Forging Doubt-Free Faith
For nearly two decades, Gitanjali Sharma practiced Nichiren Buddhism with sincerity and joy.
Introduced to the practice as a young women’s division member, she deeply enjoyed chanting daimoku and studying the Gosho.
Through years of practice, she gradually transformed into someone who could sincerely pray for the happiness of others with gratitude.
Her husband Aman’s Buddhist journey had begun much earlier.
Introduced to the practice in 1992 as a future division member, Aman developed strong faith through Sensei’s guidance and discovered a deeper purpose for his life.
After graduating from the youth division, Aman and Gitanjali got married with a shared determination:
To advance kosen-rufu together.
Their marriage was not only a partnership of life — but also a shared vow of faith and mission.
A Prayer Beyond Fear
As they entered their forties, Aman and Gitanjali carried a heartfelt wish.
They wanted to become parents and raise capable successors for kosen-rufu.
But age brought uncertainty and fear.
Would it still be possible?
Senior leaders encouraged them to strengthen their conviction through sincere efforts in faith and district activities.
Taking this guidance seriously, the couple immersed themselves in creating causes through encouragement, dialogue, and Buddhist activities.
Soon afterward, they received joyful news.
They were expecting twins.
On February 9, 2023, their daughter Aadya and son Anhad were born.
But the joy of childbirth quickly turned into the greatest struggle of their lives.
Both babies were born prematurely and severely underweight.
Anhad weighed only 1.5 kilograms.
Both infants faced breathing complications.
Aadya was placed on oxygen support while Anhad was shifted to a ventilator.
Within moments of becoming parents, Aman and Gitanjali found themselves confronting fear unlike anything they had ever experienced.
Choosing Faith Over Fear
Although Anhad stabilized the following day and shifted from ventilator support to oxygen assistance, alarming complications continued appearing.
His blood reports showed dangerously falling platelet counts and rising infection markers.
Strong antibiotics became necessary.
Over the next several days, he underwent multiple transfusions.
Every day felt uncertain.
Every phone call from the NICU carried fear.
During this period, this passage from Nichiren Daishonin became central to their prayers:
“If one believes in the Lotus Sutra, poison will change into medicine.”
(“General Stone Tiger,” WND-1, p. 952)
Gitanjali and Aman realized that only doubt-free daimoku could help them overcome this battle.
They renewed their vow to dedicate their lives selflessly to kosen-rufu and began chanting with what Buddhism describes as “the heart of a lion king” — without fear, distraction, or doubt.
Initially, this was difficult.
Fear constantly returned.
But day after day, through long hours of chanting, their determination gradually strengthened.
Slowly, prayer transformed panic into courage.
After ten days, Aadya was discharged from the hospital.
Anhad remained in the NICU for nearly a month before finally returning home.
When New Challenges Emerged
Just when things appeared to stabilize, further medical complications emerged.
Tests revealed problems with Anhad’s liver function, bleeding in his brain, and abnormalities in his eyes.
Doctors also identified yellow spots and concerns regarding retinal development and optic nerve vitality.
At times, the emotional burden became overwhelming.
Aman, meanwhile, had returned to work and was struggling with intense office pressure.
Finding less time for daimoku, he noticed fear and disbelief creeping into his mind.
He worried constantly about Anhad’s small body, his medications, and visible discoloration caused by treatment.
The family had to make repeated hospital visits every week.
Even strong faith sometimes trembles under the weight of repeated uncertainty.
Then came a deeply encouraging moment.
The couple received guidance and encouragement from Sensei in response to a letter they had written expressing their determination.
That encouragement reignited their spirit completely.
They made a fresh vow to fight even harder for kosen-rufu and never allow fear to dominate their lives.
Strengthening Faith Through Action
Rather than withdrawing inward, Aman and Gitanjali intensified their efforts in faith.
They supported discussion meetings, encouraged members, and held dialogues with friends sincerely.
Many members around them began reporting breakthroughs in their own personal and professional struggles.
At the same time, visible improvements slowly began appearing in Anhad’s condition.
By May, his liver function markers had normalized completely.
His medication was discontinued.
In June, scans revealed that the brain bleed had disappeared entirely.
Although concerns regarding his eyesight still remained, the couple continued applying what Buddhism describes as “the strategy of the Lotus Sutra.”
They chanted sincerely for healthy vision and complete recovery.
Visible Rewards of Invisible Effort
Eventually, Anhad’s case was referred to a super-specialist doctor.
But meeting the specialist itself seemed almost impossible due to limited availability.
Around the same time, Gitanjali completed one million daimoku.
Mystically, an opportunity to consult the specialist opened unexpectedly.
After careful examination, the doctor shared astonishing news.
In an extremely rare occurrence, Anhad’s condition had begun reversing naturally on its own.
A successful procedure was later completed to secure his vision.
Throughout the process, family members and fellow practitioners continuously chanted daimoku alongside them.
What once looked impossible gradually transformed into undeniable actual proof.
Victories Expanding Beyond the Family
At the same time, the couple continued striving actively for kosen-rufu.
Gitanjali made the great vow central to her prayers during the November Campaign.
She invited friends sincerely to discussion meetings.
Gradually, their district attendance improved and several leaders returned to active practice.
Professionally too, Aman experienced breakthroughs.
A difficult deadlock at work resolved harmoniously.
Despite company-wide cost-cutting, he received a good increment and a special monetary award along with his team.
Even more remarkably, the office insurance company made an exceptional decision to reimburse the family’s hospital bills fully.
As their faith deepened, victories began appearing simultaneously across multiple areas of life.
A Line That Stayed With Me
“If one believes in the Lotus Sutra, poison will change into medicine.”
Reflection
Parenthood often brings immense joy — but also deep vulnerability and fear.
When a child suffers, parents frequently feel powerless.
But Buddhism teaches that even the darkest circumstances can become opportunities to reveal extraordinary courage and compassion.
Aman and Gitanjali’s journey shows that faith is not the denial of fear.
It is the determination to continue advancing despite fear.
Sometimes, the greatest human victories are born in hospital rooms, silent prayers, and the refusal to surrender to despair.
Key Takeaways
Faith transforms fear into courage and hope.
Persistent prayer strengthens inner conviction.
Supporting others deepens our own life condition.
Human revolution often emerges through difficult struggles.
Invisible efforts in faith eventually create visible rewards.
Forward With Determination
Today, Aman and Gitanjali remain deeply determined to:
Raise their children as capable Soka successors
Advance kosen-rufu through dialogue and encouragement
Continue supporting fellow members wholeheartedly
Show actual proof through their lives and actions
Above all, they remain committed to repaying their debt of gratitude to Sensei and the Gohonzon through lifelong struggle and contribution.
Inspired by a published Buddhist experience and retold with commentary, reflection, and adapted storytelling.