The Half-Closed Eyes of The Buddha And The Slowly Sinking Sun Summary
The story The Half-Closed Eyes of the Buddha and the Slowly Sinking Sun’ by Shankar Lamichhane is a story written based on the stream of consciousness technique. The story is different from conventional stories and, instead of showing actions and events. The story deals with the monologues of two characters a foreign tourist and a tourist guide in Kathmandu valley. The story begins with the glorification of Eastern culture in general and Kathmandu in particular by foreign tourists. The foreign tourist in his monologue states that Kathmandu is full of natural, cultural and symbolic beauty. The tourist feels that indeed Kathmandu is heaven to him. He is always enchanted by the hills, mountains, greenery and other natural as well as cultural beauty of Kathmandu valley. The story mentions a legendary figure such as Manjushri, Buddha and historical figures such as – Amshuverma and Bhrikuti in the story glorifying the Nepalese past. Likewise, the foreign tourist in the story states that he enjoys both Nepali and Newari food and drink.
Likewise, the foreign tourist is mesmerized with the half-closed eyes of the Buddha at several places, including at the gate of Tribhuvan International Airport, on the carved lattice windows, on the door panel, on the stupas, on the eyes of the people and even in the eyes of the Himalayas and calls it samyak gaze the gaze through which one can perceive a pure and true form. And, the tourist even maintains that these eyes reflect a glorious culture and civilization. The story takes a dramatic mode when the foreign tourist asks the tourist guide to take to such a place which he I could never forget in his life.
Then, the tourist guide takes the foreign tourist to a Chobhar hill where lives a child affected by polio. The child’s whole body is useless and he cannot speak, move his hands, chew his food, or even spit. His eyes are the only living parts of his body and it is only his eyes that indicate that he is actually alive. The child however just can gaze at his sister and other people working. Then, the tourist guide asks the tourist to compare the gaze of the child with the samyak gaze. The tourist guide maintains that the gaze of the boy is incapable of self-manifestation. However, this eye is the beauty that is complete and has no other expression and these are the eyes just as beautiful as the setting sun’s reflection in the eyes of the Buddha.
The Half-Closed Eyes of The Buddha And The Slowly Sinking Sun Exercises
Understanding the Text
Answer the following questions.
a.How does the tourist describe his initial impression of the Kathmandu Valley?
Ans.: Based on the story, we can state that the tourist finds to be in ecstatic joy when he finds himself in Kathmandu valley. He is enchanted with the beauty of the green Kathmandu valley with its geometrical fields, red, yellow and white coloured earthen houses, scents of soil, mountains and the peaceful atmosphere.
b.According to the tourist, why is the West indebted to the East ?
Ans.: According to the tourist, the East has given a lot of things to the West. And, these include religion and Puranas, images of brass and ornaments of ivory, manuscripts of palm leaves and inscriptions on copperplate. Likewise, the East has also given civilization and its wisdom to the West. And, the most important thing is that the East has given those things to the West selflessly and ignorantly. Hence, the West is indebted to the East according to the Tourist.
c.How does the tourist interpret the gaze of the monks and nuns?
Ans.: The tourist interprets the gaze of the monks and nuns as the ‘samyak gaze’, i.e. the gaze that one can perceive pure and without contamination – a sight that perceives everything in its true form:
d.Why do the tourists think Nepali people are wonderful and exceptional?
Ans.: In my opinion, the tourist thinks Nepali people are wonderful and exceptional since they are selfless, innocent and there is always a smile of welcome among the Nepalese people.
e.What are the different kinds of communities in the Kathmandu valley and how do they co-exist with each other?
Ans.: People of different origins, castes and religions live in the Kathmandu valley. The story mentions that people of Aryans and non-Aryans origin live in Kathmandu valley since a long time ago. Likewise, speaking of religion, Hindus and Buddhists religion came to this place and obtained a rebirth here. Likewise, speaking of the caste, Newari as well as people of other different castes live here in Kathmandu valley.
f.What does the tourist feel about the temple of Adinath ?
Ans.: The tourist in the story mentions the temple of Adinath. And, in the courtyard of the temple, there is a shrine of Shiva and there, one can see several Buddha images and many prayer wheels. And, this combination of Hinduism and Buddhism together, makes the tourist feel that this is the best example of Nepalese tolerance and coexistence.
g.Why does the guide take the tourist to the remote village?
Ans.: In the story, the guide takes the tourist to a remote village to show a child in a home who is affected by polio and born into a poor farmer’s household. And, the child is incapable of spreading the law or of making any contribution to this earth. Thus, the guide takes the tourist to a remote village so that the tourist can realize the dark and real part of poor Nepalese life, unlike some glimpses of people and places he has seen in the city side.
h.What does the innocent village couple think of the doctor ?
