Every culture has its own treasure trove of stories. As somebody who has always been thirsty for the knowledge of stories, I have managed to research many stories on my own ranging from different religions to civilisations.
I am intrigued majorly by Greek and Roman mythology along with the stories of Nordic and Egyptian myths. However, with the introduction of a subject called Intercultural Communication, I have rediscovered the epic stories from my own culture which I have read and re-read from a very young age.
These stories include the formation of Kathmandu as a valley, the instatement of Kal Bhairav as the valley's protector, the stories of the living Goddess of Nepal along with other epic stories such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
The first story that I mention, i.e. the formation of Kathmandu as a valley is a story every young child living in Kathmandu is taught from a young age. It was said that Kathmandu Valley was once a large lake with hills all around it and a beautiful, divine lotus grew in the middle of the lake. One day, Manjushri, the great Bodhisattva was travelling through the land when he saw the lotus in the middle of the lake and noticed the divine light it emitted. So with his burning sword, he cut a gorge through the hills of Chovar and drained the water. Where the lotus settled, the great Swayambhunath Stupa was created and the valley was fit for habitation.
These kinds of stories make me realise how powerful stories really are. The belief that stories hold is something that is passed down from generations to generations which is an act which is beautiful in itself.
Just imagine, these are the stories our ancestors listened to. These are the stories we are listening to. And these are the stories that our future generations will listen to. So it is safe to say that stories really shape the culture and practice of any society.
I am intrigued majorly by Greek and Roman mythology along with the stories of Nordic and Egyptian myths. However, with the introduction of a subject called Intercultural Communication, I have rediscovered the epic stories from my own culture which I have read and re-read from a very young age.
These stories include the formation of Kathmandu as a valley, the instatement of Kal Bhairav as the valley's protector, the stories of the living Goddess of Nepal along with other epic stories such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
The first story that I mention, i.e. the formation of Kathmandu as a valley is a story every young child living in Kathmandu is taught from a young age. It was said that Kathmandu Valley was once a large lake with hills all around it and a beautiful, divine lotus grew in the middle of the lake. One day, Manjushri, the great Bodhisattva was travelling through the land when he saw the lotus in the middle of the lake and noticed the divine light it emitted. So with his burning sword, he cut a gorge through the hills of Chovar and drained the water. Where the lotus settled, the great Swayambhunath Stupa was created and the valley was fit for habitation.
These kinds of stories make me realise how powerful stories really are. The belief that stories hold is something that is passed down from generations to generations which is an act which is beautiful in itself.
Just imagine, these are the stories our ancestors listened to. These are the stories we are listening to. And these are the stories that our future generations will listen to. So it is safe to say that stories really shape the culture and practice of any society.
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