Shankar Lamichhane's story "The Half-closed Eyes of the Buddha and the Slowly Sinking Sun" 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, instead of showing actions and events, it records what the two characters think using a stream of consciousness technique. The following article includes summary, question answer, word meaning and important points from the story.
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The Half-closed Eyes of the Buddha and the Slowly Sinking Sun [Summary]
The story "Half-closed Eyes of the Buddha and the Slowly Sinking Sun" by Shankar Lamichhane is a powerful narrative (कथा) that shows the essence (सार) of Nepal and the people who call it home. The author uses a variety of literary (साहित्यिक) techniques to convey (व्यक्त गर्नु) the tourist's experience of Nepal and the different aspects of the country that he encounters (सामना गर्नु). One of the key themes (विषयवस्तु) of the story is the co-existence (सह-अस्तित्व) of different communities in Nepal, where the Buddhists, Hindus, Aryans, and non-Aryans have lived in communal (जातीय) harmony (एकता) for ages.
The author describes the tourist's initial (प्रारम्भिक) impression (प्रभाव) of the Kathmandu valley as one of joy and wonder (आश्चर्य), with the scent of soil and mountains in the air and an age-old peacefulness (शान्ति) in the atmosphere. The tourist notes that the embrace (काखमा लिनु) of the blue hills outspread (फैलिएको) arms confines (भित्र राख्नु) the locals, but for outsiders, it appeals (आग्रह गर्नु) to them. He also mentions the half-closed eyes of the Buddha, which seem to welcome him even at the airport, as if one acquires (पाउनु) a calmness and as if one is returning once more to a resting place.
According to the tourist, the West is indebted (ऋणी) to the East, as the East has given the West religion, the Puranas, images of brass and ornaments of ivory, manuscripts (पाण्डुलिपि) of palm leaves, and inscriptions (शिलालेखहरू) on copperplate (तामाको प्लेट). The East has given the West a civilization and its wisdom, and garlands of jasmine flowers. The East has continued to give, ignorant of what others call "taking," innocent of the notion of ownership. The very word indulgence (भोग विलास) is unknown to them.
The tourist interprets the gaze (नजर) of the monks and nuns as the "samyak gaze," which he describes as perception (धारणा) that is pure and without contamination (अपवित्रता), and sight that perceives everything in its true form. He finds the Easterners to be peaceful and contemplative (चिन्तनशील), and their gaze to be one of calm and serenity (स्वच्छता).
The tourist thinks Nepali people are wonderful and exceptional (विशिष्ट), as they are able to endure (सहन) their conditions with calm and peaceful gaze, which he believes is a characteristic (विशेषता) of Easterners. He also finds them to be generous (उदार) and hospitable (अतिथि सत्कार गर्ने), and his host takes him to a remote village to show him the welcoming villagers.
The story highlights (वर्णन गर्नु) the different kinds of communities in the Kathmandu valley and shows how they co-exist (सह-अस्तित्व) with each other. It states that Aryans, non-Aryans, Hindus, and Buddhists all came and obtained (प्राप्त) a rebirth in Nepal, and that it must be the effect of the country's soil that enabled all these races to flourish (समृद्ध हुनु) together. The story also talks about how different cultures and religions have co-existed in Nepal for centuries, with many religious practices and festivals being shared between different communities, which has helped to create a sense of shared cultural heritage (धरोहर).
The tourist also reflects (विचार्नु) on the temple of Adinath, where he finds the wooden images, multifarious (विविध) ornamentations, and many styles to have the flowing music of a chisel (छिनो) in the hands of an artist. He also speaks about the happy and prosperous (समृद्ध) young artists who worked in the fields all day and created beautiful images of their personal deities (देवताहरू) in their spare time (खाली समय), who are now covered by the dusts of the past.
The guide takes the tourist to a remote (एकान्त) village where they visit a couple with a paralyzed (पक्षाघातबाट ग्रस्त) child, who is unable to move, speak, chew his food, or even spit (थुक्नु). The tourist finds that the child's eyes are the only living parts of his body, and it is only his eyes that indicate (संकेत गर्नु) that he is actually alive. The guide explains that the child's gaze (नजर) is uninterested, without resolution (स्थिरता) or expression, inactive, and listless, unexercised, and lacking any measure of contemplation (चिन्तन). He also explains that the child is unable to give or take anything at all and just put himself in his position for a moment.
