Creating A Smile Revolution Through Courageous Faith

I began practicing Nichiren Buddhism in 1996 as a youth division member.

At that time, I was carrying deep emotional wounds from childhood.

I had grown up in a disharmonious family environment and had also lost a sibling at a young age.

Those experiences left me with:

Low self-confidence

Poor self-esteem

A constant feeling of emotional insecurity

Academically too, I struggled badly.

I often felt inadequate compared to others.

But then, I encountered the Soka family.

Particularly, the warmth and compassion of the Women’s Division members transformed my life deeply.

For the first time, I experienced people who sincerely prayed for others’ happiness and encouraged them wholeheartedly.

Slowly, I began believing that my life also had value and purpose.

Learning To Care For Others

Through Gakkai activities and guidance, I gradually developed:

Empathy

Compassion

The ability to pray sincerely for others

I learned that Buddhism is not merely about solving personal problems.

It is about becoming someone who can encourage others amidst suffering.

Eventually, I married a wonderful person.

Despite the many responsibilities of married life, I maintained a joyful life condition through faith.

Watching my transformation, my husband also began chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

Over time, he deepened his faith steadily and eventually became part of the first batch of Soshokai.

Today, he continues striving actively on the frontlines of BSG activities.

I also introduced:

My siblings

Friends

Extended family members

to the practice.

Our two daughters grew up in the warm environment of Soka.

Watching them naturally develop faith, purpose, and responsibility toward kosen-rufu became one of the greatest joys of my life.

Facing Challenges Head-On

Earlier this year, I suddenly began experiencing severe pain in my back and legs.

The pain became so intense that even basic daily functioning became difficult.

Sometimes, I even experienced blackouts.

During the same period, I received responsibility as an honorary district chief for a district located far away from my home.

Initially, the situation looked overwhelming physically and emotionally.

But one guidance from Sensei became my anchor:

“Happiness is found on the path to realizing kosen-rufu.”

(‘Bells of Dawn’, NHR-30 [Part 2], 39)

Every morning — often before dawn — I returned to the Gohonzon and renewed my determination to advance kosen-rufu together with my mentor.

The challenges in the zone were enormous.

One district had witnessed:

Zero attendance in discussion meetings

No Gosho meetings for months

Meanwhile, the WD district chief of another district had moved abroad.

With guidance from senior Women’s Division leaders, I determined to take complete responsibility for the zone.

Fighting With Lion’s Roar Daimoku

I began chanting:

Four hours daily on weekdays

Eight hours on weekends

When the May 3rd Campaign was announced, Women’s Division leaders from deputy chapter chief level and above started daily alliance daimoku together.

We determined to create waves of victories based on the “3Ds.”

Each morning, after vibrant daimoku, I would travel extensively by public transport:

Attending meetings

Doing home visits

Supporting activities

Interestingly, despite my health condition, I never returned home feeling exhausted.

In fact, I often felt completely refreshed.

At times, I genuinely felt as though I was fighting alongside Ikeda Sensei in Sapporo itself.

Gradually, the determination within the zone began reflecting clearly in meetings.

Leaders started challenging themselves with one powerful question daily:

“Did I waste any time today?”

That spirit transformed the atmosphere entirely.

Creating Victories Together

As leaders sincerely encouraged inactive members through:

Heartfelt visits

Earnest dialogues

Personal follow-up

many beautiful changes began unfolding.

Several members visited the Headquarters for the first time during that period.

At the same time, I also continued supporting Future Division activities as Deputy Area Cubs Incharge.

Even when my mother developed herpes, I strengthened my determination further to report victory.

I also introduced three people to the practice.

Then came May 3rd.

And truly, it felt like a collective victory.

One after another, members started reporting remarkable experiences:

A WD member’s daughter won the top prize at a medical seminar

Her second daughter secured a job in the UK

A YWD retained her national badminton title

A Future Division member improved his grades dramatically

A WD restored harmony between her father and brother

The district that previously had zero attendance saw 10 members attend the May discussion meeting.

Another district successfully appointed a new WD district chief.

One district meeting saw:

Four guests

Four Friends

Seven members

Many leaders joyfully subscribed to Value Creation .

Additionally, 13 leaders were appointed across different units in the zone.

I realized once again that sincere prayer and action for others never fail to create visible transformation.

Turning Challenges Into Mission

Despite my health struggles, I also supported two BSG community outreach sessions related to SDG initiatives.

During this period, a Delhi Government school approached me to conduct life-skills training sessions for Grade 12 students.

At home too, many victories unfolded beautifully:

My mother’s recovery amazed her doctors

My daughter studying medicine won an intercollege debate competition

She also received protection after a severe electric shock incident in her hostel

My younger daughter received excellent grades and the “Scientist of the Year” award in Grade 12

Meanwhile, I finally encountered the right doctor and have now begun my own journey toward better health.

Looking back, I feel that this entire period strengthened my conviction profoundly.

Even amidst illness and physical pain, I experienced tremendous joy through striving for kosen-rufu.

A Line That Stayed With Me

“Happiness is found on the path to realizing kosen-rufu.”

Reflection

Many times in life, challenges tempt us to withdraw inward and focus only on personal suffering.

But Buddhism taught me something very different:

When we pray and act for the happiness of others, our own life force expands naturally.

Often, the greatest healing begins the moment we stop asking:

“Why is this happening to me?”

and begin asking:

“How can I encourage someone today despite my own struggles?”

My journey showed me that courage is not the absence of pain.

True courage means continuing to advance with hope, prayer, and compassion even while facing uncertainty.

Key Takeaways

Encouraging others strengthens one’s own life deeply.

Kosen-rufu efforts expand courage and life force.

Prayer combined with action creates visible transformation.

Leadership begins with personal responsibility and sincerity.

Human revolution changes both self and environment.

Forward With Determination

Today, with deep gratitude to Sensei and Mrs. Ikeda, I determine to:

Transform my health completely

Create a smile revolution in my own life

Encourage every Women’s Division member in my zone

Advance kosen-rufu joyfully toward the future

Above all, I want to continue helping women rise with courage, confidence, and hope — one life at a time.

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