Greater South Asian Group of the Washington DC Region 

Experiences 
 

Good morning, friends!! I am Renu Jain and I have been practicing this wonderful life philosophy since 1993. When I was introduced to this Buddhism, I was almost on my deathbed due to complications during the birth of my second child. The doctors had even given up complete hope of my survival. But to the surprise of the doctors and my in-laws, I began to recover from the moment I chanted Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. Very soon I was discharged from hospital and sent home. 

Despite being married into a conservative Jain family I began to practise regularly. I learned Gongyo and got up very early in the morning to do my prayers so that I would not disturb anyone in the house. In 1996, my husband went to his office and did not return home -- he has not returned as of this date. Left alone with two small children, I was totally shattered. To add to my suffering, my in-laws began to behave very badly towards me, cutting off the electricity of my room, and not allowing me to even buy milk for my children. I had suffered from leukoderma since my childhood and, with all these problems, my disease began to spread all over my body rapidly. I developed a deep inferiority complex and did not step out of the house even for BSG meetings. 

A few months later, I returned home to my parents in Jaipur. I was a housewife with no work experience and I could not speak English. I could not even drive a vehicle. The responsibility of my two small children was on my shoulders. I did not get much support from my family as well and so the Gakkai became my only support in the whole world. I started to attend meetings in Jaipur, chanting strong diamoku for wisdom and life force to show actual proof of this practise in my life. 

The gosho says "suffer what there is to suffer and enjoy what there is to enjoy. Consider both suffering and joy as facts of life and continue chanting nam myoho renge kyo no matter what. Then you will experience the boundless joy of the law." These lines of the Daishonin became my support during this time, and, holding on to them, I appeared and cleared the interview for medical representative. Though I had no work experience and could not speak in English I had got a job. I was very thankful to the Gohonzon for this benefit in my life. 

As I had no vehicle, I had to walk in the sun the whole day with both my children in my arms. This could have been very harmful for my disease as exposure to the sun causes redness and itching. However, I received a lot of protection from my prayer and continued to work without any problems. Sensei says that all results are decided by the strength of one's determination and faith. 

Despite being a single mother with a full time job and having very limited money, I struggled to attend Gakkai meetings and participate in activities. Even though I could not speak in English, I struggled to learn the language, so that I could share my experiences with members. Every meeting really encouraged me. 

I also started to read the Gosho. At first I thought I will not be able to understand the Gosho at all. But as I made the effort to read it, I felt many lines of the gosho start to give me courage and hope. Benefits poured into my life -- I began to do well at work and always earned money incentives. Very soon I was able to move into a one-room house with my children. 

Within a few years, my life has changed 200% because of this practice. Today I own a piece of land and am building my own house on it. My children study in a renowned English medium school and I have a kinetic honda to move around on. Another wonderful benefit of this practice has been that my disease has disappeared completely without any medication. The doctors are very surprised and many people have asked me what magic have I done for this to happen. My skin has become one color and there are no patches at all. Today I have no symptoms of my disease. Truly as the Daishonin says, no prayer of the votary of the lotus sutra will go unanswered. 

This is not the end of actual proof in my life. I had never thought about re-marriage, even for a moment. I felt that no one would agree to marry me and adopt my two sons. But truly this prayer makes the impossible possible. In the year 2002, a good man from a known family, well-settled in his business, asked my parents for my hand in marriage. A senior leader guided me to chant abundant daimoku 
to make the right decision. I wanted very much for my future husband to accept this practice in my life and chanted a lot for this to happen. 

Last May 3rd meeting, my husband dropped me at Neelam Aunty's house. I had chanted a lot and, mustering up courage, told him about this practice and my deep desire to continue it. Today, one year after my marriage, I am very happy to report total victory to all of you. My husband and his family are very wonderful human beings. I have their complete support with my practice as well as with my career. I have been able to shakubuku my stepson, Sandeep Godha, to this practice as well. 

Not only this I have been able to enshrine my Gohonzon in my house with complete support of my family last September. Today I work as a Personnel Manager with a renowned pharmaceutical company in the city. I work only four hours in a day and draw a handsome five figure salary. This gives enough time for my gakkai activities. 

Writing an experience has always been a struggle for me, but I am very thankful to the Gohonzon that I can stand before you and report victory today. Very mystically, every time I share an experience I receive even more benefit. Just two days ago, I was contacted by the third largest pharmaceutical company in India, and they have offered me a good job with very good salary. Such a job is usually offered to people who have MBA degrees only. As I now chant to take the most correct decision about this new turn in my life, I determine to continue to show a lot of actual proof in my life and to do the best in every area of my life. I am determined to complete my house before the end of this year and have Gakkai meetings there. I am also determined to teach this prayer to my sons because I know that there is no problem they cannot overcome if they have this faith in their lives. Thank you.