The innocent (निर्दोष) village couple welcomes the tourist as if he were a doctor and has come to heal (निको पार्नु) their child. They express their gratitude (कृतज्ञता) and intimacy (आत्मीयता) in their eyes and smile on their faces, as if it were preordained (पूर्वनिर्धारित) for the tourist to come. The guide explains that this same smile will remain on their faces as long as the tourist is there, but will be extinguished (हराउनु) when he leaves. He also mentions that once the tourist leaves, they will sink (निराश हुनु) back into the same old darkness.
The child has a sister who is able to move and crawl (बामे सर्नु) around, but the tourist observes that the child watches her with uninterested gaze. The guide explains that the child's gaze reflects the ambition to emulate (अनुसरण गर्नु).
The guide shows the instances (उदाहरणहरू) of poverty to the tourist, to give him a glimpse (झलक) of the life in Nepal and how the people have to live with their conditions. He also explains that the child's parents have lied (झूटो बोल्नु) to them, telling them that the tourist is a doctor and the parents show their faith in the tourist by their eyes and smiles, which reflects their intimacy, kindness and gratitude.
The author uses symbolism (प्रतीकात्मकता), imagery (कल्पना), and metaphor (उपमा) to convey the message of the story. He uses the eyes as a metaphor for the soul (आत्मा), and the eyes of the paralyzed child as a metaphor for the state of the poor in Nepal. The story is different from other stories as it brings out the real-life (वास्तविक जीवन) experiences (अनुभवहरू) of the people living in Nepal, their cultures, and their way of living.
In conclusion, “The Half-closed Eyes of the Buddha and the Slowly Sinking Sun” by Shanker Lamichhane is a powerful narrative (कथा) that captures the essence (सार) of Nepal and the people who call it home. The author uses a variety of literary (साहित्यिक) techniques to convey the tourist's experience of Nepal and the different aspects (पक्षहरू)of the country that he encounters. The theme (विषय-वस्तु) of co-existence of different communities in Nepal and the way they have been able to live in harmony (एकता) is one of the key elements of the story. The story also provides a glimpse (झलक) of the real-life experiences of the people living in Nepal, their cultures, and their way of living, which makes it different from other stories.
The Half-closed Eyes of the Buddha and the Slowly Sinking Sun [Question Answer]
a. How does the tourist describe his initial impression of the Kathmandu valley? (पर्यटकले काठमाडौं उपत्यकाको आफ्नो प्रारम्भिक प्रभावलाई कसरी वर्णन गर्नुहुन्छ?)
Answer: The tourist describes his initial impression of the Kathmandu valley as one of joy and wonder, with its green valley, geometric fields, earthen houses of red, yellow, and white, and the scent of soil and mountains in the air. He also mentions an age-old peacefulness in the atmosphere and how the embrace of the blue hills appeals to him as a Westerner.
b. According to the tourist, why is the West indebted to the East? (पर्यटकका अनुसार पश्चिम किन पूर्वको ऋणी ?)
Answer: According to the tourist, the West is indebted to the East for the religion, culture, and wisdom that the East has shared with the West, including the Puranas, images of brass and ivory, manuscripts of palm leaves and inscriptions on copperplate, and garlands of jasmine flowers. The tourist also notes that the East is unaware of the notion of ownership and the word indulgence is unknown to them.
c. How does the tourist interpret the gaze of the monks and nuns? (भिक्षु र ननहरूको नजरलाई पर्यटकले कसरी व्याख्या गर्छ?)
Answer: The tourist interprets the gaze of the monks and nuns as the samyak gaze, which he describes as perception that is pure and without contamination, and sight that perceives everything in its true form.
d. Why do the tourists think Nepali people are wonderful and exceptional? (किन पर्यटकले नेपालीलाई अद्भूत र विशिष्ट ठान्छन् ?)
