eturning From The Brink Through The Power Of Faith

I was introduced to Nichiren Buddhism by my elder sister in 2011.

From the very beginning, I took to this practice like a fish takes to water.

Through chanting daimoku, studying Ikeda Sensei’s guidance, and striving for kosen-rufu, I gradually built an inner strength I had never known before.

Little did I know that this faith would help me survive some of the gravest health crises of my life.

More than once, I would return from the brink of death.

And each time, I experienced firsthand the extraordinary power of the Mystic Law.

The First Major Health Crisis

In the final year of my B.Sc., toward the end of 2013, I suddenly developed severe abdominal pain.

Medical investigations revealed what doctors believed was a tumor in my ovary.

An open surgery was immediately scheduled.

However, once I was inside the operation theater, the surgeons discovered something shocking:

There was no ovarian tumor at all.

Instead, they found fluid accumulation near my pancreas.

As the anesthesia began wearing off during the procedure, I experienced unbearable pain.

The doctors then cut open the upper portion of my abdomen and drained fluid from my pancreas.

After four painful hours in the operation theater, I was shifted to the ICU.

That very night, my condition worsened dramatically.

I developed severe chest pain and struggled to breathe.

Because it was New Year’s Eve, there was only a pharmacist on duty.

In that critical moment, my father’s quick thinking saved my life.

He personally carried an oxygen cylinder down from the second floor to the ICU on the ground floor.

That terrifying incident became my first close encounter with death.

Afterward, I remained hospitalized for another 10 days.

Yet even during recovery, I immersed myself in Gakkai activities and introduced seven people to the practice.

Facing A Life-Threatening Tumor

A year later, another major challenge appeared.

Doctors detected two cysts in my pancreas.

Initially, surgery was postponed because I was suffering from a severe cold.

During that waiting period, I dedicated myself fully to Gakkai activities and daimoku.

Then, just before the surgery, further investigations revealed something alarming.

The so-called cysts were actually a tumor that had spread to multiple organs.

The doctors explained that:

The surgery could take eight hours

Several organs might need to be removed

My condition was extremely serious

Fear tried to overwhelm me.

But I refused to surrender.

I chanted daimoku intensely, determined not to let fear define my life.

Miraculously, the surgery lasted only one and a half hours.

No organ had to be removed.

The doctors were so astonished that they filmed the surgery for a medical seminar.

But my battle was still not over.

Fighting For My Life Again

A few days later, while removing my nasal tube, my food pipe was accidentally damaged.

At the same time, I developed septicemia.

The doctors doubted whether I would survive.

I was shifted urgently to another hospital and underwent another emergency surgery the next day.

Throughout this entire ordeal, I never missed gongyo or daimoku.

Even while fighting for my life, I continued encouraging others.

I conducted dialogues with five hospital staff members.

In fact, my consulting doctor himself eventually started practicing Nichiren Buddhism.

Watching these experiences unfold also deepened my family’s faith tremendously.

Transforming Illness Into Mission

The Daishonin writes:

“Illness gives rise to the resolve to attain the way.”

(‘The Good Medicine for All Ills’, WND-1, 937)

These words became the foundation of my life.

Although doctors recommended six months of complete rest, I made a determination:

I will recover quickly and return to kosen-rufu activities as soon as possible.

Little by little, I regained my strength.

Then in 2018, another health challenge emerged.

I once again developed severe abdominal pain.

This time, doctors diagnosed gall bladder stones and advised surgery.

But after undergoing so many surgeries already, I strongly wished to avoid another operation.

I therefore challenged myself with:

Five hours of daimoku daily

Deep study of the Gosho

Sincere Gakkai activities

Strictly following prescribed medication

After completing the treatment, I returned for a check-up.

The doctors were shocked.

There was absolutely no trace of the stones.

Living Joyfully Through Faith

Today, daimoku, study, and Gakkai activities remain the driving force of my life.

In these years, I have introduced 12 more people to the practice.

I have also experienced countless benefits, including:

Buying our kosen-rufu house

Becoming medication-free

Deepening my bond with Sensei

Although my health still remains delicate, I live by the eternal guideline:

“Faith for health and long life.”

I continue taking all necessary precautions while striving joyfully for kosen-rufu.

Advancing For Kosen-rufu

Last year, I took on several responsibilities at the region level:

YWD Chief

UHG Coordinator

Statistics Incharge

While encouraging members to subscribe to Value Creation, I also ensured that I studied:

Value Creation daily

The New Human Revolution daily

I wanted to always remain connected to Sensei’s heart and move in rhythm with BSG.

I also supported the Youth Sports Festival 2.0 and attended every training session for the sports committee.

Although I joined the event at the last minute, I won two medals.

Soon after the festival, seven members in my region and I received our Gohonzon.

Toward the July 3rd Campaign, I focused deeply on daimoku and friendship-building.

I reached out to every YWD in my region through:

Daily study calls

Heartfelt encouragement

Continuous follow-up

The YWD Friendship Festival eventually saw an attendance of 34 YWDs.

One YWD returned to practice after two years and has now become active again.

My Determination Going Forward

Today, simply being alive fills me with gratitude and joy.

Every challenge taught me that life itself is precious and meaningful.

I now determine to:

Become financially independent

Become a strong YWD

Be a good daughter

Become a source of happiness for others

Actualize my eternal mentor’s vision

No matter how difficult the circumstances become, I now know with certainty:

The power of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo can transform even the deepest suffering into hope, courage, and victory.