Guest Contributor – Håkan Hagström
Article submitted by Håkan Hagström
[TO BE VOTED ON! The article or video with the most number of views by 21 April 2013 will win a Manjushri statue!]
Submitted article for “BLOG COMPETITION: Invite back a Manjushri statue!”
How Dharma has benefited my life
I’ve not always been a Buddhist. I was born into Christianity but as I grew older I realized that the religion wasn’t compatible with my mind. In the beginning of the millenium I left the Lutheran church, not ascribing to any religion.
In the summer of 2008 I was having a rough time. I was in a constant state of stress and was starting to feel detached from the world. I had read that meditation could reduce stress and hoped that it maybe could help me regain control of my life again. A couple of years earlier I had bought a copy of Alan Watts’s “The Way of Zen” in a second hand store but it had only collected dust in my book case until now. I picked it up and started reading.
A few days later I tried meditating for the first time. It was so hard! I had no idea what I was doing or how it was supposed to feel. My legs ached. I was trying to fight my way to stillness and the smallest movement or sound would break my concentration. When I think back, those memories feel so foreign to me compared to how meditation feels now.
After some time I found E-Sangha, a very large Buddhist Internet discussion forum at the time, where I started enquiring about the Dharma. Many helpful persons frequented the forum and I learned a lot there. When my father passed away, a lady there helped me with Bardo prayers for him.
But there was also controversy in the E-Sangha forums. There were topics and opinions that were not allowed; traditions that were not deemed real Buddhism by the administrators and moderators, and members breaking the taboos were banned. I didn’t really understand much of what was going on there back then. One day the site didn’t work anymore and would never do so again. I had nowhere to go with my questions.
The thing is that I live in a small town in Finland. Only 0.1% of Finland’s population are Buddhists and the closest Sanghas and Dharma Centers are roughly 80 km away from my town. I had been somewhat dependent on my virtual sangha and roamed the Internet for a while trying to find a similar site. Being unsuccessful, I finally I decided to start my own. I set up the freesangha.com forums where I wanted members of all Buddhist traditions to be welcome. A few others and I banded together and tried to create the correct framework and atmosphere. The first year or so was quite shaky with lots of drama until we found a good balance. Today the forum is quite healthy and I like to think that it has benefited both me and others.
Last year I had the chance to Japan to work for three months and during that time I had ample possibilities to visit temples. It was a very important time for me as there are no similar places where I live. I hope I get a chance to visit a country with a rich Buddhist culture again some day.
I think the Dharma has benefited me in many ways. I’m calmer and happier; more content with life. I’ve quit drinking and even joined a temperance society. The alcohol culture is very strong in Finland; people drink often and much. Some people even think that there must be something wrong with you if you don’t drink. Among working-age people in Finland, alcohol related death is the most common cause of death.
A lot of the members of the temperance society are senior citizens and they were about to dissolve it, after having celebrated their 50th anniversary just the year before. They could not find enough members willing to take positions on the board but when I applied for membership and accepted the position as secretary, it made it possible for them to continue, so in a sense I like to think that the Dharma has benefited them as well even though they are not Buddhists.
Me and the Kamakura Daibutsu
Zuisenji, my favourite temple in Kamakura, Japan
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This is a very refreshing read! Thank you, Håkan Hagström for sharing with us your personal journey on spirituality and Buddhism. It is hard to imagine for those who have the luck to be born in a place where Buddhism is accessible that how hard it must be for you to want to search for answers but with no avenue. Rejoice for your determination and initiative in helping yourself. In more than one ways, you also helped others. I pray that you will continue on your spiritual journey despite the distance. May all that you are searching for be found right here on Tsem Rinpoche’s blog.
Good luck
[…] Håkan Hogstrom […]
Hi Håkan Hagström,
Nice to know buddhists from Europe. If you have free time and feel boring you may skype me. My Skype ID: Woon811
Appreciate.
Hello Hakan,
I felt inspired after reading your article. You are indeed a man of actions, someone I strive to become.
Thanks for sharing.
Jim
This is very interesting to hear from someone so far away as you. It is empowering to hear how much benefit that you derive from Buddhism although you don’t live anywhere near a center when you can practice with other practitioners. I enjoyed reading your anecdote and rejoice at your progress. I love your pictures of the temples and of the great Daibutsu. I would very much like to travel to Japan too one of these days. But come to think of it, I rather travel to Tibet first before Japan. Actually, there are a lot of places I would like to go.
Dear Håkan,
It’s amazing to read through your story from Findland. To transform oneself into a Buddhist in a Christian country definitely requires a great effort and strong determination. I am truly glad that you have come to Rinpoche’s blog and hope that you will continue to become stronger in Dharma path with many blessings received and merits gained. I wish you well in spiritual practice and spread the Dharma to help more people with Buddhist teachings. Rejoice for you brother Håkan!
Dear Håkan Hagström, thanks for ur sharing.
May u able to help Rinpoche to promote his blog to ur friends over there. May they able to learn and practice Dharma through this awesome social media…
Hi Hakan,
Thank you for sharing your wonderful and inspiring story!
Great to know after much struggle, you found your way. I like the part where you did not give up and persevered as you wanted more knowledge. I went to see your site and it looks good and interesting. Although it is just 0.1% of the population, I am sure with your effort and knowledge, you can make it grow bigger. May Manjushri expand your wisdom and that you benefit more!
Rinpoche’s blog has benefited and transformed the lives of many. Great to know that Haken is one of them and reading Rinpoche’s blog from a far distant land!
Thank you, Haken, for sharing your story. I am glad that dharma has made you happier and calmer and that you are doing the best you can to share the dharma by setting up your own forum.
I wish you well in your spiritual journey.
Dear Håkan,
It is great to read about your story. I love to read how people from non-typical buddhist countries come to accept Buddhism in their lives.
I am glad to read that Buddhism has given you much peace and happiness and that with the trusts that you have in the Buddhas, you have made yourself available for Buddhism teachings through your participation in Buddhist network.
I am glad to read that you have chosen to give up drinking also, something that is far too common in Finland. You have done what others see as uncommon, but quitting alcohol is certainly the good thing to do.
I wish you well and much happiness in the far away Finland.
Ii wish Brother Hakan all the best in his Dharma journey. Reading about what he went through is really inspiring. It makes me feel that i am having things so easy; in fact, i am taking things for granted. I realise that i have so many precious opportunities (as mentioned in the lamrin texts)! We in Malaysia must truly appreciate wonderful teachers like Tsem Tulku Rinpoche – we must appreciate Rinpoche’s effort – do something!
Sistet Patsy Gooi used to say (and still says), “Read Rinpoche’s blog lah!” That’s true, make that your ‘daily bread’ or ‘daily nasi lemak’! Thank you/ “kam-siah” Rinpoche!
Hi Hakan! Great to see someone from Finland on Rinpoche’s blog! I am always amazed at the vast array of nationalities who visit this blog! How did you hear about Tsem Rinpoche? I have been to freesangha.com now and then so it’s very nice to meet you! I hope you will join us on the blog chat sometimes too so we can get to know one another better!