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III. Answer the following questions in not more than 100&ndash... - Beehive
III. Answer the following questions in not more than 100–150 words each.
1. Compare and contrast the atmosphere in and around the Baudhnath shrine with the Pashupatinath temple.
2. How does the author describe Kathmandu’s busiest streets?
3. “To hear any flute is to be drawn into the commonality of all mankind.” Why does the author say this?
1. Compare and contrast the atmosphere in and around the Baudhnath shrine with the Pashupatinath temple.
The author presents a sharp contrast between the two religious sites. The Pashupatinath temple is characterized by "febrile confusion." The atmosphere is chaotic and noisy, filled with priests, hawkers, devotees, tourists, and animals like cows, monkeys, and dogs. People elbow each other to reach the front, and the riverbank is busy with cremation and laundry. In contrast, the Baudhnath stupa offers a "sense of stillness." The massive white dome is surrounded by a quiet road with small shops owned by Tibetan immigrants. There are no crowds or loud noises, creating a peaceful and meditative environment. While Pashupatinath represents the bustling and restless side of religious life, Baudhnath stands as a calm haven of silence and order.
2. How does the author describe Kathmandu’s busiest streets?
The author describes Kathmandu’s busiest streets as narrow, crowded, and full of life. He calls the city "mercenary, religious, and busy." The streets are lined with small shrines and deities adorned with flowers. The marketplace is a sensory overload: there are fruit sellers, flute sellers, and hawkers selling postcards, copper utensils, and Tibetan antiques. The air is filled with a variety of sounds, including film songs blaring from radios, car horns, bicycle bells, and the loud cries of vendors. One can also find shops selling Western cosmetics, film rolls, and chocolate. The author captures the vividness of the streets by mentioning the smell of incense and the sight of stray cows roaming among the crowd.
3. “To hear any flute is to be drawn into the commonality of all mankind.” Why does the author say this?
The author says this because the flute is a universal instrument found in almost every culture, appearing in various forms such as the Japanese shakuhachi, the deep Indian bansuri, and the high-pitched Chinese flutes. Despite their differences in shape and sound, every flute shares a fundamental connection to the human breath. The author observes that to play the flute, one must breathe life into it, and this breath must be paused and regained, much like the rhythm of human life itself. The music of the flute is simple yet profound, transcending geographical and cultural boundaries. Because it relies on the most basic human act—breathing—it serves as a powerful reminder of our shared human experience and links all of humanity together.