I am practicing Nicherin daishonin Buddhism from last 7 years.
A Canadian artist said -- that 'sometimes it's the journey that teaches you a lot about your destination'. I am here to share my journey in faith AND tell you all that the place in my life where I have reached today got determined by the struggles and actions in my life in last 6 yrs based on faith.
In hindsight I can say that –from the day I attended my first bharat soka gakkai meeting in February 2009, my life, myself as a person started changing for good. I had been encouraged by my next door neighbor in Vikaspuri to chant. At that time I was working in an MNC at a profile of my liking and was doing good career wise except the fact that I was not having good relations with my colleagues at work. At personal front I had a loving husband, an adorable son and family to support me.
The first time I chanted 'Nam myoho renge kyo' in the meeting, I was touched by the warmth and happiness flowing there. Each and every member was joyful and receptive while attending the meeting. Regular chanting made me realize that I was living in a make belief world where every thing is beautiful as presumed by me. I was facing grave problems in the office where everyone seem to be against my work, They were indeed devilish attacks Chanting was the only thing which I could use as spring board and strongly face the problems. And I did so to change my environment which I learnt was a reflection of my own thoughts and actions in life.
Sensei says,"A Buddha is not a superhuman being. One who has attained this state continues to experience problems, suffering and pain, and still subject to illness and to temptation by devilish forces. For that reason, Buddha is a person of courage, tenacity and continuous action who struggles ceaselessly against devilish functions."
I did not allow devil attacks to overpower me and continued chanting in the morning and evening regularly. On being encouraged in the initial months of my practice only, I started reading and sharing sensei’s guidance’s in value creation with fellow members. I enjoyed doing one hour Daimoku everyday in the evening. My perseverance and prayers were answered and very soon my office issues got settled. I was offered even senior manager position in different deptt. The reading and understanding of this philosophy of life changed my perspective of looking at things and people. My colleagues and people, with whom I found earlier difficult to work became my allies. In the meanwhile I conceived my second baby about whom we were indecisive since long time.
Over the years I have chanted for clarity, my family’s happiness and security and a job in which I can devote my time to gakkai activities. With each day I grew in faith and made sure that in a week I meet at least 2 members and chant with them and become regular in discussion meetings and read Gosho everyday. In October 2009 I decided to quit my job. and In January 2010 I started my own consultancy firm wherein I could manage my time productively and had ample time to do gakkai activities also. We could also enshrine our Gohonzhon on 11 April 2010, just twelve hours before my younger son was born.
The Ghonzon became the centre of my life and my husband and we have together achieved a lot of victories based on faith and got protection at many fronts. We have escaped a serious accident on busy national highway, my father got complete medical protection when he had brain hemorrhage attack that too while away from home, my husband got protection in his challenging career, we purchased another apartment in Noida, our kids got protection and grew closer to Gohonzhon. My relationship karma with my in laws also improved and practice gave me strength to chant for those who did not like me. I was also appointed as block chief in Vikaspuri. Chanting for each and every member of my block bought me more close to Gohonzhon. I was given the important responsibility for behind the scene activities as white lily group. Every white lily duty was learning in itself and it made me more responsible and disciplined.
Sensei says
I quote
Everything starts with prayer. There is no limit to the prayers of the mothers of kosen rufu. There is no deadlock. These women are neither cowardly nor hesitant. Underneath their focused steadfast prayers burns a courage that dispels all despair and resignation.
I unquote.
Friends In Vikaspuri we had a flat at third floor wherein we were unable to hold meetings. I also wanted both my sons to go in same school as they were going in different schools in Vikaspuri. I sought guidance from senior members and I was told that I should chant for the place where I have a mission. I started chanting for 3 hours 20 mins daily and increased my home visits also. I regularly read Gosho and value creation. I also learnt that there is no substitute of chanting and if done earnestly without fail it will be answered. I am happy to share that soon we shifted to Dwarka in an apartment at first floor and my kids also got admission in same school. My soka family expanded and I was very happy as now I could offer my house for gakkai activities. Whenever meetings take place at our home, I thank Ghonzon to have given us this opportunity to offer our house for kosen rufu activities. It fills me and my family members with delight whenever so many Buddhas come and chant together at our place. I always chanted for complete protection of every member and they should be motivated and encouraged once they go out of our house. Around this time I was given opportunity to take care of Cubs division members of Paramount district. It was a lifetime opportunity to be in rhythm with my mentor for fostering future division members.
