Toshie’s story
In 2015, I was introduced to Nichiren Daishonin’s Buppo from Ms. Takahashi. She was the mother of my son’s classmate. She told me that chanting Nam Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo was the medicine for the soul. I wanted to try it.
As I started chanting, I felt a positive change in my life.
One day I got into a bad car accident. Even though it was totaled, I was unharmed. I was thankful to the Daishonin for saving my life and shared my experience with my family. They were amazed and wanted to know more about Nichiren Daishonin Buddha. One by one they started chanting with me!
My 83 year old mother- in- law used be a member of a Unification Church. She purchased many luxury items because she was told that it would bring her good luck and happiness. Among them was a vase that cost $6000! Unbelievable!
Even though she spent all her money, her situation worsened. She became very sick, lost hearing in her right ear, suffered from joint disease of the hip, and had severe back pain.
After she start chanting, she became stronger and was able to participate in studying Buppo and attending the meetings.
Two years ago, she had hip surgery and was discharged within a month. She was able to return to work! She even drove herself there! Amazing! Her husband, who used to slander Nichiren Daishonin Buddha, saw his wife full of vitality and started chanting with her!
According to the Daishonin’s teaching “Three obstacles and four evils”:
“As your faith gets stronger, the three obstacles* and the four evils** will appear without fail in a confusing form to interfere with your faith.”
This is proof that Nichiren Daishonin’s Buppo is the correct teaching. No need to be afraid. Face them with strength and confidence. By overcoming these obstacles you will change your fate.
*1. Bonnosho (Greed, Anger, complaints). 2. Gosho (Family interfering with your faith; children, partner, sibling). 3. Hosho (Authority over you; Parents, Government).
** 1. Bonno-Ma (arises from the hindrance of earthly desires – greed, anger, complaints),
2. Ohn-Ma (arises from one’s physical and mental state), 3. Shi-Ma (the hindrance of death),
4. Tenji-Ma (the hindrance of the evil king- this is the most difficult to overcome.)
As my devotion grew stronger my older son, who did not like my faith, kept calling and harassing me all night into the morning. He believed the negative social media posts about Fujitaisekiji Kenshokai and tried to stop me from chanting.
Every time my son called, I became weaker.
My leader taught me that my son’s sabotaging behavior was “Masho”- one of the three obstacles necessary to change our fate. She encouraged me to Shakubuku (share Nam Myo Ho Ran Ge Kyo with others) so it would propel me to overcome my obstacles. I asked the Daishonin to help my son and I continued to do Shakubuku!
Then my son started having bad things happen to him. He fell down a flight of stairs and hurt himself. He was also involved in a fight and was seriously injured. I understood why this was happening to him because of his slanderous acts toward Nichiren Daishonin Buddha.
Finally he apologized and acknowledged my belief. I was very happy that I was able to beat Masho.
I had experienced “Tenju Kyoju”* (lessening one’s Karmic retribution) through my own illness.
*One experiences the effects of bad Karma from the past and lessens it
by chanting the True Nam Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo.
Last November, when my eldest son was in the process of getting divorced, I visited him in Tokyo. I was with my second son and my eldest son’s child whom I was taking care of while he and his wife were going through the divorce proceedings.
An hour after I arrived in Tokyo, I suddenly felt ill. My son called an ambulance. Since my symptoms were mild, I was transported to a private hospital. I was diagnosed with Aortic Dissection* and was immediately transferred to the Nippon Medical School Hospital and rushed into ICU!
*Aortic Dissection is a serious condition in which there is a tear in the wall of the major artery carrying blood out of the heart (aorta). As the tear extends along the wall of the aorta, blood can flow in between the layers of the blood vessel wall (dissection). The severe pain coupled with the feeling that something sharp is tearing in your chest can lead to death.
I was scared of being hospitalized and bedridden, however, I still chanted every day. Normally a patient who went through this operation couldn’t be moved due to severe pain, but I had none at all! I was also able to eat on the fourth day!
On top of that, the nurses and doctors were so kind to me. I felt love from Nichiren Daishonin.
Also, my eldest son, who used to be against me, brought my prayer beads and book to the bedside. I wanted to pray so my wish came true! After I prayed that day, I was relieved and grateful to the Daishonin.
On December 13, I underwent a stent graft operation to insert an artificial blood vessel.
Later I learned a doctor specializing in cardiac surgery was at the hospital, so I was immediately taken in for the procedure!
Also, he did an amazing job and I was able to leave the hospital a week later! My second son took care of me until I got my strength back. I was filled with joy because of my good fortune.
I found out that in Hachinohe, Aomori (Northern Japan) where I live, that there were no facilities performing this particular operation.
The other day, I had the opportunity to meet a man who also developed aortic dissection. He told me that he was transported while suspended in a hammock. Because he was in so much pain, he could not lie down in the ambulance during the ride to the emergency room. He was still in an inoperable state.
I realized how fortunate I was.
When I look back, I remembered how everything went so smoothly. The timing was good because this all happened before the Coronavirus. Luckily, I had symptoms in Tokyo and because they were mild, I was taken to a private hospital where a doctor immediately diagnosed me. He also accompanied me in the ambulance! I felt like the Daishonin was there by my side.
I was horrified to think what would have happened if I traveled alone to Tokyo. It is also a mystery that my eldest son had taken care of me there.
I am so grateful that I can walk around every day without worry or pain. Through these experiences, I am certain that my prayers connect directly with Nichiren Daishonin Buddha. I know that I can erase my bad Karma and it will have a ripple effect on my loved ones.
Because Asai sensei (President of Fuji Taisekiji Kenshokai) stood up and fought against Nichiren Shoshu Orthodox and Soka Gakkai for the Daishonin’s testament when it was about to be destroyed, we are able to chant Nam Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo correctly. I am so thankful to Asai Sensei for his dedication to Nichiren Daishonin!
Thank you,
Toshie
From Fuji Taisekiji Kenshokai – Aomori area women’s meeting, August 1st, 2020
Unbreakable Happiness 