I was born in Fukuoka prefecture in 1961.
Since I was in the third grade, I started to think that I was different from other people.
Nowadays, it is called “LGBT”, and it is being understood and accepted socially. But in 1975, society did not accept people that were different. I avoided contact with others and stayed in my own shell. When I got home from school, I played by myself.
My father worked so much that he was hardly ever home. He never expressed his love.
When I was in the fifth grade, my mother ran off with someone else. My paternal grandmother raised me.
When I was an adolescent, my mind and body became more uncomfortable, and I often thought about suicide.
Because of the kindness and love from my grandmother, I made it through high school, and after graduating I moved to Osaka to enroll in a vocational school.
I started working part-time at a cabaret bar. The transsexuals who worked there all seemed free and happy. I then decided that I wanted to live as a woman.
In 1989, I had a sexual reassignment surgery overseas, and I finally had the body of a woman. I was so happy!
I went back to Japan and continued working at a cabaret bar in Kitashinchi, Osaka and found myself in a dazzling world.
At that time there was an economic boom. We performed gorgeous shows but in reality, all the members had financial hardship, broken relationships, and fear of aging. Many transsexuals committed suicide because they couldn’t handle this life.
One of the things that stuck out in my mind was the suicide of a friend.
When I rushed to my friend’s place, rose petals were scattered all over the room, and I saw the Buddhist altar door open. I was furious that this Buddha didn’t save my friend’s life!
Later, I found out that my friend was a member of Soka Gakkai and that many other friends who committed suicide were also involved in Soka Gakkai.
I hated religion! I said to myself “Religion is supposed to save people, so why did this happen?” “And, what’s the meaning of Nam Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo?”
Days went by, and on May 5th of last year (2019), when I was working as senior care helper, I received a Shakubuku (sharing Nam Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo) from a friend who had previously joined Kenshokai.
I hated religion, but I was moved to attend the monthly video meeting. Ms. Mori, the area leader read aloud the Kokokubun and said,
“We have little time left” and “Japan will be Buddha country with the construction of the Kokuritsu Kaidan”*
*The platform will be built when all the people in Japan recite Nam Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo with authorization from the Government. This is the place where the Daishonin’s soul,
The Kaidan no Dai Gohonzon will be enshrined.
I was told that “all humankind will be saved,” and without thinking I said to her “That’s wonderful. I wish it would really happen…no, we must make that happen!”
However, I didn’t understand why religion had anything to do with politics*1. I was going to say no to her after the meeting.
After the end of the video, I had a strange experience.
When Ms. Mori said, “Let’s meet the Gohonzon sama”, I felt something warm inside of me. Without me realizing it, I started walking with her toward the prayer hall.
I believe that Asai sensei’s teaching woke me up! My soul was yearning to meet Nichiren Daishonin Buddha!
When I started reading the basic textbooks to learn more about Nichiren Daisonin’s Buppo, I was amazed at the “Three life periods of past, present and future” and changed my outlook on life. I thought that happiness meant having fun all the time.
When you know what true happiness is, there is nothing more important than your soul. The state where the development of life is not hindered is called happiness and the purpose of life is to gain unbreakable happiness Jobutsu. When you chant Nam Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo, you are connecting with the Universe and changing your bad Karma.
Also, “good” is the act of altruism, that is, making others happy, and “evil” is the opposite. Therefore, the greatest evil is to trick a person with evil laws.
In this passage, I remembered the sad and terrible death of my friends, and realized how evil Soka Gakkai’s former president Daisaku Ikeda* was for antagonizing the Daishonin.
(*Soka Gakkai teamed up with Nichiren Shoshu Othodox and built a false building in 1972 called Shohondo and declared it as the platform which the Daishonin left for us to build. In addition to that, the official announcement was made that Soka Gakkai is discarding the Daishonin’s soul, The Kandan no Dai Gohonzon Nov. 8th, 2014)
When I chanted every day, I no longer suffered from the negative opinions of others. It didn’t bother me anymore. I was filled with happiness that I never felt before!
I felt the gratitude of the Yohai Gongyo (Praying towards Mt. Fuji from afar) that connects me to The Kaidan no Dai Gohonzon. I couldn’t keep this to myself, so I started sharing it with my friends. My best friend is now chanting with me! 😀
Recently I became a group leader. I feel nervous about this huge responsibility and want to help Asai sensei to reach 3 million members. When this number is reached, he can remonstrate the Japanese Government for the third time regarding the true security of Japan by Nichiren Daishonin’s teachings. (Rissho Ankoku Ron – Establishing the correct teaching for the peace of the land)
I am so excited and full of passion to complete the Daishonin’s Testament!
During the lockdown due to the Coronavirus, I participated in the street distribution of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buppo for the first time.
I am using the guidance of the Daishonin’s teaching, “To have devotion like water“* in my faith.
I’m determined to help the Daishonin’s testament, so all the people in the world can reach unbreakable happiness!
Thank you!
Rui
From Fuji Taisekiji Kenshokai Newspaper 5/25/20
Unbreakable Happiness 