- Devyani Sharma
Depressed, under confident, directionless and pessimist. These were few words to describe me four years back before I encountered Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism.
Hello friends! I am Devyani Sharma, a teacher by profession. I grew up as an under-confident and weak student. Finishing school was an impossible task for me. I was under depression and believed that I was born to suffer. I managed to pass my 12th in my 3rd attempt. On 18th July 2004, I was introduced to this philosophy while I was in the final year of my graduation. That year I received some major experiences that deepened my faith in the Mystic Law and I got completely involved in the practice. The greatest proof was my graduation in single attempt in 2005. I gathered courage to dream big for future. I chanted consistent daimoku, did home visits encouraging my fellow members and studied Sensei’s guidance with a seeking spirit, “Our inner attitude or resolve is the key to changing reality. If we pray in earnest, wisdom will well forth. If we act in earnest a way forward will open.” My wholehearted efforts in faith, practice and study resulted in wisdom and clarity of my mission. Yes, I decided to be a teacher. My family mocked at me saying teaching was not my cup of tea. My decision came about after I based my struggle on faith, so I decided to try it by giving tuitions. By the end of the session, there was a remarkable improvement in my students’ performance and they scored really well. In order to realize my mission and potential, I decided to become a professionally qualified teacher by pursuing B.Ed. This was a big challenge for me as I had the tendency to bunk exams. But my deep resolve and my sincere efforts backed by daimoku helped me conquer the weakest area of my life, ‘STUDIES’. For the first time I also conquered fear and escapism, a fundamental weakness of mine. I filled up B.ed entrance form in DU and GGSIP University in April 2006. I chanted 3hrs 20mins daily for nearly a month and exerted myself in studies. I cleared the entrance in IP and got admission in July 06 in an affiliated college in Rohtak. I visited Delhi on weekends and continued with my practice. Whenever I backslided I immediately bounced back. I attended as many meetings as possible and always shared Sensei’s guidance from Value Creation and the New Human Revolution. The training that I received in Gakkai by participation in presentations further developed and enhanced my potential. My performance in teaching practice was remarkable which helped me impress the most difficult teacher in our college. She praised my teaching ability and my confidence. I gave the actual proof of the greatness of the law.
Slowly, I started relaxing in my practice and neglected studies by postponing them. Daishonin states, “Should you slacken in your resolve even a bit, devils will take advantage.”
Due to time constraint, I was unable to prepare for exams and once again, the fear of failure shattered me. After receiving guidance from a senior leader, I decided to exert in my studies as much as possible. However, I could hardly prepare 25% of the syllabus. For exams, I commuted to Rohtak on daily basis with my father. After returning, I used to study the whole night overcoming my fears and negativities. I received constant support from my parents and leaders, which kept me sailing through the rough seas. I daily chanted for half an hour.
In the exam center, the college authorities to ensure good results practiced unfair means. I also got tempted, as it was an easy way out much effort. “Apply yourself to the faith with the spirit of permeating your entire being with the Mystic Law. Doing so will enable you to develop a life condition of indomitability, capable of dealing with whatever may happen."
Due to time constraint, I was unable to prepare for exams and once again, the fear of failure shattered me. After receiving guidance from a senior leader, I decided to exert in my studies as much as possible. However, I could hardly prepare 25% of the syllabus. For exams, I commuted to Rohtak on daily basis with my father. After returning, I used to study the whole night overcoming my fears and negativities. I received constant support from my parents and leaders, which kept me sailing through the rough seas. I daily chanted for half an hour.
In the exam center, the college authorities to ensure good results practiced unfair means. I also got tempted, as it was an easy way out much effort. “Apply yourself to the faith with the spirit of permeating your entire being with the Mystic Law. Doing so will enable you to develop a life condition of indomitability, capable of dealing with whatever may happen."
The papers went really bad but still I was confident about passing. I got back to the Gakkai activities and chanted consistent daimoku. I also did Byakuren duty in May 13th meeting. I was sure that with each effort I was accumulating immense good fortune in my life.
Keeping aside my fear and worry about the B.ed result, my next step was to get a job. I dropped in my resume in six to seven schools and prayed for a school where I could get Kosen Rufu training and manifest my potential as a teacher.
However, I could not get through the first interview but was still happy, as I had conquered yet another weakness of mine – hesitation and fear.
Few days later, I received an interview call from B.M.V.B School. I cleared both the written exam and the interview out of 20 candidates. My late grandfather had been the Chairman of the school many years back in 1980s. This bothered me as I felt the job was offered to me as a tribute to my grandfather. So, I gathered courage and inquired them about my selection. I was told that the Principal who was unaware of the fact recommended me and I was selected based on interview. My happiness knew no bounds and I immediately accepted the job offer although the salary was very less, my being a fresher. Ikeda Sensei says, “To slack off at work just because one’s salary isn’t high is foolish”
They promised me an increment in the next session depending on my performance. In my heart, I knew that I landed up in the place of my mission. On 30th June 2007, I was introduced to the staff members in the monthly staff meeting. The director of the school addressed me as a very confident teacher and a lady of great self-esteem. It was a great moment for me as I brought glory to my parents and Sensei.
My B.ed result was declared in August 2007. To my surprise I cleared all papers and scored 74%, the highest percentage that I have ever scored. I have now completed a year in the school.
By basing my struggle on faith, I have relieved both conspicuous and inconspicuous benefits. I thank and appreciate the Gohonzon for immense compassion.
My Determination:
I will make a great vow in the same spirit as my mentor
I will strive hard so that chanting daimoku and sharing Buddhism becomes my second nature.
I will become an educationist like Makiguchi Sensei.
By July 3rd 2008 my salary will be more than double
I will report victory to Sensei and share my experience YWD AGM
By 16th September ’08 I will chant 1 million daimoku and change my family’s karma by one eighty degree.
Keeping aside my fear and worry about the B.ed result, my next step was to get a job. I dropped in my resume in six to seven schools and prayed for a school where I could get Kosen Rufu training and manifest my potential as a teacher.
However, I could not get through the first interview but was still happy, as I had conquered yet another weakness of mine – hesitation and fear.
Few days later, I received an interview call from B.M.V.B School. I cleared both the written exam and the interview out of 20 candidates. My late grandfather had been the Chairman of the school many years back in 1980s. This bothered me as I felt the job was offered to me as a tribute to my grandfather. So, I gathered courage and inquired them about my selection. I was told that the Principal who was unaware of the fact recommended me and I was selected based on interview. My happiness knew no bounds and I immediately accepted the job offer although the salary was very less, my being a fresher. Ikeda Sensei says, “To slack off at work just because one’s salary isn’t high is foolish”
They promised me an increment in the next session depending on my performance. In my heart, I knew that I landed up in the place of my mission. On 30th June 2007, I was introduced to the staff members in the monthly staff meeting. The director of the school addressed me as a very confident teacher and a lady of great self-esteem. It was a great moment for me as I brought glory to my parents and Sensei.
My B.ed result was declared in August 2007. To my surprise I cleared all papers and scored 74%, the highest percentage that I have ever scored. I have now completed a year in the school.
By basing my struggle on faith, I have relieved both conspicuous and inconspicuous benefits. I thank and appreciate the Gohonzon for immense compassion.
My Determination:
I will make a great vow in the same spirit as my mentor
I will strive hard so that chanting daimoku and sharing Buddhism becomes my second nature.
I will become an educationist like Makiguchi Sensei.
By July 3rd 2008 my salary will be more than double
I will report victory to Sensei and share my experience YWD AGM
By 16th September ’08 I will chant 1 million daimoku and change my family’s karma by one eighty degree.
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