My Dad’s story:)
For over 30 years my three daughters kept telling me about Nichiren Daishonin Buddha but I refused to listen to them. I did not want to be trapped in one religion.
I was an instructor for the DMV all my life. After my retirement, I began volunteering at a local resident association. I was also in the real estate business and I published a history book about our area .
My daily routine was to be grateful and to pray for Japan and world peace.
I like to learn and read about religion and self development so I can become a better person for my family.
But when I was approached by so many religious groups, I refused to join because I was searching for the one, the RIGHT one that can truly save me.
I took some good parts from different religious teachings and practiced by myself.
When I was 30 years old, my mother introduced me to Hanya Shingyo (Heart Sutra) and I started to chant.
I also started Qigong meditation. I got into the training and started purchasing some equipment.
A few years ago, my wife started experiencing symptoms of dementia. I asked the leader to send his power to heal her. I was told to purchase a vase to receive his power, but her circumstances became worse.
Last year, my grandson Yuto lent me a book about Nichiren Daishonin’s Buppo. I read it, but it was too hard to understand.
Especially the part when Nichiren Daishonin’s says:
“Those who throw away the Lotus Sutra, will fall into evil ways and will experience bad consequences”
After I read that part I thought it was a cult. I asked myself “If I join, will I be able to get out if I want to?” But at the same time, I wanted to know why Nichiren Buddha could say that so confidently.
The more I read Kenshokai’s newspapers, I learned that Kenshokai is the organization led by Asai sensei (president) that is loyal to Nichiren Daishonin Buddha.
Every member treats each other with respect and trusts one another. Their goal is only to achieve the Daishonin’s testament – Kosenrufu, it is the key to true happiness for all people and all countries.
I wanted to try chanting but could not make up my mind because I have an ancestor shrine in my house that was passed on from my family.
In 2018, a resident of the elderly housing that I managed died in the hospital.
To calm the residents’ anxiety and worries, I invited a Shinto monk to exorcize the bad spirits. Also I purchased a shinto shrine and kept it at the house.
From that time on, my health got worse.
I was diagnosed with valvular heart disease. My doctor told me to avoid heavy lifting and other physical activities. My left leg became swollen and I was unable to sit down on the floor.
My family started worrying about me.
They kept telling me to chant Nam Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo. I finally opened myself up and asked my daughters “In your organization, how do you take care of ancestors?” I also had other questions.
All of them were answered and my oldest daughter brought me the book of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buppo. It was the same book that my grandson lent me!
Surprisingly, this time it was easy to understand and I could not stop reading it! I realized that what I felt was difficult at that time was not the book, but my stubborn heart.
I learned that Nichiren Daishonin Buddha was the Buddha who will save all mankind that Siddhārtha predicted in the Lotus Sutra.
I also watched Asai sensei’s video teaching from the Taipei prayer hall. Asai sensei said:
“As long as it does not go against the Law of the Lotus Sutra, you may use the customs of your area.”
Asai sensei’s teaching was simple and easy to understand. I was so happy that I got a clue about the ancestor worship and at the same time it eased my worries!
I made up my mind to meet the Gohonzon sama (Nichiren Daishonin’s soul written in ink) on a special date. My wife’s birthday was a week away!
I threw away the Shinto Shrine, cleaned my room, and with my daughter’s assistance, I started the Gongyo prayer.
The atmosphere changed after my first prayer, and the dignity I felt inside my heart was indescribable.
On the 8th of August, with my wife beside me, I finally had a Nyusin Gongyo ceremony at the Okinawa prayer hall.
I was so grateful to meet the Gohonzon sama. I felt warm inside and very peaceful.
Two weeks later, I started to feel better.
The swelling on my left leg began to disappear, and the valvular heart disease number dropped dramatically!
The normal pressure of the heart valve is under 18. Mine was 124! The doctor told me to avoid heavy lifting and activities since I am so old.
After chanting, it dropped down to 56 without any treatment!
My doctor was so surprised and asked me “What did you do?”
I could not believe what was happening. Is this the power of the Daishonin that my daughters are talking about?
I could not keep it to myself. I started telling my sister, brother, and other relatives about Nam Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo.
Because my younger sister is chanting Nam Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo with a different organization called Sokka Gakkai (SGI), my siblings thought I joined the same group and said:
“You too? No! I don’t want to hear about that!”
I explained to them that Kenshokai were the ones that protected the testament of Nichiren Daishonin Buddha when it was about to be banished by the head master of the orthodox Shumon and Sokka Gakkai.
Sokka Gakkai has abandoned the important will of Nichiren Daishonin Buddha. Even if they chant Nam Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo, they will not connect to the Daishonin.
My elder sister understood and wanted to experience the power of Buppo. She finally started chanting with me!
When my circumstances began to change for the better, Masho* (the force of evil) attacked me.
My shoulders became stiff and I was in severe pain. Three days later, the pain was unbearable and I could not sleep. It took me 5 minutes to turn over and 30 minutes to get up.
I did not doubt the Daishonin because I knew that the force of evil (Masho) will test me when my faith became stronger. I said to myself: “But this is too painful!”
I went to see a doctor just in case, but nothing was wrong, it was just a stiff muscle!
The other day, after a meeting with the council committee, with permission from the chief, I handed out flyers with information about Nichiren Daishonin’s Buppo and read it to them.
Then one the officers, Mr. Akutsu shouted at me:
“I don’t understand what you are saying! You are crazy! Explain it in Okinawan dialect!” He continued to abuse me and said :
“Who cares about your cured illnesses!”
I was offended at that moment but I remembered what my daughters told me about Masho* so I was able to handle Mr. Akutus’s abuse.
*The force of evil. When your faith gets stronger Masho will try to shake it by using your earthy desires (complaints, anger, greed). He will use your family, children, friends, and parents or those who have authority over you to try and distract you from your faith.
Then the committee chief stood up and said:
“ Let him read everything!”
That shut Mr. Akutsu up. Everyone was quiet and I was able to read it all.
The ultimate purpose of life is to gain unbreakable happiness called Jobutsu and there is only one Buddha who can lead all mankind to this state.
This Buddha was sentenced to death for his great mercy so no one will fall into hell. However, the Japanese Government could not kill him because he was The True Buddha.
We just need to take the medicine that he left for us by chanting Nam Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo. When everyone chants, then we will experience the Daishonin’s testament and the ultimate goal: Kosenrufu! (no more wars, disasters, crimes or diseases).
Through this experience, I learned how Masho works.
Masho hits your weak spot and shakes your devotion. But when you overcome, your circumstances will turn around for the better!
Just like when you fix the surface of a problem, it will not really change unless the root of it is removed.
The pressure of my valvular heart disease has continued to decline and is now down to 34!:) I feel so much better and am able to walk around without a cane!
I am very sorry that I ignored my daughters and grandsons and misunderstand Buppo.
I am 80 years old. I am so grateful that I made it just in time to meet Gohonzon Sama and chant the true Nam Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo!
Thank you!
Tomonori
From Kenshokai Okinawa area meeting – November 8th 2020
Unbreakable Happiness 