Losing My Job Helped Me Discover My Mission
I began practicing Nichiren Buddhism in Bengaluru in 2011.
But honestly, for the first few years, I practiced only casually.
It was only in 2014 — when multiple challenges suddenly appeared in my life — that I truly returned to faith seriously.
I began chanting consistently again, studying Ikeda Sensei’s guidance deeply, and participating sincerely in Gakkai activities.
For the first time, I started understanding that Buddhist practice was not merely about solving problems, but about transforming myself from within.
Encouraged by seniors in faith, I prayed earnestly to become a capable disciple of Ikeda Sensei.
As I exerted in faith, practice, and study, I gradually changed internally.
I:
Let go of long-held resentment toward my parents and sibling
Overcame challenges related to becoming a parent
Grew steadily in my professional life
Began believing in my own potential
When My Stability Suddenly Disappeared
In April 2023, I experienced something completely unexpected.
After 13 years of professional work experience, I was laid off for the very first time.
Initially, it felt deeply unsettling.
Yet even within that difficult situation, I experienced protection.
I received a severance package equivalent to 10 months of salary.
Instead of collapsing emotionally, I decided to challenge this phase based on faith.
On May 3rd, I wrote a determination letter to Ikeda Sensei.
Receiving his encouragement filled me with tremendous hope and responsibility.
Around the same time, I also took responsibility as a YMD Deputy Area Chief.
Building My Life Around Daimoku
I realized that if I wanted to win, I needed to strengthen my life condition first.
I began waking up at 5 a.m. daily.
Every morning, I challenged:
Abundant daimoku
Daily Gosho study
Reading two installments of The New Human Revolution
I prayed sincerely to become wise, courageous, and capable enough to face every obstacle head-on.
At the same time, I launched what I personally called my:
“Home-Visit Revolution.”
My Home-Visit Revolution
In just three months, I completed more than 120 home visits to YMDs and Future Division boys across five zones in Bengaluru.
My life became extremely busy.
Yet strangely, I felt more alive and joyful than ever before.
I found myself simultaneously:
Planning meetings
Supporting statistics work
Handling member transfers
Encouraging YMDs and FDs
Helping at home
Being a more hands-on father
Spending quality time with family
And somehow, I was doing everything joyfully.
Alongside this, I also focused on improving my health.
I began exercising regularly and successfully lost excess weight.
During this period, I additionally completed a postgraduate program from IIM Vishakhapatnam.
Strengthening My Vow
Attending the Mentor Memorial Hall Training Course in July 2023 became another major turning point.
There, I deeply strengthened my determination to strive with the spirit of:
“I am Shin’ichi Yamamoto.”
After returning, I intensified my efforts even further.
I home-visited more YMDs who were facing struggles.
I carefully wrote down their names and prayed specifically for each person’s breakthrough.
Traveling Beyond My Comfort Zone
At one point, financial constraints made me hesitant to travel for activities outside Bengaluru.
I limited myself mostly to calls.
Then a senior leader encouraged me:
If necessary, travel in general compartment by train — but don’t reduce your spirit to encourage members.
That guidance deeply moved me.
Over the next four months, I traveled repeatedly to cities including:
Salem
Thammapatti
Chennai
Belagavi
Kolhapur
Sangli
Hubli
Dharwar
I met YMDs and Future Division members again and again.
Seeing members facing enormous struggles yet fighting joyfully for kosen-rufu transformed my own life.
I developed deep gratitude.
The Fear Of Leaving Home
Meanwhile, despite months of effort, I wasn’t receiving interview calls.
A senior leader encouraged me to broaden my job search beyond Bengaluru.
Honestly, that thought terrified me.
Whenever I prayed about potentially moving away from my family, tears would roll down my cheeks.
But through continuous daimoku, I gradually became fearless.
In this same period, I also conducted 13 sincere dialogues.
Victories Begin To Flow
Gradually, many YMDs I had encouraged began reporting victories.
Several restarted their practice strongly and took responsibility in their districts.
Then, unexpectedly, I received a call from a company owner regarding a role based in Pune.
The surprising part was:
I had not even applied for the role.
I was selected for my dream profile with a 51 percent salary hike.
Around the same time:
My wife secured a senior role with a 40 percent hike
We admitted our daughter into an excellent school
My wife gifted me a new car to support my long-distance Gakkai travel
At my new workplace, I also began receiving appreciation directly from the CEO.
For the first time, I genuinely felt that my work reflected the values of beauty, benefit, and good.
Continuing To Fight For Kosen-rufu
Today, I continue supporting Sangli-Kolhapur District as an honorary district chief.
I travel nearly 350 kilometers regularly for meetings and home visits.
In one recent discussion meeting, our attendance reached 48, including 13 New Friends.
One YMD shared that within just two months of practice, his stagnant business had started growing again.
Listening to such victories fills my heart with immense gratitude.
My Greatest Realization
Looking back now, I realize losing my job was not a punishment.
It was an opportunity to deepen my mission.
Before this period, I was mainly focused on personal stability and comfort.
But through these struggles, I developed:
Greater courage
Greater compassion
Greater gratitude
A stronger commitment to kosen-rufu
Most importantly, I experienced that genuine joy emerges when we dedicate ourselves to encouraging others.
Key Takeaways
Challenges often become gateways to discovering our mission.
Consistent daimoku strengthens courage and clarity.
Encouraging others expands our own life condition.
Human revolution creates visible transformation in work and family life.
Faith grows strongest when translated into concrete action.
Moving Forward
In 2024, I determine to joyfully strive as an extension of Ikeda Sensei and live a life of no regrets.
I will continue:
Building strong YMD networks in every district
Creating momentum through shakubuku
Fostering the faith of every YMD member
Traveling wherever necessary to encourage members
No matter what mountain appears next in my life, I will keep climbing with daimoku, gratitude, and the spirit of mentor and disciple.