Transforming Recognition Into Mission
I am a corporate lawyer by profession.
Ten years ago, I was battling severe depression when a friend introduced me to Nichiren Buddhism.
From the very beginning, I connected deeply with the practice.
Honestly, it felt as natural as a fish taking to water.
I began chanting daimoku with very specific prayers.
I also threw myself wholeheartedly into:
Attending meetings
Doing home visits
Participating in activities
Delivering Value Creation magazines
Gradually, my environment began changing.
One of my earliest breakthroughs came when I received a job offer that matched my prayers almost exactly.
That experience strengthened my conviction in the power of this practice.
At the same time, I also began taking responsibility in Gakkai activities.
Building Discipline In Everyday Life
As my faith deepened, Ikeda Sensei’s guidance became the compass for my daily life.
Professionally, I often found myself handling the work of multiple people.
In 2017, I joined my current organization as legal counsel for the country.
Since I live alone, I became very disciplined about structuring my life carefully.
My days revolved around balancing:
Corporate responsibilities
Gakkai activities
Workout sessions
Household responsibilities
Many times, I would finish home visits early in the morning before work or immediately after office hours.
I also made it a point to carry Value Creation during every home visit so I could share Sensei’s guidance sincerely.
One particular experience deeply stayed with me.
Despite suffering intense pain from a sparring injury, I still delivered a Gosho lecture in high spirits.
Later, doctors diagnosed it as a cracked rib along with an ankle strain.
That incident taught me how life condition can completely change one’s experience of difficulty.
Confronting My Need For Recognition
Professionally, I was performing at a very high level.
I was effectively handling the company’s global legal function.
Yet I neither had the title nor the recognition.
Over time, dissatisfaction began quietly building inside me.
Last year, I even started exploring new job opportunities.
But strangely, none of them felt right.
I kept applying what we often call the test of “beauty, benefit, and good.”
Then one guidance from A Youthful Diary deeply struck me:
“Don’t neglect self-reflection. Remember to advance step by step. Don’t be swayed by things. Be strict in faith.”
(cf. entry for September 23, 1950, 39)
That guidance forced me to look honestly within myself.
I realized something uncomfortable:
The pattern of not feeling acknowledged existed in every previous job too.
So instead of blaming my environment, I decided to transform the tendency through faith and human revolution.
At that time, I was also striving sincerely as Deputy YMD Zone Chief.
The Environment Begins To Change
One day, I casually asked a colleague about the revised appraisal process.
To my surprise, within hours, my CEO himself messaged me.
He praised my loyalty and contribution to the organization.
Then, in front of colleagues across teams, he openly acknowledged my work.
Soon afterward:
I received a 30 percent salary increase
The increment was structured entirely in USD
I officially became a global employee on paper
I also received additional international benefits
For the first time, I felt genuinely appreciated professionally.
Then came another unexpected opportunity.
I represented my company at Gamescom 2024 in Germany.
As someone passionate about gaming, that experience felt surreal.
I:
Managed events
Worked closely with global teams
Bonded with colleagues from multiple countries
Afterward, I fulfilled a long-standing dream by traveling across Europe for eight days.
Facing Loss And Emotional Collapse
A few months later, I attended another company summit in Vietnam.
During that event, my CEO personally told me how valuable I was to the company.
But just one day after returning to India, my life changed completely.
I received news that my mother had been admitted to the ICU in critical condition.
I rushed immediately to Jhansi, my hometown.
Seeing her on oxygen support shattered me emotionally.
I began chanting daimoku intensely for her recovery.
I also:
Studied Sensei’s guidance daily
Read Gosho passages suggested by senior leaders
Received tremendous support from members
Each day felt like a fierce internal battle against fear, helplessness, and despair.
My mother remained hospitalized for nearly 40 days.
Though she briefly returned home in between, she eventually passed away on January 18, 2025.
The few days we spent together after her discharge became some of the most precious moments of my life.
Returning To The Heart Of The Practice
After her passing, I emotionally unraveled.
Old emotional wounds resurfaced intensely.
I struggled with:
Depression
Anxiety
Heart arrhythmia
High blood pressure
Sleeplessness
At one point, even functioning normally became difficult.
But senior leaders and close friends supported me compassionately.
They helped me:
Connect with the right doctors
Seek therapy
Return to the core of faith and practice
Slowly, by exerting sincerely in BSG campaigns and reconnecting to my mission, I began recovering internally.
The challenges did not disappear overnight.
But gradually, they stopped controlling my life.
Building A New Youth Movement
Toward the Dramatic Turnaround YMD July 3rd Campaign this year, we started a new initiative.
Every Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m., we held Gakkai meetings focused on:
Daimoku
Campaign study
Breaking inertia and laziness
I carefully reviewed the BDS and personally reached out to YMD members across four regions.
I specifically focused on:
Seeking youth
Potential future leaders
Inactive YMD members
Through sincere one-to-one encouragement, I connected with nearly 40 YMD members.
In the region I support:
Nine YMD attended the July 3rd Meeting
A core group of 13 active and seeking YMD emerged
Watching capable youth stand up became one of the greatest victories of my life.
A Dramatic Breakthrough
Then, almost simultaneously, major victories unfolded at work.
I was promoted to:
Global Head of Legal Operations
with responsibility for legal functions across:
20 offices
150 countries
Shortly afterward, my CEO also appointed me as:
Director of our Indian entities
giving me authority over:
Finances
Operations
Strategic decision-making
Looking back, I realized something profound.
The real breakthrough was not the title itself.
It was transforming the insecurity and emotional dependency hidden inside me for years.
A Line That Stayed With Me
“Don’t neglect self-reflection. Remember to advance step by step. Don’t be swayed by things. Be strict in faith.”
Reflection
Many professionals silently struggle with:
Burnout
Lack of recognition
Loneliness
Anxiety
Emotional exhaustion
Outward success often hides deep inner insecurity.
My journey taught me that external victories become sustainable only when we transform the inner tendencies creating suffering.
I also realized that leadership is not merely professional success.
True leadership means:
Encouraging others sincerely
Building capable youth
Remaining undefeated during grief
Continuing human revolution every day
Most importantly, Buddhism taught me that self-reflection is not weakness.
It is the beginning of real strength.
Key Takeaways
Self-reflection transforms recurring life patterns.
Consistent practice builds emotional resilience.
Recognition naturally follows inner transformation.
Youth development begins with personal connection.
Grief can deepen one’s mission instead of destroying it.
Forward With Determination
Toward 2030, I determine to:
Chant two hours daily
Study HR volumes 1–4 consistently
Raise 100 capable YMD members in my zone
Shakubuku 25 lives
Above all, I determine to continue advancing as a disciple who transforms every struggle into value and victory.
Inspired by a published Buddhist experience and retold with commentary, reflection, and adapted storytelling.