Becoming ‘One True Comrade’
When Arvind Sharma first encountered Nichiren Buddhism in 2009 through his wife Smriti, one detail immediately fascinated him.
He had been born on August 24th — Men’s Division Day — in the same year that Ikeda Sensei first visited India to begin the westward transmission of Buddhism.
At first, these facts felt like meaningful coincidences.
But over time, Arvind realized Buddhism was not about coincidence.
It was about mission.
And discovering that mission would take years of struggle, self-reflection, and human revolution.
The First Battle: Transforming Himself
For Arvind, the earliest and most difficult challenge was internal.
He recognized within himself tendencies toward:
Anger
Arrogance
Negativity
Doubt
Rather than trying to change external circumstances first, he began focusing on transforming himself through Buddhist practice.
Participating in Gakkai campaigns and studying The New Human Revolution , Value Creation , and the Gosho gradually helped him understand the Buddhist principle of the oneness of life and environment.
The more he changed internally, the more his environment began changing naturally.
One of the greatest visible transformations occurred within his family.
After seven long years of estrangement, harmony was restored between Arvind, his brother, and their parents.
For Arvind, this became undeniable proof that inner transformation changes outer reality.
Awakening to His Mission
As his faith deepened, Arvind gradually realized something important:
No matter how difficult external circumstances became, his true mission was to awaken as a Bodhisattva of the Earth and transform poison into medicine.
Life soon gave him many opportunities to test that understanding.
The family faced repeated losses and difficult circumstances.
At the same time, they were battling a painful property dispute that had continued for nearly fifty years.
Yet even during these emotionally exhausting years, Arvind and Smriti continued chanting abundant daimoku and supporting members consistently.
Then another challenge emerged.
After Arvind’s retirement from the army, he was unable to secure re-employment.
Many people might have viewed the situation as failure.
But Arvind and Smriti decided to challenge it differently.
Instead of focusing only on personal uncertainty, they determined to use the opportunity to advance kosen-rufu.
What looked externally like a setback gradually became a turning point of mission.
Transforming a Block Into a District
At that time, Arvind’s determination became crystal clear:
To help transform their block in Bareilly into a vibrant district filled with capable disciples of Sensei.
Through sincere effort, encouragement, and unity, the organization steadily expanded.
One block became four.
And in 2016, Bareilly officially became a district.
At the same time, seemingly impossible breakthroughs also began appearing within the family’s legal struggles.
The decades-old property dispute was finally resolved successfully.
Another property issue that had remained unresolved for twenty-seven years was settled amicably.
The impossible had gradually become possible through sustained prayer and action.
Learning the Spirit of ‘Kosen-rufu First’
By now, Arvind had deeply learned the attitude of placing kosen-rufu first.
In September 2016, he and Smriti moved to Jaipur to care for her ninety-year-old grandmother.
Even there, instead of withdrawing into personal responsibilities alone, Arvind focused his prayers on nurturing capable men’s division members who could become strong pillars supporting all divisions.
As district and chapter statistics in-charge, he treated every life on the MDS as precious and invaluable.
At the same time, another realization emerged strongly within him.
He began understanding that fulfilling his mission also meant contributing financially toward kosen-rufu.
Steadily, his contributions increased over the years — from modest three-figure amounts to consistent six-figure contributions.
Soon afterward, something extraordinary happened.
The family unexpectedly received a valuable gift of land — something they had never imagined possible.
As their determination deepened, life itself seemed to open new pathways unexpectedly.
A New Place of Mission
Eventually, Arvind and Smriti moved once again — this time to Lucknow.
Fresh challenges immediately emerged.
New court cases delayed the sale of their land.
Then came the COVID-19 pandemic.
Around the same period, both were entrusted with responsibilities in their new Gakkai units.
But there was one major difficulty.
Because activities had shifted online, they had not physically met most members yet.
Still, inspired by Sensei’s guidance regarding “brave and vigorous exertion,” they determined to challenge the situation wholeheartedly.
Arvind reached out constantly to members and leaders while chanting abundantly for everyone’s happiness.
Together with fellow practitioners, he and Smriti studied Buddhism consistently online.
Slowly, the atmosphere transformed.
Meeting attendance improved significantly.
One chapter in Allahabad even recorded the highest attendance in all of BSG during 2021 and was later featured in the Seikyo Shimbun .
At the Men’s Division Day meeting in August 2021, every men’s division leader in the region shared victories.
Within a year, the region expanded from two chapters into four.
Even during isolation and uncertainty, the spirit of many in body, one in mind continued creating remarkable growth.
Building a Home for Kosen-rufu
In the months that followed, the pending court cases were resolved favorably and the land transaction finally succeeded.
The family was able to build their long-awaited home.
But one part of the house held especially deep meaning.
They dedicated an entire hall exclusively for Gakkai meetings and activities.
For Arvind and Smriti, the home itself had become an offering for kosen-rufu.
Being ‘One True Comrade’
As offline meetings resumed after the pandemic, Arvind focused intensely on helping members overcome inertia and rediscover the joy of practicing together in person.
He paid particular attention to newer members who had joined during the online phase and had never experienced physical gatherings fully.
Helping members align with ongoing BSG campaigns and studying two installments of The New Human Revolution daily became central to his efforts.
Today, Arvind carries one deep determination in his heart:
To become “one true comrade” for the members around him.
For him, Buddhism is no longer merely personal practice — it is lifelong dedication to helping others advance joyfully together.
A Line That Stayed With Me
“Brave and vigorous exertion in our Buddhist practice infuses our lives with the great life force of the eternal Buddha.”
Reflection
Many people begin spiritual practice hoping to improve circumstances externally.
But Buddhism gradually teaches something much deeper:
Real victory begins with transforming ourselves.
Arvind’s journey shows how sustained human revolution quietly changes relationships, environments, and even one’s sense of mission in life.
Sometimes, becoming happy ourselves is not the final destination.
It is the starting point for helping many others become happy too.
Key Takeaways
Human revolution begins by transforming inner negativity.
Family harmony often follows inner personal transformation.
Challenges can become opportunities to awaken to mission.
Kosen-rufu grows through consistent encouragement and unity.
True contribution includes both action and heartfelt support.
Forward With Determination
Today, Arvind remains deeply determined to:
Nurture capable men’s and young men’s division members
Help members experience the joy of practicing together
Advance kosen-rufu with the spirit of many in body, one in mind
Support BSG’s mission toward one million happy members by 2030
Above all, he remains committed to being “one true comrade” walking alongside members with courage, sincerity, and gratitude.
Inspired by a published Buddhist experience and retold with commentary, reflection, and adapted storytelling.