The Afrikaans Language Monument was built in Western Cape Province, South Africa, in 1975. The monument was built in honour of Afrikaans being declared an official language of South Africa. The monument comprises various tapering concave and convex structures that symbolize the influence of various languages and cultures on the Afrikaans language itself. Amazing Fact: […]
A stonecutter was very unhappy with his life. One day, he saw a monk and thought, ‘I wish I were a monk.’ Lo! Magically, the stonecutter became a monk. He started to preach people but he had to live in the forest. One day, the monk looked towards the sun and thought, ‘I wish I
One evening, a warrior was resting in his tent. The warrior had to fight in a battle the next morning. He found it very difficult to fall asleep, as he was worried. He knew that the enemy was very strong and feared that he would be defeated. Troubled, the warrior got up and went to
Once, a farmer and his family lived in a village. The farmer was so old that he could not work in the fields any more. He would just sit on the porch all day. His son was very angry that his father did not help him at all. One day, the son built a wooden
The National Women’s Memorial was built in South Africa in 1913. The Monument was built to honour the 27,000 Boer women and children who had died during the Second Boer War, in British concentration camps. The monument comprises a 35-metre high obelisk with low semi-circular walls on two sides and a central bronze sculpture of
Once, a famous monk visited a king’s palace. He made his way to where the king was sitting on his throne. The king immediately recognised the monk and said in reverence, “O holy man! what can I do for you?” “I would like a place to sleep in this inn,” replied the monk. The King
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
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
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
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
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
The prince, after facing the she-devils in the forest, reached Bodh Gaya. He entered a rest-house to rest for the night. A she devil had followed the prince and stood outside. The King of Bodh Gaya was passing by. He saw the she-devil and wanted to marry her. However, the she-devil said, “My husband is
The hundredth son of King Brahmadatta was advised that he could become a king only if he went to Bodh Gaya. On the way, the prince had to cross a forest full of narakas (demons). The determined prince and his five servants set out on their journey. She-devils, disguised as pretty women, followed them everywhere.