Honing an Invincible Self
When Deepak Mehra first encountered Nichiren Buddhism in 1997, he was a confused and directionless teenager.
Still struggling emotionally after losing his father, he lacked confidence and frequently got into trouble at school.
His mother, sister, and he were introduced to Buddhism through their landlady.
At first, Deepak did not fully understand the practice.
But when his academic performance began declining badly, he decided to challenge himself sincerely through faith.
A senior leader encouraged him to study Discussions on Youth, Volume 1 .
That study changed something deep within him.
For the first time, Deepak felt he had found not only direction in life, but also an eternal mentor in Ikeda Sensei.
Faith gave him something he had long been searching for — belief in his own potential.
Gradually, his grades improved dramatically.
He eventually secured admission into a Delhi University college in the course of his choice.
Growing Through Faith and Action
As a young men’s division member, Deepak became actively involved in Buddhist activities.
Members in his area lived far apart, so he often borrowed his neighbor’s bicycle to visit and encourage them.
Alongside these efforts, he also challenged himself academically and topped several subjects in college.
Over time, he built a stable professional life, got married, and became the father of two sons.
Life gradually settled into a comfortable rhythm.
But during the pandemic, something began changing internally.
His Buddhist practice slowly became stagnant and benefit-oriented.
Chanting reduced significantly.
Home visits and activities became rare.
Without realizing it, Deepak had drifted away from the spirit that had once transformed his life.
Returning to His Prime Point
Then came a major turning point.
In early 2023, Deepak lost his job just six months after joining a startup.
The sudden layoff shook him deeply.
But instead of collapsing completely, he recognized it as a wake-up call.
Following guidance from a senior leader, Deepak began chanting abundant daimoku once again.
He immersed himself in studying the Gosho and Ikeda Sensei’s guidance from The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace .
He resumed home visits, attended meetings sincerely, nurtured new members, and strengthened his participation as a Soshokai member.
Yet despite his efforts, no breakthrough came immediately.
So he intensified his determination further.
He increased his daily daimoku to five or six hours.
Instead of praying only for a job, Deepak began rebuilding his entire life state.
Strengthening Himself by Encouraging Others
During this difficult phase, Deepak began exerting alongside the few men’s division members in his chapter.
Every day, he met and chanted with a young men’s division member struggling with personal problems.
He also continuously encouraged another member facing job difficulties.
Some members who had relocated to different cities were helped reconnect with local comrades in faith through his efforts.
At the same time, Deepak sought professional help to strengthen his own career prospects.
A career coach helped him identify gaps in his resume and prepare more effectively for interviews.
Financially, however, the pressure became intense.
Without any income, he gradually exhausted his savings and eventually began depending on his wife’s savings as well.
The family reduced expenses significantly.
On difficult days, tension at home would rise and arguments sometimes erupted.
Deepak could feel himself slipping into a low life condition again.
Then he encountered a powerful guidance from Ikeda Sensei:
“Happiness isn’t the absence of problems. A life without problems is empty and uneventful. It offers no opportunity for achieving human revolution or changing one’s karma.”
(WCHP-2, p. 134)
That guidance completely transformed the way he viewed suffering.
Instead of asking when the struggle would end, he began focusing on how he could fundamentally transform himself through it.
‘Bring It On’ Becomes His Motto
After hearing the news of Sensei’s passing, Deepak’s determination to live the spirit of mentor and disciple deepened even more.
As a men’s division member, he resolved to stop avoiding challenges completely.
“Bring it on” gradually became his life motto.
Around this time, a former colleague suggested that Deepak explore a different industry that matched his strengths more naturally.
Following the advice, he contacted an old client who headed an organization in that sector.
The conversation went surprisingly well.
An interview was arranged soon afterward.
Unlike previous interviews filled with anxiety and desperation, Deepak noticed something different this time.
He remained calm.
Centered.
Confident.
He successfully secured the position and joined the organization on January 8, 2024.
The real breakthrough was not only external employment — but the invincible self he had forged internally.
A Stronger Foundation for the Future
The new role proved both exciting and demanding.
But through strong prayer and steady determination, Deepak began creating visible results at work within just a few months.
His continued study of Sensei’s guidance helped him maintain a high life condition even during difficult assignments.
At home too, he found deep encouragement.
His mother, who had overcome cancer twice through faith, continued striving actively for kosen-rufu.
His two sons were also growing steadily in the garden of Soka.
Looking back, Deepak realized that losing his job had actually helped him reconnect with the prime point of his faith.
Sometimes, life’s setbacks are not interruptions — but invitations to rediscover who we truly are.
A Line That Stayed With Me
“Inner joy and true happiness are found in enduring and overcoming adversity.”
(WCHP-2, p. 134)
Reflection
Many people tie their self-worth to external stability — jobs, success, recognition, or comfort.
But when those things disappear, hidden fears and insecurities often surface.
Deepak’s journey shows that Buddhism is not merely about solving problems.
It is about developing an inner foundation so strong that even difficulties become fuel for growth.
True confidence emerges not when life becomes easy, but when we realize we can overcome whatever life brings.
Key Takeaways
Challenges can help us reconnect with the core of our faith.
Encouraging others strengthens our own determination.
Human revolution begins when we transform our inner life state.
Job loss can become an opportunity for profound self-growth.
Real confidence is built by overcoming adversity courageously.
Forward With Determination
Today, Deepak remains deeply determined to:
Raise capable men’s division members and youth
Introduce many people to Buddhism
Continue strengthening his faith through action
Create exceptional value in his workplace
Above all, he is determined to continue advancing with the spirit of oneness of mentor and disciple throughout his life.
Inspired by a published Buddhist experience and retold with commentary, reflection, and adapted storytelling.