Becoming A Young Lion Of Surat

I began practicing Nichiren Buddhism when I was 12 years old.

Three generations of my family practiced together.

Some of my happiest childhood memories are:

Doing family gongyo together

Participating in cultural activities with my brother

Teaching gongyo to my 70-year-old grandmother

As a Young Lion member, I was deeply inspired by Ikeda Sensei’s writings.

I still remember reading my first volume of The New Human Revolution — Volume 25 — in just 15 days.

That experience awakened something powerful within me.

I began to feel that Buddhism was not just a philosophy.

It was a way to transform my entire life.

Balancing Studies And Faith

While preparing for my CA exams, life became extremely hectic.

But instead of distancing myself from faith, I relied on it even more deeply.

I continued:

Chanting daimoku consistently

Participating in Gakkai activities

Supporting Young Men’s Division members in my block

Those efforts helped me maintain a high life condition despite intense academic pressure.

Eventually, I cleared the CA Foundation in my very first attempt.

For me, that became clear proof that sincere efforts in faith strengthen every aspect of life.

Turning Grief Into Determination

In 2021, my grandmother passed away.

After her demise, I became deeply concerned about my grandfather, who suffered from IBS.

Life became emotionally exhausting.

My routine involved:

Nursing my grandfather

Supporting our textile business

Managing studies

Many times, I felt physically and emotionally drained.

But chanting daimoku together with him and reading the Gosho changed my perspective.

Slowly:

Exhaustion transformed into resolve

Fear transformed into courage

I began cherishing him deeply as a Buddha.

Then in October 2023, while I was completing my 11th home visit of the day, I received news that his condition had worsened.

Even in that painful moment, I strangely felt calm and determined.

We spent meaningful moments together in the hospital.

He passed away just one day before my birthday.

Then, only a week later, came the heartbreaking news of Ikeda Sensei’s passing.

I felt emotionally shattered.

Yet through daimoku, I gradually came to feel that both my grandfather and Sensei remained eternally connected to my life.

Searching For My Mission

At the same time, I was facing repeated setbacks in my CA journey.

Academically and emotionally, life felt overwhelming.

During that phase, I prayed deeply to awaken to my true mission.

Eventually, I completed my post-graduation.

And somewhere during that process, I discovered something important:

I truly loved teaching.

Inspired by Sensei’s vision for education, I decided to prepare sincerely for the UGC-NET examination.

One guidance especially stayed with me:

“Study so hard that you surprise everyone.”

(DOY-2, 203)

I applied that spirit fully.

Eventually:

I cleared the UGC-NET exam

Ranked among the top two percent nationally

Also qualified the State-Level Lectureship Exam

However, despite these achievements, finding a teaching job in Surat proved extremely difficult.

The academic year was about to begin and opportunities seemed limited.

At that point, attending my first in-person General Meeting and Mentor Memorial Hall Training Course reignited my fighting spirit.

I determined not to give up.

Fostering Youth Amid Personal Uncertainty

In 2025, I centered my life around the DHS Campaign and focused deeply on youth development.

That year became transformative.

During the March 16th Youth Meeting:

Surat created history with 111 youth attendance

70 New Friends attended

15 of my own friends participated

During the May 3rd Campaign, I:

Taught gongyo to six youth

Completed 12 home visits over one weekend

Yet internally, I was still struggling.

I kept facing rejection after rejection in:

College interviews

PhD proposals

At my lowest point, warm encouragement from senior leaders transformed my mindset.

Instead of viewing interviews fearfully, I started treating them as joyful conversations.

Interestingly, two colleges even selected me — but later withdrew the offers unexpectedly.

Those moments deeply hurt.

The Turning Point

Rather than collapsing emotionally, I plunged into the July 3rd Campaign with fresh determination.

I decided:

I would create a dramatic victory not only for myself, but also for my fellow YMD brothers.

And gradually, victories began flowing everywhere around me.

Several YMD members reported remarkable breakthroughs:

One overcame depression and suicidal thoughts

One of my shakubuku cleared UGC-NET

Two cleared their CA exams

One secured his dream job

Another began pursuing content creation passionately

Another achieved success in a music event despite last-minute obstacles

Witnessing their victories filled me with immense gratitude.

Then my own breakthrough finally came.

Discovering My True Place Of Mission

I applied for a PhD program where only one seat was available under my preferred guide.

There were nine other candidates — all more experienced than me.

Yet I secured the position.

Soon afterward, I also received an offer from one of Surat’s most reputed universities.

Mystically, my very first lecture happened on July 3rd.

Even more meaningfully, the salary matched exactly what I had prayed for — enough to make my very first contribution from my own income.

The subjects I now teach allow me to directly contribute toward youth development.

Many students and colleagues often ask me:

“Where do you get so much energy and passion from?”

And naturally, I find myself talking about Buddhism and Ikeda Sensei.

Expanding My Mission Beyond The Classroom

Recently, I was selected among the top 100 intellectual delegates across Gujarat for a Young Thinkers Meeting working closely with the government.

I was also selected among the top 10 participants in a youth parliament assembly discussing Gujarat’s future.

Even there, I found opportunities to:

Conduct dialogues

Share Sensei’s vision

Encourage youth

Over the past year:

I have not missed a single gongyo

I have not missed a single Gakkai meeting

I introduced over 150 people to the practice

25 introductions happened this year alone

I had once determined to encourage at least one new person every day.

Looking back now, I feel grateful that I could fulfill that determination sincerely.

A Line That Stayed With Me

“Study so hard that you surprise everyone.”

Reflection

Youth often face silent struggles:

Academic pressure

Fear of failure

Career uncertainty

Emotional loneliness

My journey taught me that consistent efforts in:

Daimoku

Study

Encouraging others

Taking responsibility

gradually build an unshakable inner foundation.

I also realized that true success is not merely personal achievement.

It is using one’s growth to inspire and empower others.

Many times, our greatest mission reveals itself only after repeated setbacks force us to look deeper into our lives.

Key Takeaways

Consistent daimoku strengthens resilience during setbacks.

Youth development begins with sincere encouragement.

Repeated failures can redirect us toward our true mission.

Human revolution transforms grief into purpose.

Faith and study together build lasting confidence.

Forward With Determination

Toward 2030, I determine to:

Hold 5000 dialogues

Raise 200 capable YMD members in Surat

Continue advancing as a living extension of my mentor

Help realize the dream of a BSG culture center in Surat

Above all, I determine to continue bringing glory to Sensei through every aspect of my life.

Inspired by a published Buddhist experience and retold with commentary, reflection, and adapted storytelling.