Building An Unshakable Stand-Alone Spirit
I was born into a wealthy and influential family.
But over time, my father’s business suffered massive losses.
Financial liabilities mounted rapidly.
Family harmony collapsed.
Life became extremely difficult.
Everything that once looked stable suddenly felt uncertain.
It was during this painful period, in September 2004, that I attended my first discussion meeting.
My mother and elder sisters had already started practicing Nichiren Buddhism.
Honestly, I entered the meeting with skepticism.
But something unexpected happened.
The warmth, sincerity, and joy of the members completely dissolved my cynicism.
For the first time in a long while, I felt hope.
I decided to continue practicing.
Making Daimoku The Foundation Of My Life
As my understanding deepened, I slowly stopped blaming circumstances and started taking responsibility for my life.
Daimoku became the foundation of my daily life.
As a family, we:
Saved money joyfully for our butsudan
Purchased the Gosho with gratitude
Visited members’ homes for meetings
Studied Sensei’s guidance together
Those simple efforts created tremendous courage within us.
But the real test of my faith came years later.
Developing The Stand-Alone Spirit
In 2013, my father suddenly passed away.
Then in 2014, my uncle also passed away.
The emotional shock shattered me.
For a period of time, I barely spoke.
I felt numb internally.
I even considered dropping out of my studies midway.
Relatives openly doubted my future because:
I was still young
Our finances were unstable
There was no visible support system
At that time, one guidance from my leader changed my life.
He told me:
“Your life condition will directly impact your family’s fortune.”
That guidance shook me deeply.
I realized that if I collapsed internally, my family would also collapse.
So I determined to start afresh.
With vigorous daimoku and constant encouragement from leaders, I completed my MBA with excellent grades.
Then in 2015, I secured a permanent role in a technology consulting firm.
The job required relocating to Pune.
Leaving my mother behind worried me intensely.
Managing two households also created financial pressure.
But leaders encouraged me to pray with a larger determination:
“Create the same value in your mother’s life even if you are physically away.”
I also determined to demonstrate actual proof at work.
Building Strength Away From Home
Soon afterward, I was transferred to Bengaluru.
There, I wholeheartedly supported Gakkai activities and served as a Sokahan.
I prayed sincerely for the protection of the culture center and for the happiness of members.
At work too, protection appeared mysteriously.
My company:
Provided accommodation
Offered additional allowances
Created conditions where I could save comfortably
Most importantly, my mother remained protected and stable despite my physical absence.
Then in 2018, I moved again — this time to Gurgaon.
My role now required frequent international travel.
Over the next five years, I spent most of my time in the UK and Germany.
Initially, living away from BSG activities felt challenging.
Different culture, different language, different rhythm — everything felt unfamiliar.
But slowly, I realized something powerful.
This phase was teaching me the true meaning of the stand-alone spirit .
I learned how to practice strongly without dependency.
I built a stronger inner foundation.
Meanwhile:
I received promotions
Achieved financial stability
Experienced greater harmony in my family
Returning With A Sense Of Mission
In 2024, I returned to India.
I was entrusted with region responsibility.
I deeply determined to support YMD members the same way senior leaders had once supported me.
During the November 18th Campaign, I set a personal target of doing 40 home visits.
At the same time, my work responsibilities required extensive travel.
Still, I refused to compromise.
I prayed intensely for my members and challenged myself sincerely.
Eventually, I completed all 40 home visits successfully.
And benefits followed naturally:
My travel reduced significantly
I got more time for activities
I even purchased a new car without taking loans
That experience strengthened my conviction that sincere efforts for kosen-rufu always return as protection.
Turning Discouragement Into Determination
Later, my family and I began searching for a house to buy.
But finding a suitable home within our budget became extremely frustrating.
After a long search, we almost finalized one property.
Then suddenly, the deal collapsed.
I felt deeply disappointed.
At that moment, one guidance from Ikeda Sensei became my anchor:
“People create their own unhappiness when they let themselves be ruled by fear, stop trying, abandon hope, and give up.”
(‘Cheers of Victory’, NHR-30 [Part 2], 92)
I determined not to give up.
Then in May, I was entrusted with zone responsibility.
Instead of focusing on my doubts, I shifted my focus toward advancing together with fellow leaders and ensuring no YMD member felt left behind.
Toward May contribution day, I encouraged members joyfully and also contributed wholeheartedly myself.
And then something incredible happened.
The very next day, I received a call regarding a house available in the exact society where we were already living.
Not only that — the final amount matched almost exactly what I had been praying for.
Soon afterward, I also learned that I was among the very few employees receiving a mid-year salary increment from my company.
Fighting Together With Youth
Filled with gratitude, I determined to help more YMD members experience actual proof in their own lives.
During the July 3rd Campaign, I led weekly study meetings sincerely.
I:
Prepared thoroughly beforehand
Studied the NHR consistently
Visited at least four struggling YMD members every week
Attended meetings regardless of circumstances
The July 3rd Commemorative Meeting became deeply joyful and vibrant.
Watching youth develop confidence and hope reminded me of my own early struggles.
A Line That Stayed With Me
“People create their own unhappiness when they let themselves be ruled by fear, stop trying, abandon hope, and give up.”
Reflection
There were phases in my life when everything external seemed uncertain:
Financial instability
Family loss
Loneliness
Career pressure
Responsibility beyond my age
But Buddhism taught me that genuine stability does not begin externally.
It begins internally.
I also realized that the stand-alone spirit does not mean isolation.
It means:
Taking full responsibility for one’s life
Continuing to advance without dependency
Creating value wherever one is placed
Supporting others despite one’s own struggles
Most importantly, I learned that courage grows gradually through consistent action.
Key Takeaways
Daimoku helps develop inner stability during uncertainty.
The stand-alone spirit strengthens self-reliance and confidence.
Sincere efforts for others create protection in one’s own life.
Human revolution transforms fear into responsibility.
Hope grows when we refuse to give up.
Forward With Determination
I now determine to:
Continue my human revolution every day
Build a strong core of YMD rooted in unity and faith
Support youth through sincere encouragement
Fight joyfully for kosen-rufu together with my fellow YMD members
Above all, I determine to dedicate every victory in my life to my mentor with deep gratitude.
Inspired by a published Buddhist experience and retold with commentary, reflection, and adapted storytelling.