Building A Home Of Hope Through Faith

My aunt introduced me to Nichiren Buddhism in 2018, when I was 20 years old.

My mother, younger brother, and I all began practicing together.

At that time, our family was going through one of the darkest phases of our lives.

We had lost almost everything in a major housing scam.

To repay part of the debts, we had to sell our home.

Eventually, we moved into a small government quarter allotted to my father.

Financially and emotionally, we felt completely shattered.

Yet strangely, taking up this practice became the turning point for our family.

For the first time, we found:

Answers to our suffering

Hope amidst uncertainty

A sense of mission as a family

Facing The Loss Of My Father

Then in May 2019, another devastating challenge struck.

My father suffered severe head injuries in a road accident.

I immediately quit my job to take care of him.

At that time:

My younger brother was still in college

My mother became the sole earning member

Financial pressure intensified daily

Despite all our efforts, my father passed away.

We were completely heartbroken.

Soon afterward, we were asked to vacate the government accommodation as well.

Suddenly, we found ourselves desperately searching for a place to live while drowning in debt.

Given our financial condition, we started considering tiny rented houses in the outskirts of Mumbai.

But one senior leader encouraged me powerfully.

He said:

“Pray for something greater — your own home where the Gohonzon can shine and joyful meetings can happen.”

Honestly, it felt impossible.

Yet one Gosho passage deeply moved me:

“[E]ven though you chant and believe in Myoho-renge-kyo, if you think the Law is outside yourself, you are embracing not the Mystic Law but an inferior teaching…. You must summon up deep faith that Myoho-renge-kyo is your life itself.”

(‘On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime’, WND-1, 3)

That guidance completely shifted my perspective.

Praying For The Impossible

My mother and I began chanting daimoku with renewed determination.

Instead of praying fearfully, we started praying with conviction.

Within two months of my father’s passing, I secured a job.

That income became our lifeline.

Gradually, we could:

Pay my brother’s college fees

Manage household expenses

Stabilize ourselves emotionally

Then something remarkable happened.

We somehow managed to arrange the initial deposit for a flat in a prime area of Mumbai.

We also secured a low-interest housing loan.

And just one month before the nationwide lockdown in 2020, we moved into our own home.

Today, the Gohonzon shines brightly there.

Monthly Gakkai meetings are held there joyfully.

Every time I sit before the Gohonzon, I remember how impossible this once seemed.

Continuing To Fight Financial Karma

Although we had moved into our own home, the housing loan meant our financial burden continued.

Around that time, based on a friend’s suggestion, we filed a Motor Accident Tribunal claim regarding my father’s accident.

But the case was weak.

We were repeatedly told:

“At best, you may receive only 40 percent compensation.”

Still, my mother and I continued chanting daimoku like a lion’s roar.

We specifically prayed for:

A sincere lawyer

A just outcome

The wisdom to keep fighting courageously

Eventually, a compassionate and sincere lawyer appeared in our lives.

Even when the tribunal initially restricted compensation to 60 percent under government norms, I remained internally calm.

I genuinely felt that victory already existed within our lives.

Reviving The Youth Division

Meanwhile, in 2020, I joined a new region.

At that time, I was the only active Young Men’s Division member there.

I remembered Sensei’s spirit of “striking fire from damp wood.”

I determined:

“Youth will definitely emerge here.”

Soon, another YMD member joined me.

Together, we began rebuilding the division from scratch.

We:

Participated in every campaign

Reached out to YMD members sincerely

Started Young Phoenix and Young Lions activities

Conducted home visits consistently

Slowly, the region began transforming.

Today, our YMD strength has grown to over 15 active members.

In this year’s appointment cycle alone, six young men took up leadership responsibilities.

Watching youth emerge through sincere encouragement became one of the greatest joys of my life.

Winning Through Unity And Consistent Action

As Region UHG Coordinator, I streamlined organ journal distribution to ensure timely delivery.

As an Honorary District Chief, I focused deeply on uniting district leaders and encouraging shared responsibility.

My family and I determined to fight every campaign with the spirit of:

Daimoku

Home visit

Shakubuku

During that period:

I introduced two friends into the youth division

A colleague transformed her relationship karma through faith

Serving as Sokahan taught me discipline and attention to detail

Then finally, after a long legal struggle, our tribunal case reached its conclusion.

A compassionate judge carefully reviewed our situation.

And unexpectedly, we received full compensation.

The amount was enough to:

Clear all debts

Pay legal expenses

Still leave surplus savings

Even our lawyers admitted such outcomes were rare.

At that moment, I truly felt this victory belonged not only to our family, but to the spirit of mentor and disciple.

A Line That Stayed With Me

“You must summon up deep faith that Myoho-renge-kyo is your life itself.”

Reflection

When financial crises strike, fear can easily dominate our minds.

It becomes difficult to dream beyond immediate survival.

My journey taught me that Buddhism does not ask us to deny reality.

Rather, it teaches us to challenge reality courageously with expanded faith.

I also learned that genuine victory is not merely repaying debts or winning legal cases.

True victory is:

Building hope amidst despair

Encouraging others despite one’s own struggles

Creating unity where discouragement exists

Transforming suffering into mission

Most importantly, I realized that a family united in faith can overcome even seemingly impossible situations.

Key Takeaways

Faith helps expand possibilities beyond present limitations.

Consistent daimoku builds courage during uncertainty.

Human revolution transforms suffering into mission.

Youth development begins with sincere one-to-one encouragement.

Victory emerges through persistence, unity, and action.

Forward With Determination

Today, with deep gratitude to Ikeda Sensei, my parents, my mother, and all the members who supported us, I determine to:

Advance kosen-rufu with stronger conviction

Raise capable youth through daimoku and action

Strengthen unity in my region

Repay my debt of gratitude to my father by upholding the Mystic Law throughout my life

Above all, I determine to continue creating hope for others through my own actual proof.

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