Nichiren Daishonin states,
I quote
"The heavenly gods and benevolent deities will assume various forms such as those of men and women, and present offerings to help the person who practice the Lotus sutra. "
I unquote.
Recently in June when I saw a mail from BSG that there is a trip going to Tokyo to chant inside the 'The hall of great vow of kosenrufu' I could not stop myself for applying. The hall was inaugurated on 18 November 2013 in Tokyo. Though I was little apprehensive on financial aspect as the same month we already did 2 international trips with family. Also exactly 21 days before, the day i had to go to visit Daisado hall, I was down with chicken pox. For 7 days with bristles all over my body I could only lie and chant. They were painful but I had faith that I will be perfectly fine and visit the world of Sensei. I was least bothered about black bristles on my face and hands. I was only concerned about my trip to Tokyo. But I was determined to go and chant in front of Joju Gohonzhon. I applied for the tour with all my might.
I chanted for my perfect health for the sake of kosenrufu. I plunged myself in Gakkai activities. I never missed any Cubs meeting and drove all the Cubs of my district to the venue. In June the day we came back from a family trip in early morning, we had a meeting at 11am at our home for Cubs. Me, my husband and my sons joyfully participated in every activity of May 3rd celebration. I also did my white lily duty to facilitate Successful May 3rd. I chanted for the release of my pending payment which was of almost same amount. I earnestly was praying for the happiness and Buddha nature of my client. I opened my house for activities and meetings. I did more home visits and chanted for the victory of all members.
Sensei Toda said
I quote
What can a person who has never experienced hardships hope to achieve? That's why you should take on every challenge you can.
The efforts you make now will become your life long treasures. In particular all your arduous struggles for the sake of kosen rufu will become the most wonderful " memory of present life in this human world" and bring you boundless and immeasurable good fortune.
I unquote.
I am happy to share that Just on time, I got my payment which was much more than I required for the travel. Moreover my husband also got incentives that month and we could even save some money for future. The law is mystic and Gohonzhon has plans for each one of us. We only have to chant, be happy and make others happy. The hard work pays and good fortune accumulated took me and my family on three international trips in two months. This happened because we exerted in practice, studied regularly and connected our targets with gakkai activities.
Sensei says,"a single flower can completely transform a bleak atmosphere. The important thing, therefore, is to have a spirit and the determination, to improve your environment, to change it for the better, if even just a little."
The trip to Daisado - the hall of great vow of kosenrufu, is the best thing that ever happened to me. We were 32 members from Delhi / NCR who as a pioneer group went to Tokyo and chanted together with the voice of Sensei. It was an experience of its own kind. There were about 1400 members inside the hall and they were extremely courteous, humble and loving. They were genuinely very happy to see us and showing the mentor disciple spirit in perfect stride. I felt like Sensei is watching over us. Though he was not present their physically but like members from other countries he was also overjoyed in our presence there. We could connect to the warmth and heart of Sensei when we saw 1400 members waving and smiling to us. What an overwhelming experience it was !
Daisado hall is not a pilgrimage for the members of Soka Gakkai. It should not be visited as a holy place or a tourist place, but each one of us should visit it to renew our vow for kosenrufu, to revive the spirit of mentor and disciple, to chant for world peace, to strengthen our faith in mystic law.
After chanting in Daisado hall I could renew my vow, my spirit and my mission. Each and everyone of us should visit the hall of great vow not because it is SGI's headquarters but it helps us to revive ourselves in faith, practice and study.
I carried with me three most important points from there.
1. Keep chanting no matter what happens
2. Nurture mentor disciple spirit in our heart
3. NOW is the time to Rise and take action
And I determine to follow them on daily basis. Everyday when I sit for morning gongyo I visualise myself sitting in front of Joju Gohonzhon at Daisado hall and try to realise my mission in life.
I pay my sincere gratitude to SGI, senior leaders and my fellow members for their never ending support and faith in me. I also would like to pay my gratitude towards my husband and parents in laws who took care of children and home in my absence. I earnestly chant that each and every member of Paramount district should visit the hall of great vow of kosenrufu for a new zeal in their lives.
Thank you very much for reading !
