From A One-Room Home To A House Filled With Hope
Like Nichiren Daishonin, I was born into a family of very modest means.
My mother worked as a domestic maid, while my father struggled with alcoholism.
Conflict and disharmony filled our home during my childhood.
Yet unknowingly, those very struggles became the foundation for my human revolution.
The First Time I Heard Daimoku
In 2007, when I was 14 years old, I first heard and chanted Nam-myoho-renge-kyo in the home where my mother worked.
At that age, I did not understand Buddhism or the significance of daimoku.
But something about the sound deeply comforted me.
I felt reassured from within — as if life would somehow become better.
Later that same year, my mother fractured her hand.
I began chanting earnestly for her recovery and started helping her with household responsibilities before going to school.
Seeing my struggle, my mother removed her plaster herself before the recommended time.
Surprisingly, her hand healed completely within just 10 days.
That became my first actual proof of the power of the Mystic Law.
Returning To Faith Again
After my mother stopped working in that home, I gradually stopped practicing too.
Life continued to be difficult.
My mother worked tirelessly to educate me despite our financial hardships.
Watching her struggle planted a deep determination inside me:
I wanted to become victorious in life.
After graduation, I began working in a BPO.
Then, in 2020 during the pandemic, an old college friend reintroduced me to Nichiren Buddhism.
This time, I began chanting sincerely.
Gakkai meetings became my source of courage, hope, and stability.
Praying For A Bigger Home
After the lockdown, I developed a strong desire to open our small one-room home for Gakkai meetings.
But honestly, I hesitated.
I wondered:
How could so many members fit into such a tiny room?
Instead of giving up, I transformed that hesitation into prayer.
I started chanting earnestly for a bigger home where I could repay my debt of gratitude to my mother and Sensei.
At that time, my salary barely covered our expenses.
Yet I continued challenging myself based on this Daishonin guidance:
“Buddhism primarily concerns itself with victory or defeat.”
(‘The Hero of the World’, WND-1, 835)
A New Career Path
Soon afterward, I was appointed as a block chief.
That responsibility deepened my determination to support others sincerely.
Then came an unexpected breakthrough.
Despite having no IT degree, I received an opportunity to move from my exhausting night-shift BPO role into a stable IT job.
It genuinely felt as if a mountain had moved in my life.
For the first time, I could begin saving money toward our dream home.
Another Sudden Setback
However, just eight months later, recession hit and I lost my job.
I was devastated.
But I refused to retreat.
I continued:
Chanting abundant daimoku
Reading Sensei’s guidance
Encouraging members
Participating in activities
One encouragement from Sensei especially gave me strength:
“Even if you take a long, roundabout way to get there, what matters is that you succeed in crossing the finish line in the end.”
(WCHP-2, Human Revolution, 207)
During this difficult phase, I also introduced my cousin and two struggling friends to the practice.
A Victory On May 3rd
Then, one day before May 3rd, 2024, I received a job offer from a reputed IT company.
That victory completely renewed my conviction.
I deeply experienced that no sincere prayer to the Gohonzon goes unanswered.
Losing Everything — And Recovering It
Soon afterward, a close friend introduced me to a business opportunity.
Believing in it sincerely, I invested a large amount of money.
But the investment failed and I lost everything.
I was shaken deeply.
Instead of blaming my friend, I challenged my own human revolution.
I chanted 25 hours of daimoku over five days, praying sincerely for:
My friend’s happiness
Wisdom
My inner transformation
At the same time, I continued encouraging members wholeheartedly.
Gradually, our district became one of the most youthful districts in the region, with nearly 80 percent attendance made up of youth and future division members.
Then something incredible happened.
The same friend eventually helped me recover the entire lost amount.
Learning Gratitude Through Byakuren
As our financial situation stabilized, I began praying for a life partner.
But deep inside, I was afraid of marriage.
Having grown up surrounded by broken relationships and conflict, I struggled to trust emotionally.
Around this same period, I was inducted as a Byakuren.
That training transformed me profoundly.
Serving members with a bright smile taught me:
Gratitude
Humility
Courage
Compassion
I began praying not just for my own happiness, but for a relationship that could inspire hope in other YWD members facing similar struggles.
Soon afterward, I met someone who matched every quality I had sincerely prayed for.
I challenged one million daimoku to reveal my Buddha nature and clearly see his character.
The more I prayed, the more convinced I became.
Today, we are happily engaged, and he has developed a sincere interest in Nichiren Buddhism.
Transforming My Family’s Destiny
After four years of continuous prayer, I finally fulfilled my dream:
We purchased our own home.
Today, that house joyfully hosts Gakkai meetings.
Meanwhile, incredible transformations happened within my family too:
My mother no longer works as a domestic help
My father completely overcame alcoholism
My brother began practicing Buddhism
He even appeared for the BSG Entrance Exam in 2025
The cousin and friends I introduced to the practice also began reporting victories in their careers after years of struggle.
What I Learned
Looking back now, I realize that every daimoku I chanted was rewriting my destiny little by little.
I was not merely changing circumstances.
I was transforming my life condition.
Through Buddhist practice, I developed:
Self-respect
Hope
Courage
Gratitude
A mission for kosen-rufu
My Determination
With deep gratitude to the Gohonzon and Sensei, I now determine to:
Chant two hours of daimoku daily
Introduce five young women to the practice
Conduct home visits for every member’s happiness
Advance kosen-rufu joyfully as a genuine disciple
No matter what challenges arise in the future, I know my life possesses limitless potential through Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.