Buddhist& Sami Nadi by Roland J. Willits

"Sami Nadi was in agony over the the loss of a world treasure. The great Buddha in Afghanistan. It was destroyed by those who claimed to have the answer for everyone. Sami knew that he must do something with his skills as a sculptor to recover some essence of this sacred home. As a young man, in his native country of Afghanistan, he had visited and climbed in the 2000 year old treasure. Being the only world class Afghan sculptor, he created through memory and historic pictures, a magnificent reproduction.

Asking how he might show the world that the majority of Afghans & Muslims honored others religious beliefs and their sacred artifacts. He was given that opportunity in Fremont California. This area of his new country has some of the most diversified cultures and religions in the world. He found he might be able, by a donation of love and work, to give a symbolic gift to a Buddhist Community, living and caring nearby.

The Buddhist Community welcomed Sami's gift with grace and dignity. They invited Sami to their temple on a Special Spring Holiday. Sami was greeted with the frolicking of children enjoying a water holiday. Sami smiled at the celebrating, as he carried his Gift to present to the Temple.

In a formal ceremony his gift was graciously received by the Head Monk for the Temple and those who worshiped with him. Sami observed their contemplation of Buddha's gifts of knowledge and their unique way of celebrating that knowledge. Upon leaving he reflected on how wonderful it was for him the give a grain of hope to this tremulous world. He was in a small way, able to show love and acceptance of all others of our world.

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