Forged Through Fire
When Harish Mehta first encountered Nichiren Buddhism nineteen years ago, what moved him most was not philosophy or doctrine.
It was the spirit of the members.
Despite facing serious struggles in their own lives, they radiated warmth, joy, and hope.
That deeply touched Harish.
At the age when many people begin slowing down, he decided to begin a completely new inner journey.
Soon after starting the practice, he immersed himself in studying the Gosho, Value Creation , The Human Revolution , and The New Human Revolution .
He attended meetings regularly and strengthened his understanding of the philosophy.
When he was appointed as a block chief shortly afterward, he felt deeply encouraged and excited.
But life was preparing to test the depth of his faith in unimaginable ways.
When Faith Was Put to the Test
In 2007, Harish suddenly began losing weight rapidly.
He also suffered from persistent low-grade fever.
Medical investigations revealed devastating news:
He had an aggressive form of stomach cancer.
The diagnosis shook not only him, but also his entire family.
Yet during this frightening period, Harish experienced something he would never forget — the compassionate support of his Soka family.
Leaders and members consistently encouraged him, prayed with him, and ensured he did not feel alone.
Making the Gohonzon the center of his life, Harish resolved not merely to recover physically, but to transform his illness into an opportunity to deepen his faith.
He decided that if he could overcome this challenge, he would become a source of hope for others facing similar suffering.
He began chanting abundant daimoku with the spirit of a lion’s roar.
He also deepened his study of The New Human Revolution and Value Creation .
At the same time, he joined the men’s division Pillar Study Group and began studying The Human Revolution .
Just two weeks after the diagnosis, Harish underwent surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiation.
The treatment was intense.
But after completing the prescribed cycles, the PET scan revealed astonishing results.
He was cancer free.
For Harish, it felt like receiving life itself as a second gift.
Another Storm Arrives
Yet the challenges were far from over.
In 2017, his wife became critically ill and eventually slipped into a coma.
She was placed on a ventilator.
During this emotionally exhausting period, Harish’s own Buddhist practice weakened.
His health also began deteriorating severely.
After his wife peacefully passed away later that year, Harish suffered a mental breakdown and had to be rushed to the ICU.
Doctors diagnosed him with chronic Hepatitis B requiring prolonged treatment.
Confined to a hospital room, Harish spent long hours reflecting deeply on his life.
He could clearly sense what Buddhism describes as devilish functions — forces attempting to pull him into despair and defeat.
At that moment, he made another profound determination:
To stand up in faith and remain undefeated.
Leaders and fellow members continued visiting him, chanting beside him, and studying Buddhism together within the hospital room itself.
But as if testing the strength of his determination, another fierce obstacle appeared.
Doctors discovered a new aggressive form of cancer.
More stringent radiation treatment was advised.
Forged Like a Sword
During this painful period, one passage from Nichiren Daishonin became Harish’s source of strength:
“A sword even when exposed to a great fire, withstands the heat … because it is well forged.”
(“The Hero of the World,” WND-1, p. 839)
Harish decided to fight like a seasoned warrior.
He began chanting nearly ten hours of daimoku daily.
Even while undergoing treatment, he reached out to fellow cancer patients and encouraged them.
The doctors themselves noticed his unusual resilience and positive spirit.
Some even encouraged him to continue practicing Buddhism because they felt it was strengthening his recovery.
Instead of becoming consumed by his own pain, Harish continued trying to give courage to others.
After nearly one year of struggle, he was once again declared cancer free.
Filled with gratitude, he chanted daimoku not merely for recovery — but for the opportunity to continue striving in life.
The Battle Continues
However, severe radiation side effects soon created another major health complication.
Harish developed radiation proctitis causing heavy rectal bleeding and requiring surgical treatment.
But before the treatment could proceed, he contracted COVID and had to isolate at home.
Despite worsening weakness and dropping oxygen levels, Harish continued doing gongyo every day.
Even sitting upright became exhausting.
Yet he refused to skip his practice even once.
He also continued attending online meetings and remained connected with members.
Throughout this phase, leaders and fellow practitioners conducted alliance daimoku with him regularly.
In the following months, Harish underwent repeated hospitalizations and multiple surgeries.
At times, his practice became inconsistent due to sheer exhaustion.
But the encouragement of fellow members constantly reignited his spirit.
Gradually, his hemoglobin stabilized.
His health parameters began improving steadily.
Doctors slowly reduced his supplements and medications.
Recent reports have shown remarkable improvement.
Today, he is no longer dependent on medicines.
Though the struggle continues, Harish now faces life with joy instead of fear.
A Battle Filled With Purpose
At eighty years of age, Harish describes his life not as a story of suffering, but as a journey of becoming stronger through every challenge.
He believes each battle deepened his compassion, strengthened his faith, and expanded his purpose.
Today, he remains determined to continue sharing his experience with others facing illness and despair.
For him, true victory is not merely surviving disease.
It is continuing to live with courage, gratitude, and the desire to encourage others.
A Line That Stayed With Me
“A sword even when exposed to a great fire, withstands the heat … because it is well forged.”
Reflection
Many people believe happiness means living without pain or hardship.
But Buddhism teaches that true strength is forged precisely through adversity.
Harish’s journey reminds us that illness does not have to define a person’s spirit.
Even amid repeated suffering, human beings possess the capacity to create courage, hope, and meaning.
Sometimes, the most powerful victories are not visible externally — but quietly forged within the human heart.
Key Takeaways
Faith can transform suffering into a source of strength and purpose.
Encouraging others helps us overcome our own struggles.
True resilience is built through repeated challenges.
Human revolution means refusing to surrender internally.
Joy and gratitude can coexist even amid ongoing hardship.
Forward With Determination
Today, Harish remains deeply determined to:
Continue living joyfully despite ongoing health challenges
Encourage fellow patients and members sincerely
Deepen his faith and study continuously
Share hope through his experience of victory
Above all, he remains determined to continue advancing with courage and purpose for the rest of his life.
Inspired by a published Buddhist experience and retold with commentary, reflection, and adapted storytelling.