mother. Please.” Aya smiled and reached out for a hug, squeezing the prince. Shutting his eyes he realized that nothing could pay for love, friendship and family. Not all the gold in the world, and he wouldn’t give it up for anything either.
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