Persevering in Faith to Open the Way Forward
Fifteen years ago, while living in New Jersey, Nitin Sharma began practicing Nichiren Buddhism.
Soon afterward, his wife also started chanting.
Their early years of practice brought several experiences that strengthened their faith deeply.
Despite complications during pregnancy, their first son was born safely.
Later, when their younger son struggled with recurring health issues as an infant, they found the right doctor and treatment at the right time.
Nitin also successfully received his American citizenship.
Little by little, the family began building confidence in the protective power of the Mystic Law.
Returning Home, Facing Uncertainty
After the second wave of the pandemic, Nitin decided to return to India in 2021 to be closer to family members.
Soon after returning, the family purchased their own home.
Outwardly, it looked like a hopeful new chapter.
But internally, Nitin struggled.
Adjusting to the work culture in India became unexpectedly difficult.
Gradually, he became irregular in his Buddhist practice.
Yet even during this difficult phase, his wife and younger son continued practicing sincerely and experiencing benefits.
Their steady faith quietly inspired him.
Sometimes, the people closest to us remind us of the vow we ourselves have forgotten.
A Test of Courage and Conviction
Despite possessing the right skills and experience, Nitin could not secure a suitable job.
Months passed.
With no stable income, the family began depending entirely on savings.
Soon, even paying school fees for his children became difficult.
His wife took up a part-time job to support the household.
At one point, Nitin even considered selling the family’s house in Bhopal.
But before doing so, he first needed to resolve a painful legal dispute over its ownership.
For nearly ten years, another party had challenged their rights to the property despite the family possessing all valid documents.
The legal battle had become mentally exhausting.
Then came a moment that shook Nitin deeply.
His elder son, who was studying in Grade 10, asked him why his prayers were still not being answered.
The question pierced his heart.
At that moment, Nitin realized he had to win — not only for himself, but to demonstrate the power of faith to his son.
During this period, this guidance from Ikeda Sensei became his anchor:
“Faith is inextinguishable hope. The practice of faith is a struggle to realize our desires. Through prayer, hope turns into confidence. Therefore, we must never give up.”
(Faith into Action, p. 105)
With renewed determination, Nitin resolved to challenge the situation through the strategy of the Lotus Sutra.
Polishing His Life During Difficult Times
When Nitin traveled to Bhopal during this period, he made an unexpected discovery.
His uncle and aunt were also practitioners of Nichiren Buddhism.
Chanting together rekindled warmth and connection across the extended family.
Soon, his wife, children, and relatives were chanting together regularly.
His younger son became his constant chanting partner.
Together, they prayed not only for the family’s happiness and financial breakthrough, but even for their favorite IPL team to win.
Nitin often smiled at his son’s innocent sincerity.
But deep inside, he also learned something profound.
Childlike faith carries extraordinary power because it refuses to surrender to doubt.
Despite all the uncertainty, his family continued standing firmly beside him.
Gradually, their struggle stopped feeling like an individual burden.
It became a shared mission to report victory to their mentor.
Determined to protect his dignity and family home, Nitin worked closely with his lawyer and carefully strengthened every aspect of the legal case.
Slowly, the situation began turning in their favor.
The opposing claims eventually collapsed in court due to lack of evidence.
The family’s rightful ownership was finally recognized.
For Nitin, this victory became undeniable proof of the power of determined prayer combined with courageous action.
But he knew the battle was still not over.
Rousing the Heart of the Lion
Following the legal victory, Nitin made another deep determination.
He decided to replace fear and doubt with gratitude toward the Gohonzon and his mentor.
He increased his daily daimoku to three hours.
He also began chanting regularly in alliance with men’s division members.
When someone pointed out that his gongyo pronunciation needed improvement, Nitin sincerely worked on correcting it.
Instead of feeling criticized, he chose growth.
Real faith means polishing ourselves even in the smallest details.
Around the same time, he actively participated in a Sustainability Conclave in Bengaluru.
Then, unexpectedly, a friend invited him to join a client’s team to manage projects and client relationships across Mumbai, Gurugram, and the United States.
After several meetings, he was offered a permanent position.
The breakthrough came suddenly — just when things had seemed most uncertain.
Strengthening Bonds Through Encouragement
Filled with gratitude, Nitin began reaching out to men’s division members in his district during the MD month of August.
He wanted to strengthen connections and encourage others in faith.
During this time, he met two members who had recently moved into the district.
Visiting them became deeply meaningful.
As he listened to their professional and personal struggles, Nitin developed a deeper understanding of compassion and gratitude.
Together, they began doing alliance gongyo regularly.
One member had an extremely demanding work schedule.
So many of their chanting sessions happened late at night.
Those quiet late-night prayers gradually became moments of shared courage, hope, and determination.
Today, Nitin also chants regularly with his elder son during weekends and shares Sensei’s guidance with him.
What began as a struggle for survival slowly transformed into a life dedicated to encouragement.
A Line That Stayed With Me
“Through prayer, hope turns into confidence. Therefore, we must never give up.”
Reflection
Many people lose confidence when prayers do not seem to produce immediate results.
But Buddhism teaches that faith is not passive waiting.
It is the courage to continue moving forward despite uncertainty.
Nitin’s journey reminds us that difficult periods often become the very moments that strengthen family bonds, deepen conviction, and awaken hidden courage.
Sometimes, the greatest proof of faith is not avoiding hardship — but refusing to be defeated by it.
Key Takeaways
Faith transforms hopelessness into confidence.
Family support becomes a powerful source of strength during difficult times.
Prayer must be accompanied by courageous and practical action.
Challenges can become opportunities to deepen compassion and gratitude.
Encouraging others strengthens our own life condition.
Forward With Determination
Today, Nitin remains determined to excel in his new professional role while deepening his Buddhist practice.
He continues striving to:
Strengthen faith within his family
Encourage fellow members wholeheartedly
Create value in his workplace
Advance steadily with gratitude toward his mentor and the Gohonzon
Inspired by a published Buddhist experience and retold with commentary, reflection, and adapted storytelling.