Buddhism

Buddhism is one of the major religions of the world. It was founded by Siddhartha Gautam, who is also known as Gautama Buddha. He was born in 563 B.C. at Lumbini, in Kapilbastu district of our country. Gautam Buddha struggled throughout his life to find solution to suffering in life. At last, meditating under ‘bodhi’ tree in Gaya (in India), he realized that the root of all sufferings caused by change is desire and ignorance. Knowing this truth of life he was enlightened and began to be called the ‘Buddha’. Since then, he started teaching the people the four noble truths and the noble eightfold paths. The teachings of Gautam Buddha formed a new religion called Buddhism. Buddhism, thus, originated in Nepal, spread all over India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam. Through the Himilayan mountain passes it spread over to Tibet, China, Korea and Japan. During the 20^th century, it spread to Europe, the United States of America and Australia.

My Town

I live in the town of Kathmandu. It is capital of our country. It is the biggest town in Nepal. More than two hundred thousand people live in the town. It is a beautiful town. It is situated in a valley. There are hills on all sides. It is situated beside the river Bagmati. The town is well-served by roads. There are highways running the borders of India and China. There are also highway leading to Trisuli and Pokhara. There is an airport near the town. Aero-planes fly to India and other countries. There is also internal air-service. Kathmandu is a modern town. There are good roads. Buses, taxis and cars run also these roads. The town is lit by electricity. There are good hotels and restaurants. One can see big buildings and places. There are big mercantile stores. People from all parts of the world can be seen here.

Physical Exercise

               We require physical exercise. It keeps our body fit. It is especially necessary for those who work with the brain. It should be taken by students, teachers, doctors, office-holders and businessmen. It is not necessary for those who work with their hands. Peasants, laborers, soldiers and policemen have no need of physical exercise. 

                  There are many kinds of physical exercise. Walking is the easiest form of physical exercise. It is especially suitable to those who are physically weak. Running, riding, swimming and boating also give us good exercise. We play games like foot-ball, badminton, hockey, tennis and cricket. These are out-door games. They also give us good exercise. We may take any exercise that we like. Physical exercise should be taken in time. Morning and evening are the best time for taking physical exercise. We should not take any exercise just after meals. This spoils our health. It is said that too much of anything is bad.

So, be ready "Do physical exercise and be healthy forever".

Good Manners

We live in society. We require the help of many persons. We should try to be liked by others. It is good manners that make us popular. Good manners are very important for us. They are a great help to success in life. They are the best possession of man. Good manners differ from place to place, from society to society. We should learn the good manners of our society. Speaking politely, respecting superiors, loving juniors, showing courtesy to visitors are some good manners. Good manners are necessary in every activity and at every place. We should behave properly in speaking, standing, sitting, walking playing and working. We should show good manners at home, school and office. We should learn good manners from our parents, teachers and friends. We should mix with good mannered persons. We learn good manners through association and observation. We should observe how good-mannered persons behave.

The Swan

The swan is a large graceful water-bird. The tame swan is very gentle. When it is young, it is grey and does not look pretty. When it is full grown, it is as white as snow. The beauty of swan lies in its snow white color. It has a long thin neck by means of which it can reach its food without diving. The swan likes to swim on the water of steams and ponds. It has web- feet. Like other water-birds, it can swim well with the help of its web-feet. The swan lives on the seeds, leaves and roots of water-plant. It builds its nest on the ground among the bushes and tall grass near the water. It is made up of dry-sticks or rushes. The swan lays its eggs in the nest. As soon as the young ones are hatched, they run to the water. They can swim as well as the adults.

Travelling

We do not like to stay long at the same place. We like to go from one place to another. This is called travelling. Many persons are fond of travelling. We travel for various reasons. Most of us travel for pleasure. Some of us travel for change of air. Some persons travel for business and some for education. Some person go on a pilgrimage some of us go to another place to meet our friends and relatives. There are various modes of travelling. The simplest method is walking. Poor persons walk on foot. We may also travel by bi-cycles, motor-cars or buses. We can also travel by trains or ships. Rich persons travel by aero-planes. We have good roads and comfortable means. It is easy to travel nowadays. In ancient times, travelling was very difficult. Travelling gives us pleasure. By travelling we see new things and beautiful objects. They fill our mind with joy.

Health

We all valued health. It is said that health is wealth. If our health is good, we can work hard and earn wealth. If our health is bad, we cannot work hard and earn wealth. We all know this truth. But many of us do not take proper care of our health. A healthy man is always active and cheerful. He is not gloomy and depressed. He can enjoy life. He has a smiling face. He makes others cheerful. His mind is free from anxieties. He can think properly. It is said that is sound mind dwells in a sound body. If the body is healthy, the mind also is healthy. A healthy man can shine in life. We should all try to maintain good health. Many things are necessary to preserve health. First of all, we require rich food. If our food is poor, our health cannot be good.

Dashain

We have many festivals in our country. Dashain is the greatest of Nepal. It is celebrated in the month of Aswin. It marks the victory of the goddess Durga over the demon Mahisasur. If signifies the victory of Good over Evil. The festival is observed for a fortnight. The first nine days are called Navaratri, the goddess Durga is worshipped on these days. People worship the image of the goddess in their houses. They also visit the temples of the goddess. They make sacrifices of birds and animals before the image of Durga. The last two days of Navaratri are observed with great festivity. The tenth day is called Vijaya Dasami. On this day, people put on fine clothes and visit the houses of their superiors to pay respects. The superiors put tika on the foreheads of the juniors and Jamara on their heads. They bless the visitors and feed them well.

Discipline

We are not free in our activities. We are bound by some rules of conduct. We have to obey some rules at home, at school and on the play-ground. Discipline is the habit of acting according to rules. Discipline is necessary everywhere. At home, we have to obey our parents. They teach us what is good for us. If we disobey them, we cannot be happy in life. At school, discipline is very important. We should obey our teachers. If we do not obey them, we cannot learn our lessons well. The teachers also should be disciplined. They should work according to rules. If there is no discipline at school, the students cannot have proper training. Discipline is necessary on the play-ground. Every player must obey the captain. If the players play as they like, they cannot win the game. If there is no discipline among the players, it may lead to quarrels and fights.

Education

Education is main important factor, which affects the country's development directly. If we are educated our living will be much more easier. Lack of education, we have to face unnecessary difficulties. In case of our country, more people from city areas have good education whereas people from remote areas and villages haven't have good education. if all the people from Nepal are educated the development of the whole parts of country will be possible. we can see the developed country like America, Japan, England etc, has high ratio of education. They have educated manpower in every sector. often find myself criticizing governments worldwide for failing to create opportunities for poor people, especially in the education sector. We certainly should be critical, but must also realize that, as a responsible society, we cannot and should not leave everything to the government and NGOs. The education sector is not exclusively the obligation of the government. If the governments and NGOs cannot cope with the responsibility, then why shouldn’t the private sector do something to balance the lack of good education?

In many developing countries, public education leaves a lot to be desired. Teachers are not as motivated to show up regularly, perhaps because they do not feel accountable to the students, but instead to distant government officials.