Becoming the Beacon of Hope for the Nation
Martinos Gryparis
Greece
In the wonderful poem, “Shine Triumphantly as Suns of Courage!” written by SGI President Ikeda, a passage wrote:
My Soka Men!
When you alone stand up
From that moment
Dawn begins.
This testimonial shares how I actualized this poem.
Early 2012, after attending SGI-Europe Training Course, I returned to my country armed with strong resolve. With lots of daimoku, I felt my life condition being elevated. But almost immediately, I met with harsh trials especially on my job.
I was a salesman working in Greece’s oldest Orthopedics equipment company. The company’s first quarter’s performance was a disappointment. Even though I worked diligently and achieved 98% of my personal sales target, I was not given any bonus. In fact, the company was facing a huge crisis, leading to a significant reduction in my income. Instead of conceding defeat, I chanted daimoku to challenge it.
The stress level at work was unbearable. Adding further to the tension and uneasiness, two staffs from another store were retrenched. Being the store supervisor, I had to put in even more effort as the newly hired employees required additional training.
Beside this, the new house that my wife and I shifted into a few months ago started to surface serious issues. By mid of 2012, the whole situation hit rock bottom. My health had also deteriorated to a critical condition. Stress from work, housing and finance drove me to the brim. Our wages were always late. At times, we were not even certain if we were going to be paid.
The first half of that year, I set targets for both my job and SGI activities. Never in my life have I ever made such strong resolve to share the philosophy of Nichiren Buddhism with at least two people. Meanwhile, through my own human revolution, I wanted to fundamentally change my life.
During this period, I shared Buddhism with a new colleague and we became good friends. I supported him wholeheartedly despite feeling exhausted at times myself.
As this “cold winter” continued endlessly, I could not help losing hope, although a second friend started chanting.
My personal trial escalated together with Greece’s crisis, reaching its peak. Refusing to admit defeat, I offered sincere prayers everyday for the nation and for my own happiness and victory. I was still facing tremendous difficulties - life is still in destitute and my job was still a huge challenge. Furthermore, due to my neighbor’s criminal behavior, my wife and I had no choice but to shift out of our house.
This is a tough battle. It is either win or lose!
As what President Ikeda taught, “In reality, everyone is battling against uncertainty. Seeds of happiness will only sprout when you are determined and never give up.”
During a large scale meeting in Greece, I vowed in front of the audience to turn my anxiety and uncertainty about the future into concrete actions, transforming the future and achieving true happiness.
Summer in Athens is hot and unbearable. But I could only leave for three days to recuperate and rest my body. Through the power of daimoku chanted with strong resolve, my wife and I found a better and cheaper accommodation. Now, we can even hold regular gatherings at home. With the warm support of my family and friends, I started to feel better. I was not defeated! I will not give up!
But the real transformation only started in the second half of 2012. I was determined then, that no matter how much obstacles I faced, I will devote myself wholeheartedly to the new district’s activities. I participated actively in even more activities.
In the monthly discussion meeting, a district leader shared her experience. Through her determination to align her goal in life with Kosen-rufu activities, she overcame all her immense obstacles.
Encouraged by her experience, I challenged myself to participate in every activity. I even joined the newly established “Leonidas Group” (“Leonidas” is a greek word which means “Lion”). The purpose of the group was to protect and safeguard all existing and future Greece SGI Culture Centers and members.
Infinite joy started to well-forth from the depths of my life. Meanwhile, my company’s situation transformed completely. A young male colleague who just joined the company also started to practice Buddhism with me.
In mid-October, my colleague and I discovered that a new staff from the company’s second branch embezzled huge sums of money. This colleague, who was in charge of the branch and the new staff, told me that our company’s situation was critical and was facing liquidity issues. Since he had decided to quit this job and to start his own business, he decided against taking action on the new staff who misappropriated funds.
Things are more than what meets the eye. This new staff was in conspiracy with the lady boss, making use of the company’s existing establishment and clientele base to establish his own business.
In addition, this colleague told me that my boss planned to retrench me next summer. This news was indeed shocking especially after having a few honest and open dialogues with my boss previously. Due to the support given by me over the past half a year and having witnessed how hard I fought, this colleague tried to explain our boss about my situation and even put in good words for me. He was even prepared to quit and leave the company if I was going to be fired.
This colleague, like many others in the company, often listens to my encouragement. He refused to inform our boss about the incident on the embezzlement of funds as he was afraid that this would expose his intention of setting up his own business. At the same time, he was also reluctant to help a boss who made him suffered. In the year 2012, our boss said neither words of compliments nor appreciation to any staff.
I took this opportunity to share the Gosho that Daishonin gave Shijo Kingo. At that time, Shijo Kingo’s lord was also unreasonable towards Shijo Kingo. Daishonin wrote: “Regard your service to your lord as the practice of the Lotus Sutra.” [Reply to a believer, WND1, p.905] I explained to him that despite facing extremely harsh environment, I am still able to feel joyous and a sense of fulfillment while steadily advancing ahead.
Eventually, I managed to convince him to tell the boss the truth. As expected, the new staff from the second branch was immediately fired.
