A Mother’s Prayer Never Fails
When Shalini Verma first encountered Nichiren Buddhism in 2013, she did not feel any urgent need to practice.
From the outside, her life already appeared complete.
She had:
A stable family life
A comfortable home
A caring environment
Yet through the sincere encouragement of leaders, something gradually began shifting within her.
At first, she could not fully explain what it was.
But life soon presented a challenge that changed everything.
A Mother’s Fear
Her elder son was a quiet and deeply reserved child.
At school, he began facing bullying.
As a worried mother, Shalini reacted strongly.
She repeatedly visited the school, blamed teachers, and demanded immediate action.
But instead of helping him emotionally, the distance between mother and son slowly grew.
Her son became quieter and more withdrawn.
Then a senior in faith gave her simple but life-changing guidance:
Pray for his wisdom and happiness.
And trust that a mother’s sincere prayer never goes unanswered.
Shalini began chanting earnest daimoku together with her son.
Gradually, the atmosphere at home transformed.
Their relationship softened.
The house itself began feeling warm and hopeful again.
Then an unexpected source of support emerged.
A teacher at her son’s school — who was also a BSG member — began encouraging and appreciating him sincerely.
For the first time, Shalini realized that prayer changes not only situations, but also people’s hearts.
Advancing Despite Resistance
As her faith deepened, Shalini began attending meetings more regularly.
At times, she traveled nearly 180 kilometers from Alwar to Jaipur just to participate in larger gatherings.
Later, after the family relocated to Bhopal, attending district meetings became even more difficult.
Members had to travel nearly an hour one way.
Many gradually became inactive because of the distance.
At home too, resistance increased.
Her husband began feeling that Gakkai activities were taking away attention from family responsibilities.
Yet amidst this struggle, one guidance from Ikeda Sensei became her anchor:
“When we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with our whole being for the sake of kosen-rufu, we cannot fail to move the heavenly deities, the positive forces of the universe.”
(Flowers of Hope, p. 32)
Shalini therefore deepened her prayer.
She prayed:
For her son’s potential to blossom
For harmony and support from her husband
For bodhisattvas to emerge closer to home
Then something remarkable happened.
A new district was formed nearby.
She was appointed as block chief and statistics incharge.
The very obstacle that once discouraged members slowly transformed into an opportunity for growth.
Balancing Family and Mission
Balancing family responsibilities and district leadership was far from easy.
Every morning, Shalini chanted sincerely for each member by name.
Despite exhaustion and time pressure, she continued encouraging people wholeheartedly.
Gradually, visible victories appeared.
For three consecutive months, their district recorded the highest attendance in the MP region.
At home too, her son began flourishing academically.
He topped his school in Grade 10 with a perfect 10 CGPA.
But life tested them once again during Grades 11 and 12.
His academic struggles intensified.
At the same time, he was preparing for NDA examinations.
A school counselor even advised them to change his academic stream, saying he would never clear the tri-services exams.
Those words deeply shattered him.
Her husband too lost patience and asked Shalini to stop all Gakkai activities entirely.
Yet instead of retreating emotionally, she strengthened her determination.
She chanted five to six hours daily with the resolve to “draw water from parched land.”
Gradually, things began shifting again.
Her son cleared Grade 12 with 82 percent and secured admission into a reputed engineering college.
Since her husband was posted in a remote area, Shalini independently managed all admission formalities.
At the same time, she intensified her efforts in the “My District — My Member” campaign.
Together with district members, she:
Encouraged 82 members
Conducted more than 100 home visits
Held 65 sincere dialogues
The district expanded from only 30 members to 194.
As she continued encouraging others, her own life condition became increasingly fearless and expansive.
The Darkest Phase
But the greatest emotional battle was still ahead.
Repeated failures in NDA examinations pushed her son into deep depression.
Night after night, Shalini watched him cry silently.
Eventually, doctors diagnosed him with acute depression and recommended strong medication.
As a mother, she felt heartbroken and helpless.
Then once again, guidance from a senior leader changed the direction of her prayer.
She was encouraged to continue believing firmly in her son’s Buddha nature and seek a second medical opinion.
Shalini renewed her determination.
Alongside daimoku, she began studying The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra deeply.
Then came another turning point.
A second doctor examined her son and stated clearly:
He did not require medication.
A young men’s division leader also began supporting him consistently through daimoku and study.
Gradually, his confidence returned.
He was eventually appointed YMD block chief.
Inspired by fresh determination, he resumed preparation for CDS examinations while actively participating in shakubuku and Gakkai activities.
The same young man once consumed by hopelessness slowly began rebuilding his life with confidence and purpose.
Seven Years of Determination
Last year, the family relocated to Delhi.
Life remained demanding.
Without a personal vehicle and while caring for her bedridden mother-in-law, attending meetings became physically exhausting.
But Shalini refused to allow circumstances to defeat her spirit.
She purchased a bicycle.
For six months, she cycled across neighborhoods visiting inactive members and leaders who were struggling emotionally.
Every Wednesday, she attended gongyo meetings at the BSG Headquarters and prayed deeply for members to reconnect to faith.
Slowly, attendance in the district began improving.
Meanwhile, her son cleared the Introductory Study Exam.
When selected for a performance during the General Meeting, he threw himself into practice with extraordinary sincerity.
His routine became intense:
Leaving home at 4 a.m.
Practicing throughout the day
Studying late into the night
Shalini continued chanting abundant daimoku.
Deeply moved by her sincerity and determination, her husband gifted her a car on May 3rd.
By mid-year, she completed 1.5 million daimoku.
Then finally came the breakthrough she had prayed for over seven long years.
In June 2025, her son was selected into the Air Force Academy as a Flying Officer.
The same child who once cried through nights of hopelessness was now preparing to serve the nation with confidence and pride.
A Line That Stayed With Me
“When we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with our whole being for the sake of kosen-rufu, we cannot fail to move the heavenly deities, the positive forces of the universe.”
Reflection
Parents often try to solve problems by controlling situations externally.
But Buddhism teaches something deeper:
When we transform fear, doubt, and helplessness within ourselves, our environment gradually begins changing too.
Shalini’s journey shows the extraordinary power of a mother who refuses to give up on her child’s limitless potential.
Sometimes, the greatest victories do not happen quickly.
They are built slowly — through years of prayer, courage, consistency, and love.
Key Takeaways
A mother’s sincere prayer carries immense power.
Human revolution begins by transforming fear into trust.
Consistent encouragement can rebuild broken confidence.
Difficult circumstances often become opportunities for growth.
Faith develops resilience during long struggles.
Forward With Determination
Today, Shalini remains deeply determined to:
Strengthen kosen-rufu efforts in her district
Reach out courageously to inactive members
Expand her life through daimoku and encouragement
Support many more families through faith and dialogue
Above all, she remains committed to helping people discover the same hope and courage that transformed her own family’s life.
Inspired by a published Buddhist experience and retold with commentary, reflection, and adapted storytelling.