Ans.: When the guide introduces the tourist to the parents of a polio-affected son, Come, come closer. I have lied to his parents; I have told them that you are a doctor. Look… their faith in you shows in their eyes. There is intimacy, kindliness, and gratitude in their eyes as if your corning here were preordained. That smile you described is on their faces, as if you were their eldest son who has brought a life-restoring remedy across the seven seas for your brother. The old peasant woman is smiling, isn’t she? It’s as if she’s rejoicing at the birth of her first grandchild from your wife, the beauty of the world. I know that this same smile will remain on their faces as long as you are here. I know that it will be extinguished when you turn to go. Once you’ve gone they’ll sink back into the same old darkness.
i.What are the differences between the paralyzed child and his sister?
Ans.: Unlike the paralyzed child, his sister is not paralyzed. Her body functions properly. She can crawl around, picks up everything that comes across her way and puts it into her mouth. knocks over the beer and overturns the cooking stone. In contrast to this, the paralyzed child cannot do all these activities, but just watch her sister doing these activities with his eyes.
j.Why does the guide show the instances of poverty to the tourist?
Ans.: The guide shows the instances of poverty to the tourist to make the tourist realize the dark and real part of poor Nepalese life, unlike some glimpses of people and places he has seen in the city side. He also wants the tourists to love the things that are ugly but are a part of our life and society. In fact, it is a lesson to tourists that one should give due importance to the poor and incapable persons who are deprived of manifesting or presenting themselves.
Reference to the context
a.Which narrative technique is used by the author to tell the story? How is this story different from other stories you have read?
Ans.: Like other traditional stories, this story The Half-Closed Eyes of the Buddha and the Slowly Sinking Sun’ written by Shankar Lamichhane is different from them. This story deals with the monologues of two characters: a tourist guide in Kathmandu valley and a foreign tourist. The story is different from conventional stories because this story instead of showing actions and events, the story records what the two characters think in a stream of consciousness technique.
b.How is the author able to integrate two fragments of the narration into a unified whole?
Ans.: Unlike other traditional stories, this story is different in structure and style. The story is different from conventional stories because this story instead of showing actions and events, the story records what the two characters think in a stream of consciousness technique. This story deals with the monologues of two characters: a foreign tourist and a tourist guide in Kathmandu valley. The tourist in the story presents the magnificent and glorifies the culture, civilization of people of the East in general and Kathmandu in particular. He just enjoys the good and beautiful aspects of Nepalese culture and people. He is unaware of the poor and ugly condition of Nepalese society and people. And, the tourist and tourist guide do not express these actions and events directly, they express them in the form of monologues. And sway, the author is able to integrate two fragments of the narration into a unified whole.
c.The author brings some historical and legendary references in the story. Collect these references and show their significance in the story.
Ans.: In the story, the author brings historical and legendary references in several places. The major historical and legendary figures mentioned in the story are Manjushree, King Amshuverma, Princess Bhrikuti and Gautam Buddha.
Manjushree, in the history of Nepal, is believed to be a legendary figure who with his sword stroke at Chobhar and let the water flow out of the lake and after which, there emerged a fertile valley, i.e. Kathmandu Valley out of a lake. Likewise, Amsuhuverma was a farsighted emperor who in order to protect the Nepalese empire from Tibetans and enhance the Nepal- Tibet relations married his daughter Bhrikuti to a Tibetan king Tsrong Tsang Gampo. In a similar vein, Bhrikuti, also known as ‘green star’ went to Tibet after her marriage and set the roots of Buddhism there. And, the author in the story has also mentioned Gautam Buddha. ‘Light of Asia’, one who was born in Nepal as a prince and later has shown the path of peace and coexistence to the whole world.
The above mentioned historical and legendary references add great weightage and value to the story. The story would have been shallow and meaningless without mentioning these figures in story. Thus, the author has brilliantly used the above-mentioned legendary figure to enhance the appropriateness and quality of the story.
d.The author talks about the eyes in many places: the eyes of the shaven monks and nuns. eyes in the window and door panels, the eyes of the Himalayas, the eyes of the paralyzed boy, the eyes of the welcoming villagers and above all the half-closed eyes of the Buddha, Explain how all the instances of eyes contribute to the overall unity of the story.
Ans.: In the story, the author talks about the eyes in many places: the eyes of the carved lattice windows, the eyes painted on the door panels, the eyes on the stupas, the eyes of the people and the eyes of the Himalaya. Similarly in the story, the author also mentions that this is a land of eyes, a land guarded by the half-closed eyes of the Lord Buddha. These all eyes in the story depict the ‘samyak gaze’, i.e. it is a perception, pure and without contamination – a sight that perceives everything in its true form. In addition to this, the author in the story mentions that when a tourist comes to visit Nepal, he/she can see the half-closed eyes of the Buddha welcoming him/her at the airport. When one sees this, he/she feels as if one acquires calmness, as if one is returning once more to a resting place. The author too adds these eyes are very important because they carry the Nepalese history and culture within them.
However, the author in the latter part of the story presents the eyes of a paralyzed boy who cannot move his body parts and cannot do any of the work. His gaze is uninterested, without resolution or expression; it is inactive and listless, unexercised and lacking any measure of contemplation. But, the only thing that makes people believe that he is alive in his eyes. Doing so, the author in the story wants to make the tourist (and to all the readers of the story too) realize the dark side of the history, culture and life of people. This means that life has both good and bad parts. And, rather than being enchanted with only the bright part of life, it is equally important to a human being to realize the dark part of his/her life and only then, one can live a meaningful life.