Answer: The tourist thinks Nepali people are wonderful and exceptional because they are always giving to the West, they are innocent of the notion of ownership, and they have a capacity for remaining speechless, inactive, powerless, and immobile, and yet to survive without complaint, which the tourist believes can only be found in an Easterner.
e. What are the different kinds of communities in the Kathmandu valley and how do they co-exist with each other? (काठमाडौं उपत्यकामा विभिन्न प्रकारका समुदायहरू के-के छन् र तिनीहरू कसरी एकअर्कासँग मिलर बसेको छन्?)
Answer: The different kinds of communities in the Kathmandu valley include Aryans, non-Aryans, Hindus, and Buddhists. The tourist believes that these different cultures were able to flourish together in Nepal because of the country's soil and its ability to enable all these races to flourish together.
f. What does the tourist feel about the temple of Adinath? (आदिनाथको मन्दिर हेरेर पर्यटकलाई कस्तो लाग्छ ?)
Answer: The tourist does not express any direct feeling about the temple of Adinath but he admires the wooden images, multifarious ornamentations, and many styles of the temple, which he believes contain the flowing music of a chisel in the hands of an artist.
g. Why does the guide take the tourist to the remote village? (गाईडले पर्यटकलाई किन दुर्गम गाउँमा लैजान्छ ?)
Answer: The guide takes the tourist to the remote village to show him the eyes of a child with polio, who is unable to move or communicate, but is able to see and understand the world around him. The guide wants to show the tourist the eyes of this child as an example of the Easterner's capacity for remaining speechless, inactive, powerless, and immobile, and yet to survive without complaint.
h. What does the innocent village couple think of the doctor? (डाक्टरको बारेमा निष्कपट गाउँले दम्पती के सोच्छन्?)
Answer: The innocent village couple thinks of the doctor as a savior and they look at him with intimacy, kindliness, and gratitude, as if his coming there was preordained. They seem to be rejoicing at the birth of their first grandchild from his wife, the beauty of the world.
i. What are the differences between the paralyzed child and his sister? (पक्षाघात भएको बच्चा र उसको बहिनीमा के फरक छ?)
Answer: The differences between the paralyzed child and his sister are that the child is unable to move or communicate, but is able to see and understand the world around him, while his sister is able to move and play. The child's sister's activity reflects the child's ambition to emulate her, but is absorbed into the same old indifference.
j. Why does the guide show the instances of poverty to the tourist? (गाइडले पर्यटकलाई गरिबीको उदाहरण किन देखाउँछ?)
Answer: The guide shows the instances of poverty to the tourist to illustrate the contrast between the Westerner's way of life and the Easterner's way of life, and the way in which the child's condition is both different and the same. The guide also wants to show the emotional depth of the child's family and how they deal with their child's condition.
What does the tourist initially feel when he sets foot on the soil of Nepal? (नेपालको माटोमा पाइला राख्दा सुरुमा पर्यटकलाई कस्तो अनुभूति हुन्छ ?)
Answer: The tourist initially feels joy and is impressed by the green valley with its geometric fields, earthen houses of red, yellow, and white, and the scent of soil and mountains in the air.
How does the tourist interpret the gaze of the monks and nuns? (भिक्षु र ननहरूको नजरलाई पर्यटकले कसरी व्याख्या गर्छ?)
Answer: The tourist interprets the gaze of the monks and nuns as perception, pure and without contamination; sight that perceives everything in its true form.
What does the tourist think of Nepali people? (पर्यटकले नेपालीलाई के सोच्छन् ?)
Answer: The tourist thinks that Nepali people are wonderful and exceptional for their ability to give to the West and for their Indulgence.
What are the different kinds of communities in the Kathmandu valley? (काठमाडौं उपत्यकामा विभिन्न जातजातिको समुदाय के–के छन् ?)
Answer: The different kinds of communities in the Kathmandu valley are Aryans, non-Aryans, Hindus, and Buddhists.
How do the innocent village couple feel about the doctor? (डाक्टरको बारेमा निर्दोष गाउँले दम्पतीलाई कस्तो लाग्छ?)
Answer: The innocent village couple feel intimacy, kindness and gratitude towards the doctor, as if his coming there was preordained.
What are the differences between the paralyzed child and his sister? (पक्षाघात भएको बच्चा र उसको बहिनीमा के फरक छ?)
Answer: The paralyzed child is unable to move or speak, whereas his sister is able to move and crawl around.
