Creating Humanistic Education Through Purpose, Compassion, and Faith

My life often feels like a twenty-four-hour responsibility.

As a college professor, wife, mother, and district chief, every day presents its own set of challenges. My routine begins at 4:15 every morning and rarely ends before 11:30 at night. Nearly five hours are spent commuting to and from college, while the remaining hours are devoted to teaching, caring for my family, and encouraging members facing financial, health, and relationship struggles.

There are moments when exhaustion seems overwhelming.

During such times, I remind myself of Ikeda Sensei's guidance that the deeper the suffering, the greater the opportunity to demonstrate the power of Buddhism. Those words constantly renew my determination to expand my life rather than be limited by my circumstances.

I often feel immense gratitude toward my elder sister, who introduced me to Nichiren Buddhism almost sixteen years ago. Through this practice, I discovered an inexhaustible source of courage, wisdom, and hope.

Discovering a New Meaning of Education

In 2017, I was appointed Head of the Physics Department at an undergraduate college in rural Bengal.

I had joined the institution many years earlier after completing my doctoral studies in India and postdoctoral research abroad. Most of my students came from economically disadvantaged families and were the first generation in their households to pursue higher education.

Our department had built a strong academic reputation.

One of our students even secured the first rank in the Calcutta University Physics Honours examination in 2019, making all of us immensely proud.

Yet, during the New Age in India Campaign, I experienced a profound shift in perspective.

As I chanted daimoku, I began asking myself what it truly meant to create a "New Age."

The answer gradually became clear.

True success could not simply be measured by producing a few exceptional students. Real success meant ensuring that every student—especially those struggling the most—had the opportunity to grow.

This realization completely changed my understanding of education.

From Academic Excellence to Humanistic Education

At one departmental meeting, I proposed something different.

I suggested that instead of evaluating our success solely through university rankings, we should measure it by the progress of our weakest students.

I also proposed creating a collaborative community involving teachers, students, and parents so that every young person received support beyond the classroom.

Most of my colleagues embraced the idea.

Thus began a new initiative rooted in compassion rather than competition.

We started carefully reviewing the situation of every individual student—not merely their marks but their family circumstances, emotional challenges, financial struggles, and future aspirations.

Inspired by Ikeda Sensei's emphasis on dialogue, we held group discussions as well as one-on-one conversations with students.

Rather than focusing only on academic performance, we encouraged them to believe in the limitless potential within their own lives.

Looking Beyond the Classroom

As we interacted more deeply with our students, many hidden realities came to light.

Several students had lost one or both parents.

Many belonged to extremely poor families.

One young man particularly touched my heart.

His father had passed away during his childhood, while his mother struggled with mental illness. Every morning, beginning at three o'clock, he delivered milk to support his family before attending college.

We arranged a complete waiver of his fees so that financial hardship would not prevent him from completing his education.

We also discovered that most students lacked access to computers at home.

In response, we organized additional computer laboratory sessions so that everyone could acquire essential technical skills.

On Teacher's Day, I shared ideas inspired by Ikeda Sensei about gratitude, respect, and the deeper purpose of education.

I told my students that genuine success is reflected not only in examination results but also in one's thoughts, actions, character, and contribution to society.

The response from both students and parents was overwhelmingly positive.

Gradually, I witnessed remarkable changes.

Students who had once lacked confidence began participating actively in class. Their academic performance improved, but even more importantly, they started believing in themselves.

Growing Together Through Human Revolution

While helping my students transform their lives, I realized that I, too, was undergoing my own human revolution.

My daughter, who is part of the Future Division, continued to excel both academically and in Gakkai activities.

My husband, despite his own demanding career and long daily commute, sincerely fulfilled his responsibilities in the organization.

Together as a family, we regularly studied Ikeda Sensei's writings and discussed Buddhist philosophy. These conversations strengthened our bond and helped us maintain a positive life condition regardless of external circumstances.

Even our extended family gradually became interested in the practice, and several relatives eventually began chanting themselves.

Creating Value Beyond the Workplace

Our district also experienced tremendous growth during this period.

Members united in prayer, completed over four million daimoku during the campaign, expanded home visits, and encouraged many people who had previously remained distant from activities.

Future Division members enthusiastically participated and developed a much stronger connection with Sensei and the organization.

Witnessing this growth reminded me that transformation always begins with one person's determination.

Whether in the classroom, at home, or within the community, genuine leadership means helping others discover their own limitless potential.

Continuing the Journey

Looking back, I realize that my greatest achievement has never been academic recognition or professional advancement.

My greatest joy lies in seeing students who once doubted themselves discover confidence, purpose, and hope.

Every conversation, every act of encouragement, and every sincere prayer has become part of a much larger mission—to create education rooted in dignity, compassion, and respect for every individual.

I continue to challenge myself to make Soka Humanism the guiding principle of both my profession and my life.

With gratitude toward the Gohonzon, Ikeda Sensei, my family, colleagues, and every student who has taught me the meaning of compassionate education, I determine to continue polishing my own life, empowering countless young people, and creating even greater victories for the happiness of others and the advancement of kosen-rufu.