Guest Contributor – Sara Kazemi
Article submitted by Sara Kazemi
[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!”
I am Sara. I born in the snowy winter, In Tehran. And this is my story.
I didn’t know Buddhism. Four years ago I married a Buddhist guy in Iran . I know! Iranian Buddhist is so strange but is true. I married him .after marriage when I see his behavior I told myself: what is inside him? and what is the reason of this peaceful manner?
Two years ago my husband suddenly disappeared. After six hours he came back home.
Some people in Iranian government menaced him whit gun and hit his knee, then they quit him in mountain alone.
After that our life changed.
Four mount later this situation happened again. When he was going to bookstore in afternoon He disappear for seven days. He vanished. Me and our family was in a terrible situation .After seven days he came back. He tortured and menaced again. After that we decided to run away from Iran because if government arrested him again he must died.
Government arrested him because he is Buddhist and also Buddhist researcher.
In Iran when somebody change their religion they execute them.
We came to Malaysia and became refugee to UNHCR office.
He tolerance very bad situation. Because of that, now he has a Asthma, heart and lien problem. And pain in his knee. Because of our financial problem he could not visit a doctor.
We decide to try our best and instant of being angry to our world and being calm until time change and our life will be normal.
“He is so strong. When I see him, I see dharma wheel turning. Like whatever lord Buddha said.”
Please support us so that we can continue to bring you more Dharma:
If you are in the United States, please note that your offerings and contributions are tax deductible. ~ the tsemrinpoche.com blog team
Thank you Sara for sharing you and your husband journey in order to learn and practise Buddhism. It is unfortunate that your husband has to go through all the abuse and torture. You both are very strong in your determining your practise and principal. I hope you have all the help needed and be blessed by Three Jewels to practise dharma wherever you are.
This serves as a WAKE UP call for me. To Sara and her family, I salute your perseverance. Although I did encounter people who are against me on following the Buddha’s path, but it will never amount to the difficulties and the risks that you have gone through. From your story, all I needed to do is to pack up, buckle up and GO. That’s it!
Dear Sara,
Your husband is very courageous and sure understand the value of Dharma, he risks his life to practice Dharma. I really respect him.
On the other hand, how fortunate we are living in Malaysia. Even though we are a muslim country but we are free to practice the religion we want.
Dear Sara,
Wow! You have a wonderful and inspiring story to share here. It serves as an inspiration to many Buddhists who are out there and experiencing obstacles that are far less and often self-created. I will do my best to remember your story when I do encounter little self-created problems of mine. As May Ong as already extended a helping hand to you should you need anything. Meanwhile, we do hope to hear from you on this blog from time to time.
Dear Sara, i wish u and ur family will be well and always bless by 3 jewels.
Ur sharing make a reminder for us that how fortunate we have a good condition in Malaysia hence with Rinpoche here. We should really move up to appreciate we are in such perfect conditions.
May our mind transform as soon possible to help Rinpoche to spread Dharma to ten directions…
Dear Sara, religion or spirituality taught us to be compassionate towards other, not for oppressing others of their rights and freedom to choose. You have shown to us that it is more important to stand firm on one’s believe on peacefulness no matter what sufferings occurred in order to gain freedom. May your husband and you be blessed on your spiritual journey for yourself and for others.
Dear Sara,
I hope you and your husband are fine now. I am really moved by your story about keeping one’s faith. When we truly believe in something, no matter what this things bring to us, we endure it all as the faith here is speaking about the truth of our life.
I always ask myself, that why there are people still live in ignorance which could punish people for different beliefs? And the thing that arise in my mind is that, it’s because as Buddhist we didn’t do enough to free their mind. May we work more to spread more Dharma around the world, to free more people from sufferings,
May Buddha blesses you and your family.
I’m am so sorry for your struggle for dharma. Your husband sounds like a very strong man full of integrity. After all you two have been through, still not giving up the dharma is extremely touching and for you to share it with us I want to say Thank you. We face many obstacles in our lives and you and your husband surely face one of the highest. You have my deepest respect and I hope your situation only gets better. I really hope you would win this competition and that you and your husband deserve it. Take care.
