Becoming the Protagonist of My Own Life
Suresh Kumar was only ten years old when he lost his father.
Raised in a small village near Salem, he and his brother grew up watching their mother run a modest tea shop to support the family.
Life was difficult.
As a young man, Suresh became short-tempered and restless.
Searching for peace, he explored various spiritual paths but found no lasting fulfillment.
Yet through his mother’s tireless efforts, he completed his postgraduation.
During that phase of life, an old acquaintance introduced him to Nichiren Buddhism.
That encounter quietly became the turning point that changed the direction of his life.
Developing Conviction in the Mystic Law
Over the next twenty-three years of practice, Suresh experienced many victories through faith.
On one occasion, fluid began oozing from his ear.
A doctor immediately suggested surgery.
Terrified, Suresh turned sincerely to the Gohonzon and challenged the situation through daimoku.
When he sought a second medical opinion, surgery was deemed unnecessary.
His ear healed completely with medication.
Faith also began transforming long-standing family relationships.
In 2010, after nearly two decades of separation and strained ties, Suresh witnessed reconciliation between his grandfather and granduncle.
The extended family finally began living together harmoniously again.
Little by little, Suresh began developing unshakable trust in the power of the Mystic Law.
As a young men’s division member, he also challenged himself to overcome language barriers while building his career in Chennai’s banking sector.
At the same time, he developed a dream of pursuing a professional degree and creating better opportunities for himself.
When Challenges Arrived Together
Then the pandemic changed everything.
In 2020, Suresh’s mother was diagnosed with cancer.
His brother and family were living separately in their ancestral hometown, so Suresh took complete responsibility for her care.
The pressure was immense.
Yet during this difficult phase, he made a powerful determination:
To win through faith and practice.
At around the same time, he had also become a men’s division district chief.
Despite working from home, caring for his mother, and managing hospital visits, Suresh continued attending meetings and encouraging members.
His leaders constantly supported and uplifted him.
His mother underwent surgery twice.
Then came a major breakthrough.
Tests after her second surgery in January 2021 showed no remaining cancer cells.
Both mother and son also remained protected from infection during the pandemic.
The treatment expenses were covered through insurance.
Even amid uncertainty, Suresh experienced powerful protection through faith.
Opening New Doors
While continuing to care for his mother, Suresh also experienced an important breakthrough in his career.
In 2022, he secured a new position in Mumbai with greater responsibilities.
He relocated there and simultaneously enrolled in an LLB program — fulfilling a dream he had carried quietly for years.
Remarkably, the institute’s morning schedule fit perfectly around his office timings.
For Suresh, it felt like unseen doors were opening one after another.
Polishing His Life During the Toughest Times
But another severe test soon arrived.
In December 2024, while preparing for his fifth semester examinations, Suresh learned that his mother’s cancer had returned.
Despite her fragile condition, doctors advised six chemotherapy sessions.
During this painful period, this guidance from Ikeda Sensei deeply encouraged him:
“The good fortune and benefit we create by exerting ourselves in faith will definitely manifest themselves in the lives of our children and grandchildren, and all our family members…. The Daishonin says that the benefit of faith extends to the ‘Preceding seven generations and the seven generations that follow.’”
(Faith into Action, p. 93)
Suresh made a fresh determination to transform his family’s health karma through daimoku and Buddhist activities.
Prioritizing his mother’s treatment, he skipped his examinations temporarily.
He frequently traveled between Mumbai and Chennai for her treatment.
Yet despite physical exhaustion, he never withdrew from his responsibilities as a men’s division deputy region chief.
Instead of allowing suffering to shrink his life, he used it to expand his compassion.
Making the Gohonzon the center of his life, Suresh immersed himself in chanting daimoku, studying guidance, and encouraging members.
He visited members’ homes, prayed for their happiness, and studied the Gosho together with them.
He also actively engaged in dialogue with colleagues, neighbors, and friends.
During this period, he introduced eight people to the practice.
He taught gongyo to new members and reconnected with more than twenty-five inactive members, many of whom gradually began attending meetings again.
As Region UHG Coordinator, he also supported contribution activities and helped strengthen organizational efforts across multiple chapters.
At the same time, new men’s and young men’s division leaders emerged in the region.
Even during his hardest personal struggle, Suresh continued creating hope in others’ lives.
A Victory Beyond Fear
Eventually, his mother completed all chemotherapy sessions without side effects.
Her final scan in May revealed she was cancer free.
During treatment, she herself also began chanting.
Around the same time, Suresh completed both his pending fifth semester examination and his final semester examinations.
He graduated with first-class marks.
Filled with gratitude toward the Gohonzon, Sensei, and his fellow members, he then plunged into the men’s division campaign and introduced six more people to Buddhism.
What once began as a search for peace had transformed into a life dedicated to encouraging others.
A Line That Stayed With Me
“The benefit of faith extends to the ‘Preceding seven generations and the seven generations that follow.’”
Reflection
Many people believe hardships interrupt life.
But Buddhism teaches that difficulties can become the very training ground where we discover our mission and strength.
Suresh’s journey shows that becoming the protagonist of one’s life does not mean avoiding suffering.
It means refusing to be defeated by it.
When we continue encouraging others despite our own pain, we begin transforming not only our own karma — but the destiny of those around us as well.
Key Takeaways
Faith helps transform fear into courage and purpose.
Personal struggles can become opportunities for human revolution.
Encouraging others strengthens our own life condition.
Making the Gohonzon the center of life creates inner stability.
True victory lies in continuing forward despite adversity.
Forward With Determination
Today, Suresh remains deeply determined to strengthen his faith, practice, and study every day.
He continues striving to:
Spread the Mystic Law through heartfelt dialogue
Raise capable successors
Encourage members sincerely
Transform the place where he lives into a land of happiness and peace
Above all, he remains determined to continue reporting victory after victory to his mentor.
Inspired by a published Buddhist experience and retold with commentary, reflection, and adapted storytelling.