Turning My Illness Into My Mission
I was physically fragile since childhood.
At the age of nine, I was diagnosed with:
Type 1 diabetes
Liver failure
I eventually had to undergo a liver transplant.
My immunity was extremely weak.
I was undernourished, constantly sick, and dependent on medication.
Back then, my life often felt like a flickering lamp that could go out at any moment.
Even as a child, I could sense the pity in people’s eyes.
Most looked at me with sympathy.
But one person was different.
My teacher constantly encouraged me not to give up on myself.
Through her sincere efforts, I encountered Nichiren Buddhism.
In December 2014, at the age of 11, I entered the world of Soka.
Finding Hope Through The Practice
The practice became my anchor.
Even when I was bedridden with 104°F fever, I would chant daimoku in high spirits.
Though I was young, Sensei’s guidance deeply inspired me.
Despite:
Constant health setbacks
Average academic performance
Low physical stamina
I dared to dream of becoming a doctor.
Many people found that unrealistic.
But somewhere deep inside, I wanted my life to become proof that illness does not define one’s future.
Then in 2022, I achieved a major breakthrough.
I secured an All-India Rank of 2748 and gained admission into a government medical college.
For me, that victory represented far more than an academic achievement.
It felt like reclaiming my life from fear.
When My Health Karma Resurfaced
But within just one month of joining college, my health challenges returned intensely.
I was diagnosed with De novo autoimmune hepatitis .
Essentially, my body had started attacking its own liver.
The prescribed treatment involved:
Lifelong steroids
Immunosuppressants
The side effects were brutal:
Uncontrolled blood sugar
Weight gain
Mood swings
Muscle loss
High infection risk
Additionally, the dosage of my transplant medicines also had to be increased.
Physically and emotionally, it became exhausting.
Yet I determined not to be defeated.
I chanted abundant daimoku and focused seriously on taking care of my health.
Gradually, my medical parameters stabilized.
Whenever I felt discouraged, senior leaders reminded me of my mission and encouraged me through Sensei’s guidance.
Shifting From “Why Me?” To Mission
Then in July 2024, another shock arrived.
A routine fibroscan revealed severe fibrosis — an early stage of cirrhosis.
I felt shattered internally.
I immediately repeated the tests.
The reports confirmed the same findings.
Still, my doctors reassured me that my liver function remained stable for the time being.
That phase changed my prayer completely.
Earlier, my practice was largely benefit-oriented.
But now something shifted inside me.
Instead of asking:
“Why is this happening to me?”
I began asking:
“What can I do for kosen-rufu despite this?”
That inner transformation became a turning point.
Persevering Despite Repeated Challenges
Within one month, I was hospitalized twice due to infections.
Still, I continued fighting.
One Gosho passage became my lifeline:
“Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is like a roar of a lion; what sickness can therefore be an obstacle?”
(‘Reply to Kyo’o’, WND-1, 412)
In October 2024, despite running a high fever, I appeared for my pre-university examinations in a strong life condition.
Then in November, I was diagnosed with a severe UTI.
But I recovered steadily and eventually became one of the top scorers in my class.
My health remained relatively stable.
Even my diabetes came under better control.
Facing Emotional Battles
The year 2025 brought new kinds of struggles.
Alongside health issues, I began facing:
Emotional turmoil
Anxiety
Difficult relationships
Fear about the future
During the March 16th Campaign, I fought intensely with Sensei in my heart.
But by April, anxiety had consumed me so deeply that I cried myself to sleep almost every night.
The long-term steroid effects also began manifesting more visibly in my body.
At that low point, a senior in faith shared powerful encouragement from Sensei.
I decided once again not to surrender to fear.
Rebuilding My Life Condition
I started attending morning daimoku sessions regularly with fellow YMD members.
I also:
Conducted three to four home visits daily
Studied Sensei’s guidance every day
Focused on sincere dialogues
Gradually, my life condition began rising again.
During this period:
Three inactive members returned to faith
I deepened my bond with my mentor
I regained emotional stability
Then I received confirmation for attending the Mentor Memorial Hall Training Course on July 3rd.
I viewed it as a chance to create a profound prime point with my mentor.
Before attending the course, I introduced one person to the practice.
The entire experience transformed my determination completely.
I vowed to fulfill my mentor’s vision through my own efforts and struggle.
Actual Proof Appears
Then came a breakthrough I had prayed for over many years.
After a routine checkup on July 14th, my doctor informed me that I could finally stop taking the steroid medication I had been dependent on for four years.
I was overwhelmed.
The painful side effects that had dominated my life for years would finally begin reducing.
For me, this was not merely a medical development.
It felt like actual proof of transforming poison into medicine again and again.
A Line That Stayed With Me
“It is the heart that is important.”
(‘The Strategy of the Lotus Sutra’, WND-1, 1000)
Reflection
Living with chronic illness can slowly create:
Fear
Isolation
Self-pity
Anxiety about the future
There were moments when my life felt unbearably fragile.
But Buddhism taught me that my illness did not make my life smaller.
It gave my life deeper meaning.
I realized that courage is not the absence of fear.
Courage means continuing to move forward despite fear.
I also learned that mission-oriented faith transforms suffering profoundly.
When we stop asking “Why me?” and begin asking “How can I contribute?”, our life condition changes dramatically.
Most importantly, I learned that no external diagnosis can define the limitless potential of life.
Key Takeaways
Faith transforms fear into purpose.
Mission-oriented practice creates inner strength.
Chronic illness does not define one’s identity.
Consistent daimoku builds emotional resilience.
Encouraging others strengthens one’s own life condition.
Forward With Determination
Toward November 18th, I determine to:
Maintain strong health and stronger faith
Become independent of all medications one day
Continue encouraging youth sincerely
Advance kosen-rufu in my district and chapter
Above all, I determine to fight with the heart of a champion disciple and become a true beacon of hope for others facing illness.
Sensei, you can count on me.
Inspired by a published Buddhist experience and retold with commentary, reflection, and adapted storytelling.