Long ago, there lived a Bodhisattva. One day, he and his disciples were practising their evening meditation. Suddenly, a cat that lived in the monastery started making a lot of noise and distracting them. The Bodhisattva then ordered that the cat be tied up during the evening meditation. Thus, every evening, the students tied up […]
Dante degli Alighieri, popularly known as Dante, was born between May and June 1265 in Florence and passed away on 14th September, 1321. Do you know that Dante had become a pharmacist so as to help further his political career? A renowned Italian poet, most of Dante’s work was written in Latin and accessible only
The Castle of Good Hope was built in South Africa between 1666 and 1679. The Castle of Good Hope is a star-shaped fort that was built by the Dutch East India Company. Painted yellow to lessen the effect of the sun, the castle contained a church, bakery, workshops, living quarters and cells. In 1936, the
Jesus was born between the 7th and 2nd centuries in Herodian Tetrarchy, in the then Roman Empire and passed away on the 3rd of April 33 AD. Did you know that Jesus Christ was said to be a master of irony and wit? He would say witty things, which can be observed in many of
Saul the Tarsus, who later came to be known as Paul the Apostle, was born in the 1st century AD, in Cilicia, then Roman Empire and passed away around 67 AD. Do you know that St. Paul’s real name was Saul, which he changed once he converted to Christianity? Paul the Apostle was an Apostle
Ashoka Maurya, popularly known as Ashoka the Great, was born in 304 BC in Pataliputra, Patna, India, and passed away in 232 BC. Do you know that Ashoka killed his 6 brothers (and not 99 as exaggerated in stories) to ascend the throne? An Indian emperor, Ashoka was from the Maurya Dynasty. His rule extended
Popularly known as the King of Asia or the King of Babylon, Alexander the Great was born in Macedonia, on the 20th of July 356 BC and passed away in June of 323 BC. Do you know that at the age of 19, after his father’s death, Alexander attempted and succeeded in attaining the throne?
Once, a monk had 500 followers. He meditated throughout his life. He even had supernatural powers and could fly. One day, the chief follower took 250 followers into the villages to collect alms. Meanwhile, the master was about to die. The remaining followers who were by his side realised this and asked him, “What was
The Vootrkker Monument was built in South Africa between 1937 and 1949. The Vootrkker Monument was constructed to honour the Vootrkkers who had left Cape Colony from 1935-1954. The 40-metre high structure is built in granite and has not only European characteristics but also African influences. The building contains the Hall of Heroes and a
Popularly known as the Father of Political Science, Aristotle was born in 384 BC in Greece and passed away in 322 BC. Do you know that Aristotle was a student of Plato, and is known to have tutored Alexander the Great? A philosopher, Aristotle is known to be the first genuine scientist in history. His
Aristocles Platon, popularly known as Plato, was born in Athens, Greece, between 428 and 424 BC and passed away in 348 BC. Do you know that historians believe ‘Plato’ was a nickname given to this great philosopher and writer, due to his broad physical build? Plato was not only the student of Socrates but also
Once, two merchants called Wise and Verywise took a caravan of 500 bullock carts to another country. After selling their goods, they returned to Kapilavastu with profits. Verywise said to Wise, “I should be given twice the profits as my name is Verywise. You should get only half as much as I.” Wise said, “We
Hippocrates was born around 460 BC in Kos, Ancient Greece, and passed away in 370 BC. Do you know that Hippocrates was the first person to believe that diseases were caused by natural imbalances in the human body, rather than as an act of God or superstition? Hippocrates was a Greek physician in the Age
Once, a monk had a pupil called Bad. Bad thought that his name was disgraceful and unlucky. So, he went to the monk asking him to change his name. The monk asked him to find a more fortunate name and return. Bad left the city and soon came across a man who had just died.
The Nelson Mandela Sculpture was built in Howick in 2012. The Nelson Mandela Sculpture is a unique structure designed at the same place that Nelson Mandela was captured. The sculpture comprises 50 steel columns, ranging from 6.5-9.5 metres in height. These columns are set and aligned in such a way that together they form the