Li Daozhen: Decoding Myths (5) - Mythical Stories

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V. Myths and Legends

As the name implies, myths recount the words and deeds of gods, weaving tales of divine communication and miracles. Legends, on the other hand, are narratives that have been handed down from antiquity to the present day, passed orally through generations. Our understanding of human history mainly stems from written records and historical texts. But how was this vast history shared before the invention of writing?

History was primarily preserved through the collective memory of humanity, conveyed orally from one generation to the next. These stories have evolved into the myths and legends we recognize today. This oral tradition represents another vital means of recording history.

This ancient method remains in practice even now. In certain cultures worldwide, mysterious skills or secrets are safeguarded, often without being written down or because the culture lacks a writing system. In such cases, these insights are entrusted to the memories of chosen individuals. As one guardian ages, a new successor is selected to carry forth the secrets orally from generation to generation. This practice can persist for hundreds or even thousands of years without the original content being lost or altered.

In ancient Africa, many indigenous tribes preserved their history in this manner, viewing it as a sacred and essential mission. As the oral historians aged, the tribe would host a significant ceremony to select a successor. The selected individual would then undergo rigorous training, learning to recite all the myths and legends of their tribe and incorporating recent important events for future transmission.

Our wise and benevolent ancestors, nearing the end of their lives, held a deep desire to impart their most vital life experiences, the origins of their people, and key historical events to their descendants. This ensured that future generations remembered their roots and continued their legacy. Many ancient histories have been preserved in this way and have become the myths and legends shared by our ancestors since our early years.

In Tibet, the renowned mystery of "Terma" remains enigmatic. The most mystical aspect of "Terma" is "Shizang," involving treasures deeply embedded in human consciousness. It is believed that when sacred texts or mantras face destruction and cannot be physically recorded, they are hidden within human consciousness by deities. When the time for transmission is right, and under the guidance of mysterious forces, designated guardians—often illiterate farmers or herders—can recite or document these texts.

Take the "Epic of King Gesar" as an example. This illustrious Tibetan epic boasts over a hundred extant versions, collectively reaching millions of words. Memorizing it is a daunting task for anyone, let alone illiterate farmers and herders. This epic has survived in Tibetan culture through oral narration, sung and recited across generations by bards. Many of these bards, described as "divinely inspired," claim to suddenly acquire the ability to recite the epic following a severe illness or in a dream, believing they received this gift through divine will or from King Gesar himself, unlocking the Shizang. This miraculous method continues to transmit the epic in Tibet.

Several ancient histories, lost during humanity's various upheavals, have re-emerged through extraordinary means, forming today's myths and legends. The myths and legends passed down through diverse cultures since ancient times may represent humanity's most precious ancient historical records, rather than mere flights of fancy.

Ancient Greece's celebrated literary masterpiece, the "Iliad," depicts the Trojan War myth. Initially, Western scholars thought it was a fictional tale, believing the Trojan War, along with nations like Troy and Mycenae, was fabricated. However, German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann's excavations confirmed the existence of Troy and Mycenae, shaking previous beliefs. It became clear that the "Iliad" contained more than myth, revealing true history.

Over time, historical events have blended into myths, while myths, once reflecting real history, have been obscured by time. By decoding these myths, we can uncover the truth of human existence and our world, as they serve as a source of our history.

Chinese culture also harbors unsolved enigmas, such as the River Diagram, Luo Shu, Tai Chi, Bagua, I Ching, traditional Chinese medicine, Feng Shui, and astrology. These ancient traditions continue to challenge our understanding. Myths like Pangu creating the world, Nuwa crafting humans, Fuxi drawing the hexagrams, Cangjie inventing characters, Nuwa mending the sky, Hou Yi shooting down suns, and Da Yu controlling floods also remain puzzling to modern minds, often dismissed as absurd tales.

Gods are believed to be higher-dimensional beings. If we compare divine wisdom to that of a university professor, human wisdom might resemble that of a young child. Trying to explain complex university topics to kindergarteners would require simplification into language they could comprehend. Similarly, profound myths might have become secularized and simplified throughout generations to ensure understanding, warping their original form.

Let us take this special moment to transcend human limitations and unveil the true essence of myths, revealing their magnificent authenticity.