What does the tourist think about the half-closed eyes of the Buddha? (बुद्धका आधा बन्द आँखाबारे पर्यटकले के सोच्छन् ?)
Answer: The tourist thinks that the half-closed eyes of the Buddha seem to welcome him, as if one acquires a calmness, as if one is returning once more to a resting place.
How does the tourist feel about the wooden images and ornamentations in the temple of Adinath? (आदिनाथ मन्दिरमा काठका चित्र र सजावट देखेर पर्यटकलाई कस्तो लाग्छ ?)
Answer: The tourist feels that there is the flowing music of a chisel in the hands of an artist in the wooden images and ornamentations in the temple of Adinath.
What is the condition of the child that the guide takes the tourist to see? (गाइडले पर्यटकलाई हेर्न लैजाने बच्चा अवस्था के छ ?)
Answer: The child that the guide takes the tourist to see is paralyzed and unable to speak, move his hands, chew his food, or even spit. His eyes are the only living parts of his body.
What does the guide tell the child's parents about the tourist? (गाइडले बच्चाको अभिभावकलाई पर्यटकको बारेमा के भन्छ?)
Answer: The guide tells the child's parents that the tourist is a doctor.
How do the child's parents feel about the tourist? (बालबालिकाको अभिभावकलाई पर्यटकको बारेमा कस्तो लाग्छ?)
Answer: The child's parents feel intimacy, kindness and gratitude towards the tourist, as if his coming there was preordained.
What does the tourist think about the gaze of the paralyzed child? (पक्षाघात भएको बच्चाको आँखाको बारेमा पर्यटक के सोच्छन्?)
Answer: The tourist thinks that the gaze of the paralyzed child is uninterested, without resolution or expression, inactive and listless, unexercised and lacking any measure of contemplation.
What does the tourist believe is the reason for the communal harmony among different communities in Nepal? (नेपालमा रहेका विभिन्न समुदायबीचको साम्प्रदायिक सद्भावको कारण के हो भन्ने पर्यटकको विश्वास छ ?)
Answer: The tourist believes that the reason for the communal harmony among different communities in Nepal is the effect of the country's soil, which enables all these races to flourish together.
What is the significance of Manjushri strikes with his sword at Chobhar in the story? (कथामा मञ्जुश्रीले चोभारमा तरवार प्रहार गर्नुको के अर्थ छ ?)
Answer: The significance of Manjushri strikes with his sword at Chobhar in the story is that it is a reference to a historical event that shows how different cultures have come together and co-existed in Nepal.
What does the tourist think about the Princess Bhrikuti taking with her when King Amshuvarma sent her off to Tibet? (राजा अम्शुवर्माले तिब्बत पठाउँदा राजकुमारी भृकुटीलाई साथमा लिएर गएकोमा पर्यटक के सोच्छन् ?)
Answer: The tourist thinks that the Princess Bhrikuti taking with her when King Amshuvarma sent her off to Tibet is an indication of the richness of Nepali culture and history.
What does the tourist think about the old peasant woman who is smiling? (मुस्कुराइरहेकी वृद्ध किसान महिलाको बारेमा पर्यटक के सोच्छन्?)
Answer: The tourist thinks that the old peasant woman's smile is a reflection of the genuine hospitality and warmth of the Nepali people.
What is the significance of the child's sister in the story? (कथामा बालककी बहिनीको महत्व के छ ?)
Answer: The significance of the child's sister in the story is to show the contrast between the child's condition and a normal functioning child, highlighting the child's struggles and limitations.
What does the guide's act of lying to the child's parents about the tourist signify? (पर्यटकको बारेमा बच्चाका आमाबाबुलाई झुटो बोल्ने गाइडको कार्यले के संकेत गर्छ?)
Answer: The guide's act of lying to the child's parents about the tourist signifies the guide's understanding of the villagers' needs and their willingness to believe in anyone who can help them.
Why does the tourist keep mentioning the “eyes” throughout the story? किन पर्यटकले कथाभरि “आँखाको” उल्लेख गरिरहन्छ?
Answer: The tourist keeps mentioning the eyes throughout the story as a way to express the emotions, feelings, and thoughts of the characters, and as a symbol of insight, understanding, and perception.