Dear Sara,
I am so happy that you and your husband have escaped terrible treatment in Iran.I live a long way away(in the UK) but there are many many kind people in Malaysia and many Sangha Jewels there who could take you into their compassionate care and help you not be so isolated both in your practice and in your life.Tsem Tulku Rinpoche is known for his kindness and compassion through out the world,not just with his own lineage of Buddhism, so having a connection with him is very meaningful.I hope you and your family can start a safer and more open life in Malaysia.i will remeber you both in my prayers.Kind regardsxx
Dear Sara,
I am sorry that both of you and your family have to go through so much to practice Dharma. I am happy that you are both here now and safe. You inspire me and I am sure many of us and you motivate me to be stronger and to persevere no matter how hard it is. There will definitely be obstacles for many of us but what the both of you have gone through made me feel how I have taken so much for granted. Thank you very much. May the 3 Jewels always bless you and everyone around you. Take good care.
Dear Sara,
Thank you for doing the dharma even though it was so hard for you, and yes Buddhism is all about taking responsibility for ourselves and here you have shown to so many of us here in easy and beautiful Malaysia, who have everything for us and yet so many of us do not persevere in dharma. Puts many of us to shame.
Hi , im sara kazemi
thank you Dear Gabriel, Dear tfreon , Dear TYF , Dear May Ong , Dear patsy , Dear Girlie OOI , Dear Ethan Hoo , Dear Jessica Yap for all of your kind word . I didn’t imaging that I encountered to this wonderful feeling and kindness , thank you
( this is my email : sara.lotfali.kazemi@gmail.com )
Dear Sara, your husband and you are so brave in facing the difficult situation together in the name of faith. Like what many of the commenters said, do leave your contact behind so they can help you in anyway they can.. As for spiritual wise, do chant mantras (of the deity you’re familiar with) and pray to remove the obstacles you two are facing..
It’s great that despite the abuse and oppressions, you and your husband are still persistent in staying a Buddhist. I wish the both of you all the best and may you two be blessed by the 3 Jewels always!
Take care Sara!
Thank you for sharing, Rinpoche!
Dear Sara,
I’m very touched by your story. You and your family have to go through so much and you never give up your practice. Stay strong and may the blessings of 3 Jewels be with you and your family always.
Dear Sara
Thank you for sharing your experience here. Having been brought up in this country where we are so multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-everything, I cannot pretend to say that I understand what you and your husband went through back in Iran, as I myself have not been put into that situation.
From what you have written, I hear of the oppression both of you went through and how strong you are to keep to your faith of choice.
May you continue to keep your faith in the 3 Jewels.
Dear Sarah
Thank you for your story so that we are aware of the hardship you and your husband had to go through to be Buddhist. I am glad you have overcome those obstacles and are now in a safe country to practice Buddhism.
Be strong and I wish you and your husband all the best in your spiritual journey. May both of you be blessed by The Three Jewels.
Dear Sara
You story moves me. It is a story of how people who took Buddhism to their heart manages to overcome whatever difficulty/obstacle they encounter. Teachings in Buddhism strengthen their mind, actions and speech for better purpose. If you need help, do check with any of the staff of Kechara House to see which way we can help you and your husband.
I am not sure through what channels both of u come to Malaysia or how many of you. if u r in Malaysia , I think most local Buddhist communities may help u if they can understand better your situation, needs n problems. If possible , u may leave your contact , email or address here , let us try to channel necessary assistance to u. Tks for your post to let us aware of this issue. Some local Buddhists society provide free medical services to public , some have hospitals as well, u can go there for treatment. Please take proactive action connect to local Buddhist communities. I pray for triple gems n dharma protectors to help you to overcome this situation.
Dear Sara, from your story. I see people who are sincere to be in Buddhism and no matter what obstacle they have they will overcome it. From you and your husband, i told myself many times that while i can practice Dharma , i must do it. Stay strong , May Buddha always be with you
Please come and check out this article quick! These people deserve and frankly need the statue!!
Please check this article out and quick! These people really need and deserve the statue!!