Living My Mission as a Disciple
In 1999, while struggling to pursue a PhD abroad after completing his master’s degree from IIT Kanpur, Anirudh Sharma encountered Nichiren Buddhism through a senior.
At that point in life, uncertainty about the future weighed heavily on him.
But soon after beginning chanting, an unexpected breakthrough arrived.
He received an opportunity to pursue a fully funded PhD at the prestigious Max Planck Institute in Germany.
Years later, he would go on to become a principal scientist in a reputed central government organization in India.
Yet for Anirudh, the greatest transformation was not professional.
Through years of Buddhist practice, he gradually became calmer, less anxious, and more patient.
Most importantly, he deepened his bond with his mentor and strengthened his faith in the Mystic Law.
Outward success had meaning only because of the inner transformation supporting it.
When Challenges Arrived at Home
In January, Anirudh’s life suddenly entered a difficult phase.
His wife was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.
Around the same time, his daughter began suffering from recurring neck pain and was diagnosed with cervical rib.
The months ahead looked overwhelming.
But years of Gakkai training — especially his experience as a Soshokai member — had taught him one important lesson:
Never retreat from challenges.
Instead of being consumed by fear, Anirudh resolved to confront everything through faith, practice, and study.
During this period, this guidance from Ikeda Sensei became his determination:
“I had to win. Winning and then reporting that victory to my mentor was my supreme mission as a disciple.”
(Making the Impossible Possible, p. 64)
Anirudh decided that this struggle would become proof of victory as a disciple.
Taking Responsibility in His Place of Mission
At that time, Anirudh was supporting a district as an Honorary District Chief.
Although the district had enough members to eventually split into two, there were very few active leaders.
Meeting attendance remained low.
Very few experiences were being shared.
There had also been no introductions for quite some time.
During a district planning meeting in February, Anirudh openly shared the district statistics.
Many members were shocked.
But instead of becoming discouraged, the district collectively set ambitious goals:
Increase attendance
Encourage more experiences
Invite new guests
Expand VC and FDT subscriptions
Toward these goals, members began chanting together every morning in alliance.
At the same time, Anirudh’s personal responsibilities at home increased tremendously.
Every month involved multiple hospital visits for his wife and daughter.
He also began managing many responsibilities his wife had previously handled — including school routines and extracurricular activities for their daughter.
Determined not to be defeated, Anirudh began transforming his own lifestyle.
From someone who used to wake up after 8 a.m., he became an early riser.
He started chanting every morning before taking his daughter to school.
The drive itself became meaningful time spent together.
On the return trip, he studied The New Human Revolution.
He also began reading VC and Future Division Times thoroughly every month and studying the Gosho and A Youthful Diary daily.
Rather than allowing challenges to control his schedule, he rebuilt his life around his determination.
Winning Both at Home and in Faith
Professionally, Anirudh continued mentoring students, guiding research scholars, and collaborating on scientific publications.
But alongside these demanding responsibilities, the district itself began transforming dramatically.
With united effort and continuous encouragement:
Attendance increased steadily month after month
New guests began attending meetings
Members started sharing victories confidently
VC subscriptions expanded significantly
Eventually, the district became strong enough to split into three.
Across the region, subscription goals were also exceeded through collective effort.
The district that once struggled quietly became filled with momentum, confidence, and joy.
Setting Big Goals, Creating Big Victories
Another major challenge emerged during preparations for the Men’s Division General Meeting.
The attendance target was set at forty men’s division members.
Until then, the highest attendance had only been twenty-two.
Many might have considered the goal unrealistic.
But Anirudh remembered this guidance from Sensei:
“If you set out to accomplish a substantial, difficult goal, you will have no choice but to pray earnestly to the Gohonzon.”
(“Light of Peace,” NHR-3, p. 309)
He took the lead in personally reaching out to members.
Chapter leaders set their own goals and contacted inactive members.
Gradually, a shared conviction spread among everyone:
Inactive members were simply waiting to be reached out to.
The result became historic.
Thirty-eight men’s division members, including several new friends, attended the meeting.
Two members returned to active practice.
Many members also registered for the Introductory Exam.
Big prayers forced everyone to expand beyond their previous limitations.
A Victory Built Through Determination
During this intense period, Anirudh chanted 2.5 million daimoku.
At the same time, he guided master’s students, submitted a patent, co-authored scientific publications, and continued teaching PhD scholars regularly.
Alongside Buddhist study, he even completed reading five novels.
Slowly, visible victories began appearing.
His wife recovered steadily and began returning to normal life.
His daughter’s health improved significantly and she could even participate in a school excursion.
For Anirudh, these victories carried profound meaning.
Faith had not removed responsibility from his life — it had strengthened his capacity to fulfill it.
A Line That Stayed With Me
“Winning and then reporting that victory to my mentor was my supreme mission as a disciple.”
Reflection
Many people separate spiritual practice from daily responsibilities.
But Buddhism teaches that true faith reveals itself precisely in how we respond to real-life challenges.
Anirudh’s journey shows that difficulties can become opportunities to strengthen not only ourselves, but also the people and communities around us.
When we stop asking, “Why is this happening to me?” and instead ask, “How can I create value through this?” our entire life begins to change.
Sometimes, living as a disciple simply means refusing to retreat from one’s mission, no matter how difficult circumstances become.
Key Takeaways
Challenges can become opportunities for profound human revolution.
Strong determination helps create breakthroughs both personally and collectively.
Faith becomes powerful when reflected in consistent daily action.
Supporting others strengthens our own life condition.
Big goals encourage us to expand beyond our limitations.
Forward With Determination
Today, Anirudh remains deeply determined to:
Continue strengthening faith through action and encouragement
Win in every sphere of life
Raise capable successors
Advance kosen-rufu with the heart of a true disciple
Above all, he remains determined to continue reporting victory after victory to his mentor.
Inspired by a published Buddhist experience and retold with commentary, reflection, and adapted storytelling.