Transforming Betrayal Into A Victory For My Family

My mother introduced me to Nichiren Buddhism in 2007 when I was a Young Phoenix member.

I grew up in a deeply disharmonious family environment.

My father struggled with alcoholism and was often abusive at home.

As a child, I had very little self-confidence.

The one person who became my emotional anchor was my maternal grandfather. He supported our family financially and emotionally and was like a father figure to me.

From a young age, I carried only one wish in my heart:

I wanted to support and protect my family.

Finding Hope Through Buddhism

In the warmth of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism and the Soka Gakkai, I encountered hope for the first time.

I began believing that perhaps our family karma could actually change.

Inspired by the encouragement of members and Sensei’s guidance, I studied hard, became a software engineer, and eventually started working professionally.

Things finally seemed to be stabilizing.

Then, in January 2023, my life completely collapsed.

One Shock After Another

On January 10, 2023, I lost my job in a mass layoff.

The very next day, my grandfather passed away.

I was shattered emotionally.

But an even bigger shock awaited us.

We discovered that my father and his siblings had secretly sold our family house at a price far below its actual value.

Not only that — we were suddenly asked to vacate the house within days.

Later, we learned that one of my uncles had personally profited from the deal through a separate arrangement with the buyer.

At the same time, my younger brother, who had been working remotely, was suddenly instructed to relocate to another city for office work.

Everything seemed to collapse together.

Falling Into Darkness

I sank into grief and hopelessness.

Slowly, I drifted away from faith and activities.

My father resumed drinking heavily and became even more abusive.

I began experiencing suicidal thoughts.

My health deteriorated badly.

Still, one guidance from Ikeda Sensei kept echoing inside me:

“Those who have suffered the most will become the happiest.”

(‘Bold Advance’, The New Human Revolution, vol. 26)

Even though I had become distant from activities, I somehow continued chanting daimoku and reading the Gosho and Sensei’s guidance.

Somewhere deep inside, I had not completely given up.

The Compassion That Pulled Me Back

During this difficult period, fellow members never abandoned me.

They continued checking on me, encouraging me, and praying for me.

Their compassion touched me deeply.

Meanwhile, several small but important protections emerged:

I received a decent severance package

I found temporary work on my very last working day

Later, I secured a full-time role in another company

At the same time, my family and I started searching for a new home — a kosen-rufu house where we could rebuild our lives.

When we finally found one, it was slightly beyond our budget.

I became fearful and hesitant again.

That was when I sought guidance from a senior leader.

He encouraged me to challenge this situation through kosen-rufu and create immense good fortune for my parents and grandparents through sincere efforts in faith.

That guidance became my turning point.

My brother and I made a fresh determination:

We will win over this situation through faith.

Starting Again From Zero

I resumed activities wholeheartedly as a YMD district chief and statistics incharge.

This time, I challenged everything with a stronger sense of responsibility.

I took complete ownership for the success of every discussion meeting.

Toward the BSG Entrance Exam, I wholeheartedly supported eligible members through:

Registration help

Study meetings

Regular encouragement

I also began attending weekly daimoku sessions at BSG Headquarters with my mother and encouraged district members to join.

Meanwhile, I challenged myself seriously as a statistics incharge.

After the launch of BDS, I attended all relevant training sessions and learned the system carefully.

Whenever I faced doubts, I immediately reached out to senior statistics leaders for clarity.

Most importantly, I used BDS with the spirit of cherishing each individual member.

I personally welcomed transferred members, connected outgoing members to their new districts, and carefully followed up with guests attending meetings.

For me, statistics responsibility stopped being data management.

It became an expression of care and responsibility.

March 16th Victory

I determined to report victory by March 16th.

Toward that goal, I challenged:

One million daimoku

30+ home visits

Participation in every meeting

Supporting Value Creation subscriptions

Timely VC delivery

Gradually, the atmosphere in my district began changing.

Many new members — especially youth — emerged.

And then the most beautiful victories began unfolding inside my own family.

My father gave up alcohol.

My younger brother secured a job in Delhi and returned home.

For the first time in years, we experienced genuine harmony as a family.

Recently, all four of us even went on a family vacation together.

My parents took a flight after 26 years.

Watching them smile peacefully felt like a dream come true.

Our Kosen-rufu House

Most importantly, we were able to purchase our new kosen-rufu house.

And amazingly, we only required half the expected loan amount.

In my heart, I felt I had fulfilled my determination to report victory to Sensei before March 16th.

Now, this home will become a place where members can gather joyfully for Gakkai activities.

Reflection

Looking back now, I realize my biggest transformation was internal.

I changed from someone drowning in grief and betrayal into someone capable of standing up again for others.

Faith did not erase my suffering immediately.

But it gave me:

The strength to continue

The courage to rebuild

The wisdom to transform karma into mission

Key Takeaways

The compassion of fellow members can revive hope during darkness.

Human revolution begins by taking responsibility instead of blaming circumstances.

Consistent efforts for kosen-rufu strengthen family harmony.

Statistics and organizational responsibilities become meaningful when based on care for people.

Even deep family karma can transform through sincere faith and action.

Moving Forward

I now determine that my brother and I will become modern-day Ikegami brothers and transform our family karma of jealousy and betrayal into one of harmony and trust.

Toward November 18th, I determine to:

Raise five capable youth division members

Foster three future division members

Chant 13 million daimoku

Conduct more than 700 home visits

Introduce at least seven new lives to the practice

Build a private kaikan toward 2030

No matter what challenges arise, I will continue advancing on the path of mentor and disciple and create actual proof of the Mystic Law through my life.