What is the significance (महत्व) of the title "The Half-closed Eyes of the Buddha and the Slowly Sinking Sun"?
Answer: The title "The Half-closed Eyes of the Buddha and the Slowly Sinking Sun" is significant in the story as it symbolizes the peacefulness (शान्ति) and tranquility of the Kathmandu valley and the Eastern culture in general.
The half-closed eyes of the Buddha represent the acceptance (स्वीकृति) and peacefulness of the Eastern culture, while the slowly sinking sun represents the passing of time and the change that comes with it.
Together, they suggest that the Eastern culture is one that is steeped (खडा भएको) in tradition and has a deep understanding of the transience (क्षणिकता) of life. Additionally, the title also presents the contrast between the peacefulness of the Eastern culture and the fast-paced, materialistic (भौतिकवादी) nature of the West.
Explain the meaning of the title of the story "The Half-closed Eyes of the Buddha and the Slowly Sinking Sun"
Answer: The title "The Half-closed Eyes of the Buddha and the Slowly Sinking Sun" is a metaphor (उपमा) that captures the central themes and motifs (मूलभाव) of the story.
The "Half-closed Eyes of the Buddha" refers to the peaceful (शांतिपूर्ण) and accepting nature of Eastern culture, specifically the culture of Nepal as described by the tourist. The tourist feels a sense of calm and serenity (स्वच्छता) upon arriving in Nepal and is struck by the half-closed eyes of the Buddha statues, which he interprets as a welcoming gesture (भाव). This imagery is used throughout the story to symbolize (प्रतीक) the peaceful and accepting nature of Eastern culture.
The "Slowly Sinking Sun" represents the passing of time and the change that comes with it. The story talks about how the traditional way of life and culture in Nepal is slowly being eroded (बिस्तारै- बिस्तारै नष्ट गर्दे जानु) by modernization and the influence (प्रभाव) of Western culture. The imagery of the slowly sinking sun symbolizes this gradual (क्रमिक) change, suggesting that the traditional ways of life and culture in Nepal are slowly disappearing.
Together, the title "The Half-closed Eyes of the Buddha and the Slowly Sinking Sun" captures the themes of peacefulness and acceptance of Eastern culture, as well as the passing of time and the change that comes with it. It suggests that although the Eastern culture is peaceful and accepting, it is also facing the challenges of modernization (आधुनिकीकरण) and the erosion of traditional ways of life.
The Half-closed Eyes of the Buddha and the Slowly Sinking Sun [Important Points]
- The Westerner's belief that the West is indebted (ऋणी) to the East for its contributions (योगदानहरू) in terms of religion, culture, and wisdom.
- The tourist interprets the gaze of the monks and nuns as perception, pure and without contamination; sight that perceives everything in its true form.
- The tourist thinks Nepali people are wonderful and exceptional because of their ability to give without the concept of ownership and indulgence.
- The different kinds of communities in the Kathmandu valley are Aryans, non-Aryans, Hindus, and Buddhists.
- The tourist feels that the temple of Adinath is a house like a temple, but the locals are unaware of its beauty and enchantment.
- The guide takes the tourist to a remote village to show him the eyes of a paralyzed child.
- The innocent village couple think of the doctor as a savior who has brought a life-restoring remedy across the seven seas for their brother.
- The paralyzed child's sister can crawl around and put things in her mouth, while the child cannot move his hands, chew his food, or even spit.
- The guide shows the instances of poverty to the tourist to show him that life is not always perfect and that people learn to cope with it.
- The tourist describes the scent of the soil and mountains in the air as being peacefulness.
- The tourist finds it fascinating that the half-closed eyes of the Buddha seem to welcome him even at the airport.
- The tourist is told that the child he is visiting is not a divine incarnation, but is a paralyzed child.
- The child's eyes are the only living parts of his body and it is only his eyes that indicate that he is actually alive.
- The old man's wife is mindful of the old man, she carries on making fresh momos.
- The old lady is smoking tobacco from a bamboo hookah.
- The guide tells the tourist that the child's parents believe that he is a doctor and their faith in him shows in their eyes.
- The guide says that the villagers' smile will be extinguished when the tourist turns to go.