Reference beyond the text
a. Write an essay on Living Proximity to Nature.
Ans.:
Living Proximity to Nature
Nature is an important and integral part of mankind. It is one of the greatest blessings for human life; however, nowadays humans fail to recognize it as one. Nature has been an inspiration for numerous poets, writers, artists and more of yesteryears. This remarkable creation has inspired them to write poems and stories in the glory of it. They truly value nature which reflects in their works even today. Essentially, nature is everything we are
surrounded by like the water we drink, the air we breathe, the sun we soak in, the birds we hear chirping, the moon we gaze at and more. Above all, it is rich and vibrant and consists of both living and non-living things. Therefore, people of the modern age should also learn something from people of yesteryear and start valuing nature before it gets too late. Everything we see around us, right from the moment we step outside our home is part of nature.
The trees, animals, landscape, flowers, trees, breeze, sunlight, everything that makes our surroundings so beautiful and mesmerizing are part of nature. Nature does not arise spontaneously but needs years and years to bloom and blossom.
The nature we see today has developed in 4.5 billion years ago according to the researchers. Initially, the earth was not sustainable for any kind of living thing. The atmosphere had no to very little oxygen, and the same was the case with water. The land made of molten magma and the atmosphere was toxic to survive. Slowly, the earth cooled down, and life started blooming on it. It began to rain, and nature, as we see today, was formed. This nature then gifted the earth with living creatures like animals, birds, and finally, humans.
It is the Mother Nature who never harms us but always nurtures us. By providing us fruits and vegetables, it nurtures our body. By providing us water hydrates our body, and by providing oxygen, it cleanses our body. It is usually seen that people who live close to nature, especially the villagers live a somewhat happy life as compared to the people living amidst the high hovering skyscrapers. Nature provides our ears sweet sound of birds, rejuvenates us with fresh air, breeze fills our soul with joy, and inspires to flow like the river. Nature provides the raw material for economic development as well.
Unfortunately, humans today are polluting nature in such a way that the healing pace has fallen slowly. The use of plastic, emission of CO2, production of industrial waste, increased use of chemicals, deforestation, poaching, and oil spillage in water bodies are serious concerns today. These are not only polluting nature and are also degrading the quality of the environment needed for the survival of not only animals and birds but also humans. Nature has inspired not only poets and writers but also the common man. All the great poets and writers like William Wordsworth have always given the nature a significant space in their writings and musings. Nature has the power to take us to the place of peace and imagination to free the emotions that been locked inside us. If those emotions and feelings get freed, then there is immense power in them to bring on the changes that are unexpected. Many people are currently working and getting linked with the nature conservation organizations to preserve and enhance the nature and beauty around us.
By taking small steps like planting trees, using biodegradable materials, stopping water pollution, animal conversation, and keeping our surroundings clean, we can help Mother Nature to breathe again and rejuvenate in the same way it helps us. Indeed, it is a blessing to live at the proximity or lap of the nature.
b.The story talks about the ethnic/religious co-existence of different communities in Nepal, where the Buddhists and the Hindus and the Aryans and non-Aryans have lived in communal harmony for ages. In your view, how have the Nepali people been able to live in such harmony?
Ans.: There is a well-known saying stated by the unifier of modern Nepal, King Prithvi Narayan Shah, “Nepal is a garden of 4 castes and 36 sub-castes.” This saying states well regarding the ethnic and religious co-existence of different communities in Nepal and this has happened not only at the present time but since time immemorial.
Since ancient times, people of different castes in Nepal have been living in unity and cooperation in a peaceful way. Here, the Aryan people of Indo-European origin as well as non-Aryan people such as Tibeto-Burman people and even Dravidians to some extent have been believed to live in peace and harmony in Nepal for a long time. Even within the Aryan as well as Tibeto-Burman group, people were divided into different religions as well as different castes and sub-castes. And, to my view, I can proudly state that these people have been living in such harmony for a very long past. The evidence of this harmony can be seen as no riot or war has taken place among the people of Nepal in the name of religion, caste or ethnicity. Not only this, the people of Nepal have been united and fought together irrespective of their religion and culture when outsiders have attacked Nepal. Even today, all Nepalese people in spite of their origin, race, culture, religion and ethnicity unite together when they sense the hegemony or unwanted influence to their culture, identity, religion, ethnicity and or to their nation’s interest.
Nepalese people irrespective of their race, origin, caste, ethnicity and culture have faith in ‘we feeling’ rather than ‘I-feeling’ for a long time in the past. Nepalese people have lived a life together helping one another in their works and even the farming, live-stock rearing and other forms of occupation were carried out together from a long past. Nepalese people from the very beginning of their living in Nepal have understood the benefit of their mutual relations, working together and sharing and caring together during the time of their work and festivals and in the time of happiness and sadness. Thus, the Nepalese people have been able to live in such harmony.