Two Faiths Living Side By Side...

February 15 – 19, 2014

Kathmandu, Nepal

About five km. from the city center of Kathmandu and located on the western bank of the Bagmati River is the Pasupatinath temple, one of the holiest temples in the world and revered and worshipped by both Hindus and Buddhists. It is originally thought to have been a simple stone structure, but rebuilt many times, and possibly attaining its present shape in the late 14^th century under King Jayashiti Malla. The temple and its surroundings were renovated in 1959 by King Mahendra and there is now a trust set up to take care of maintenance and repairs.

Lord Pasupatinath is  worshipped as both Lord Shiva and the Buddha, who, according to Hindu and Buddhist belief, both taught the value of love, humanity, and universal peace and, as the temple complex is revered by both religions, it is a reflection of the religious harmony that exists in Nepal.

 What captured our attention for well over an hour was the viewing of cremation sites. In Varanasi, India, these ceremonies take place in the evening, whereas here, cremations take place all day long. Although death is personal and the grief experienced at a loss is felt most deeply by family and close friends, the act of cremation  is both a private and public event. Gathered around the mourners were throngs of people who had come to pay respect to the deceased and bid a last good-bye. We stood across a small river bank and, as we watched, mesmerized, we were all reminded at the fragility of life and that, regardless of one's religious beliefs, there is finality in death. 

Bhaktapur, whose history goes back to the early 8^th century, and, for several centuries, the sovereign city of Nepal, is its cultural capital. Currently populated by about one hundred thousand people, primarily Hindu and Buddhist, it is another example of how two faiths can live side by side, enjoying one another's traditions and festivals. The art, architecture, and cultural heritage of the city are visible throughout; the money earned from tourist entrance fees is used to preserve Bhaktapur's history, keep it clean, build and develop infrastructure, educate its inhabitants, and give them grants to purchase wood and bricks to build their homes in traditional styles.