Eiko’s story
I was born in Shimane prefecture in Japan as the second daughter of five siblings. I had a liver disease and was hospitalized for six years.
Our mother left us shortly after giving birth to us. Our Grandparents sold their land to pay for my medical expenses. They continued to raise us afterwards.
When I was twelve years old, my Grandmother became ill. It became difficult for me to live with her so I had to move into my uncle’s house in Hiroshima.
However, after being abused there, I moved to Osaka with other relatives. They also abused me.
Then my Grandparents died. One right after the other. I was very depressed by the loss of the only family who really loved me. I felt empty and tried to commit suicide twice.
After the attempted suicide, I found out I had epilepsy.
When I was a high school, I used the money my Grandfather left behind to rent an apartment. I worked hard day and night. I only trusted money, not people.
At that time, the landlord of the apartment who was a member of Soka Gakkai (SGI), came to my room every day to ask me to chant with him. He said, “You will be happy!”
I dreamed of happiness, so I decided to join Soka Gakkai. That was in 1984.
However, my seizures became worse even though I prayed so hard and attended every service at SGI. I did not hear or learn anything about Nichiren Daishonin Buddha. Instead, I was forced to promote the Seikyo Shinbun newspaper and recruit people.
When my leader told me to chant 10 hours, I did!
When my leader told me “The bigger the alter, the more luck!” I used all my money to buy a bigger alter and waited to receive something wonderful.
Nothing changed and I never saw good things come into my life. On top of that, I was skeptical when a young female director of Soka Gakkai collapsed during her prayer and died the next day.
I stopped going to Soka Gakkai when I was 20 years old.
I kept on working hard and saved a lot of money. When I was 27, I bought a brand new car and a luxury condo in Osaka! I was thrilled!
My new life was about to begin! Then the Han-shin Awaji Earthquake hit Osaka. (Jan 17th, 1995)
I survived, but lost everything.
I moved to Tokyo to start a new life.
In 2012, when I went for a Mammogram, they found a lump in my right breast. It turned out that I had terminal cancer. I did not have much time left.
Even though I was in pain, I continued chanting Nam Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo. I never forgot about Nichiren Daishonin Buddha.
On top of that, last year (2018) June, I was diagnosed with AML (Acute Myelogenous Leukemia), and was in a coma for two months.
I survived and was discharged in May 2019.
On June 14th, after the follow up with my doctor, I learned that my condition was very severe and the doctor told me again that I did not have much time left.
After I left the hospital, I was devastated, and the fear of death struck me so hard that I couldn’t stand up so I sat down on a bench near the Funabashi station (Chiba prefecture).
Ms. Fujino from Fuji Taisekiji Kenshokai saw me and approached.
She showed me a flyer that asked: “Who is Nichiren Daishonin Buddha?” and told me about the True Buddha’s immeasurable virtue and the medicine for the soul – Nam Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo.
My eyes were glued to the beautiful picture of the sacred Mt. Fuji!
I learned that Soka Gakkai banned Nichiren Daishonin Buddha’s soul (Kaidan no Dai Gohonzon) and even if they chanted Nam Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo, it will not reach the Daishonin and they won’t be able to receive good luck and will continue to have bad Karma.
Fuji Taisekikiji Kenshokai is the only group that follows the correct way and are committed to completing the Daishonin’s testament.
I asked her to teach me how to chant the correctly.
Ms. Fujino encouraged me to meet and chant in front of Gohonzon sama (Nichren Daishonin’s soul written in ink).
I felt a joy that I never experienced when I was with Soka Gakkai.
That night I was able to sleep without any pain for the first time in 10 years!
Today, I do not need any pain or sleep medication.
I was thankful and understood how important it is to connect with Nichiren Daishonin Buddha.
Every day I am so excited to pray. I feel happier now than I have ever been.
Asai sensei (President of Fuji Taisekiji Kenshokai) said:
“Soka Gakkai members do not know that they are being fooled by a leader who abandoned the Daishonin’s soul (Kaidan no Dai Gohonzon). It’s so painful. Their prayers towards the Daishonin do not come true. On the contrary, they are destroying themselves. I feel sorry for the members. I want to save them all.”
Looking back, chills run down my spine knowing that I was with Soka Gakkai and was against Nichiren Daishonin Buddha.
Every time I pray, I am full of gratitude. I was saved by a flyer and now I am chanting the correct way to connect with the Daishonin. I am committed to saving as many Soka Gakkai members as possible! I want to help them chant the true Nam Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo to gain unbreakable happiness.
Currently, I am still receiving cancer treatments but there are no side effects at all.
The other day, after my follow up, I was told that the cancer was spreading to my ribs, clavicle, and hipbone. My doctor said
“You will not make it to the new year”
I felt strange that it didn’t upset me. Instead, I am learning about Nichiren Daishonin’s Buppo and I go out every day with my leader and other team members sharing Nam Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo with others.
One day I met a woman at the train station. I told her about Nichiren Daishoin’s Buppo. Her name was Ms. Yoshida and she wanted to try and now she is chanting with me!
I am so thankful to the Daishonin for giving me a team member even though my life will end soon. I feel his love and encouragement to keep going.
I am leaving everything up to Nichiren Daishonin Buddha. Our purpose of life is to reach Jobutsu (unbreakable happiness).
Until my life ends, I will keep chanting and sharing the medicine for the soul – Nam Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo.
Thank you.
Eiko
From Kenshokai’s monthly meeting September 2018
Unbreakable Happiness 