"..at the end of our lives, we will not be judged by how many diplomas
we have received, how much money we have made or how many great things
we have done. we will be judged by 'i was hungry and you gave me to eat.
i was naked and you clothed me. i was homeless and you took me in'."

-Mother Theresa

Mother Theresa home in Pashupatinath..

i walked through Briddhashram and saw where elderly people live. touching
scenes-- old people in various states of crippling and disfigurement, living
on low benches in long dark corridors.. "if you put money to the collection
boxes,it doesnt really go to the old people back" my guide says, "..and if
you give money to them directly, they wouldn't know what to do with it either
and might buy things other than food or have it stolen" he adds.. "..so the
best is to give it to the caretakers who do their jobs with their hearts,
they would buy food for them.."

sustained mostly by donations, the Briddhashram residents consider themselves
lucky in all of Nepal though.. it is the only place for elderly people in Nepal,
and they are probably the most fortunate ones..

Dana Lakshmi, a Newari woman, 85 years of age, a bit grumphy but a very chatty
one (here).. she has leprosy and cannot walk, and has to be taken to the toilet
by the caretaker every time.. she is here for more than 15 years, and is happy
to be here my guide translates.."they give us food, clothing and take care of us,
which is all we need because after all we are going to die soon.." and another
old Sherpa woman says to me: "our daily routine is so simple and peaceful. we are
served good food and then we go for prayers in the morning and in the evening.
it’s better to live here on the lap of Lord Pashupatinath than at my kids' house
which is filled with hatred..

through the complex, the Bagmati river flows quietly past the ghats where pandits
cremate human remains daily, dumping the ashes into the river where they flow
downstream, eventually to the sacred Ganges..