My Smile Revolution
I was introduced to Nichiren Buddhism by my father in 2017.
At that time, I had already spent years battling a deep sense of hopelessness.
When I was just 10 years old, I had been diagnosed with muscular dystrophy — a genetic disorder that causes progressive muscle weakness and degeneration.
Over the years, my condition gradually worsened.
Slowly, I lost strength in my limbs.
Eventually, I became wheelchair bound.
Although I completed college through correspondence, my world had become extremely small.
I stayed mostly confined inside the house for more than a decade.
I taught students through tuition classes and genuinely found joy in teaching.
But internally, I constantly struggled with one painful question:
“Why me?”
I had unconsciously accepted that this illness was my destiny and that there was no real solution.
I was alive physically — but emotionally, I had stopped truly living.
Learning To Dream Again
Everything slowly began changing after I started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
For the first time in years, I found the courage to dream beyond my illness.
I determined that no disease would decide my happiness.
As my confidence in the power of daimoku deepened, I gradually began stepping out of the emotional shell I had created around myself.
I started conducting dialogues with:
My students
Their parents
People around me
I also slowly began experiencing life outside my house again.
I:
Went shopping
Went out to eat
Even traveled abroad
These may appear like small things to others.
But for me, they felt revolutionary.
Each step became proof that my life was not limited by my condition.
Discovering My Unique Mission
In 2019, I was appointed:
Block Chief
District Statistics Incharge
I began chanting sincerely for every member in my unit and for stronger attendance in meetings.
Then one day, during my study of The New Human Revolution , I came across a guidance from Sensei addressed to a young man suffering from muscular dystrophy:
“Be strong. Everyone has a special mission. Those who don’t let their weaknesses defeat them are true victors.”
(‘Cheers of Victory’, NHR-30 [Part 2], 140)
When I read those words, I felt as though Sensei was speaking directly to me.
Something shifted profoundly inside my heart.
I realized:
My illness itself could become my mission.
If I could live with joy, courage, and strength despite my condition, I could encourage countless others who were struggling.
For the first time, I stopped seeing myself as someone lacking something — and began seeing myself as someone capable of giving hope.
Supporting Others Despite My Own Challenges
In 2021, I became deputy district chief.
Although my physical limitations remained, I challenged myself wholeheartedly in faith.
I supported meetings by:
Chanting daimoku
Encouraging members through calls
Sharing Sensei’s guidance daily
Supporting activities behind the scenes
I also continued conducting dialogues with many people.
Then in June 2022, I faced another severe challenge.
I met with an accident and sustained multiple fractures in both legs.
Surgery became necessary.
For a brief period, I felt deeply disheartened.
The fear that my condition would deteriorate further became overwhelming.
But during that difficult phase, my Gakkai family surrounded me with immense encouragement and support.
Their prayers strengthened me tremendously.
Before surgery, I determined to chant for the surgeon’s Buddhahood to emerge.
I continued chanting right until the moment I became unconscious in the operation theater.
The surgery went successfully.
But afterward, my legs remained in casts for six weeks.
The doctors worried that the lack of movement would weaken my muscles further and worsen my disease progression.
Still, I refused to surrender mentally.
I needed a concrete goal that would pull me forward.
So I made one powerful determination:
I would attend the July discussion meeting no matter what.
That goal became my source of strength.
Turning Determination Into Actual Proof
Despite my physical pain, I began calling members daily and encouraging them sincerely.
Unexpectedly, my life condition started inspiring everyone around me.
At the same time, my daily study of Value Creation kept my spirits uplifted.
Gradually, my conviction became stronger:
I would recover.
My condition would not defeat me.
And finally, I attended the July discussion meeting held at my own home.
The meeting had wonderful attendance and tremendous joy.
That day became a turning point for me emotionally.
I realized that my spirit was far stronger than my physical limitations.
Afterward, I made every BSG campaign my roadmap for advancing kosen-rufu.
I followed activity guidelines sincerely and prayed with the conviction that every member in my district would report victory.
Choosing Gratitude Over Negativity
One spirit from Sensei’s writings transformed my way of living deeply:
“Hope is always a decision.”
Whenever negativity now tries to enter my mind, I consciously return to hope through daimoku.
I have come to realize that my illness pushed me to deeply reflect on:
The meaning of life
The purpose of suffering
How I truly wanted to live
Today, instead of resentment, I feel gratitude.
When the May 3rd Campaign was announced this year, I determined to fully practice the “3Ds.”
I:
Chanted up to three hours daily
Held 40 dialogues
Did four shakubuku
Studied campaign material with fellow Women’s Division members
As a result, our district discussion meeting became vibrant:
Attendance reached 40
Seven New Friends attended
Eight members shared experiences
Meanwhile, medically, my disease continues progressing — but much more slowly than expected.
Doctors who once predicted severe deterioration after the age of 40 are now amazed by my enthusiasm and positivity toward life.
I may not have control over every physical limitation, but I now completely control how I choose to live each day.
A Line That Stayed With Me
“Those who don’t let their weaknesses defeat them are true victors.”
Reflection
Physical illness often creates invisible emotional walls.
Over time, fear and hopelessness can become stronger than the disease itself.
My journey taught me that true victory does not necessarily mean the complete absence of challenges.
Sometimes true victory means:
Refusing to lose hope
Continuing to encourage others
Living with dignity despite limitations
Finding meaning within suffering
Buddhism helped me understand that weaknesses themselves can become the source of our greatest strength and mission.
And when we stop asking “Why me?” and begin asking “How can I use this life to encourage others?”, everything changes.
Key Takeaways
Inner transformation is more powerful than external limitations.
Illness does not define one’s happiness or mission.
Hope is a daily decision.
Encouraging others strengthens one’s own life force.
Human revolution transforms suffering into purpose.
Forward With Determination
Today, I determine to continue my “smile revolution.”
Through strong daimoku and heartfelt dialogue, I want to expand the movement of peace and hope.
I will continue encouraging:
Women’s Division members
Youth Division members
Future Division members
I also determine to make my district vibrant with actual proof in faith.
Above all, I will continue living with the conviction:
I am Shin’ichi Yamamoto. I am invincible.
Inspired by a published Buddhist experience and retold with commentary, reflection, and adapted storytelling.