Visually impaired father and mother remained steadfast in faith and encouraged others in spite of the tremendous challenges they faced.
On December 2, 1964, the day I began writing my serialised novel The Human Revolution in Okinawa, I had the opportunity to encourage a family of local members. The father and mother were both visually impaired and two of their children were struggling with serious health issues. Yet in spite of the challenges they faced, the couple remained steadfast in their faith. The mother eagerly participated in Gakkai activities with fellow members and shared Nichiren’s Buddhism with others. When members came to her with their personal problems, she listened with empathy, chanted with them, and sincerely supported them in their efforts to change their karma.
Today, surrounded by many successors, all of whom are making wonderful contributions to society, she says: “I threw myself into Gakkai activities so wholeheartedly that I forgot about my disability and any negative comments directed at me. I sang Soka Gakkai songs as I tried my hardest. Life is fun when you’re determined to find a way to overcome any obstacle.” The bright, confident voices of our women’s division members and the vibrant, unaffected actions of our young women’s division members have the power to revitalise and positively transform everything around them.