A collection of legends about the site, the 15th century Swayambhu Purana,
tells of a miraculous lotus, planted by a past Buddha, which blossomed from
the lake that once covered Kathmandu valley. The lotus mysteriously radiated
a brilliant light, and the name of the place came to be Swayambhu, meaning
"Self-Created or Self-Existent".  Saints, sages and divinities traveled to the lake
to venerate this miraculous light for its power in granting enlightenment.
During this time, the Bodhisatva Manjushri was meditating at the sacred mountain
of Wu Tai Shan in China when he had a vision of the dazzling Swayambhu light.
Manjushri flew across the mountains of China and Tibet upon his blue lion to
worship the lotus. Deeply impressed by the power of the radiant light, Manjushri felt
that if the water were drained out of the lake Swayambhu would become more easily
accessible to human pilgrims. With a great sword Manjushri cut a gorge in the
mountains surrounding the lake. The water, draining away, left the valley of
present day Kathmandu. The lotus was then transformed into a hill and
the light became the Swayabhunath Stupa.

Prayer wall inside Swayambhunath temple with prayer flags overhead. 10/14/2000

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