Despite what he did, I still feel sad for this young man. I ever shared Buddhism with him as he seems lost for direction and needed help. Coincidentally, the period he was fired, a thief broke into his house and stole all his belongings. A month before he was laid off, I had ever chanted for his happiness and invited him to a friendship meeting.
From September to November, there was a sudden surge in our company’s sales from unexpected source, stabilizing the company’s cash flow issues. This is also the time where similar businesses shut down one by one. I strongly believe all these were results of my strong prayers, propagation effort and support in discussion meetings.
Sales in the last 2 months of 2012 not only recuperated the losses made for the entire year, but pushed profits up exceeding the previous year’s profit
I was assigned new duties in my company including supporting the logistic department, expansion of web and also the expansion of international business. However, the biggest actual proof I have gotten from my dedication for Kosen-rufu appeared on November 16th 2012. My boss paid me the total sum of my accrued salary!
Several months ago, my boss wanted to retrench me but now I was given a pay increment of 15%. Many had been praising me in front of him. My colleague clearly expressed to him that if it was not for me, he would have lost the second branch. My boss expressed his appreciation and gratitude towards me and promised to raise my salary again in the near future.
One of the new business deal established by me had the potential to help company increase its sales volume by three-fold within the next two years. Recently, my boss decided to reward me a certain percentage of the company profit as a bonus. At the same time, my company was also able to give all the staff their full salary. This was also one of my prayers. In fact, this payment includes amounts that were owed to them 2 to 3 years ago.
I wrote a victory report to President Ikeda. In response to SGI-Europe’s “My actual proof campaign”, I vowed to report to my mentor all the victories in different aspects of my life while joyously challenging myself further. I will strive to become a joyous and determined person who puts others be at ease while bringing hope and conviction to them. I will strive to be someone that others can look up upon.
[Source: Cosmic, October 2013]
Translation Disclaimer: The original testimonial is in the Chinese Language. It has been translated to the English Language for our readers’ convenience. Reasonable efforts have been made to provide an accurate translation, however the editorial team acknowledged that the translation may not be perfect to the author’s original and seeks our readers understanding. Please note that all guidance and quotes are loosely translated.
(编辑注释: 以上是中英翻译,原版如下.)
成为国家的希望灯塔
马蒂诺 格莱帕里斯
希腊
池田SGI会长在他那美妙的诗篇 《勇气的太阳哟,照耀胜利之光》中写道:
我创价的男儿啊!
你一个人站起来
就从那里
开始苏生的黎明。
我的体验就是要诉说我如何将这段诗句活用于生活上。
2012年初,我参加了欧洲研修会,带着高昂的意志回国,凭着大量的题目,我自觉境涯提高了。可是,我立刻遇到严峻的考验,特别在工作方面。我是个销售员,在希腊历史最悠久的骨科仪器用品公司工作。
公司首季业绩令人大失所望。虽然我勤勤恳恳、努力不懈,并已达成自己销售目标的98%,但老板并没有给我丁点花红。事实上,公司面临重大危机,导致我的收入大幅减少。我怀着绝不服输的精神唱题挑战。
压力大得难以承受。另一分店的两名员工被开除,令公司内的紧张、压力和不安更加升温。身为店铺主管更要费尽心力,因为公司新招聘的员工需要更多培训。
除此,我和妻子数个月前才搬进去的房子开始出现一些严重的问题。2012年中,情况跌至谷底,而我的健康亦越益恶化,到了非常危险的地步。来自工作、住屋和金钱等重重压力,使我濒临崩溃。我们经常很迟才收到工资,有时候,甚至不知道能否得到。
那一年的上半年,我已为工作和SGI活动设定种种目标,平生立下如此巨大的决心,要跟最少两个人分享日莲佛法的哲学,同时还要透过人间革命,彻底变革自己的生命。
那时我已跟一位新同事分享佛法,与他成为好友。我全心全意支持他,尽管有时我自己也感到筋疲力尽。
看着这个"寒冬"不断延续下去,我越来越失望,虽然那时候我的第二位朋友也开始唱题。
但我个人的危机,伴随着希腊的社会危机,一并到达顶峰。虽然我每天唱题时都诚心为国家祈求、为长久的幸福和胜利祈求,但除了绝不服输的决心之外,我便一无所有。我依旧陷于各种困难之中,生活仍然穷困,工作仍然面对巨大问题。因为邻居的犯罪行为,我与妻子只好搬迁。
我知道这是一场硬仗:不是赢就是输!
正如池田会长教导:"在现实生活中,所有人都要跟不安搏斗,幸福的种子只会在你坚强和永不放弃时才会萌芽。"
在希腊一个大会上,我在众人面前决意,要将对未来的焦虑和不安,转化为眼前一步一步的行动,奋力扭转未来,获得真正幸福。
夏天的雅典热得难受,但我只能离开三天,我实在需要休养调息。通过齐心唱题, 我与妻子终能觅得一个比之前更好多、更便宜的新居所。现在我们能在家里定期举行聚会。得到家人和身边人的温暖支持,我开始感到好多了。我没有被打垮! 我绝不会放弃!
但真正的改变在2012年后半才出现。那时我决心不论生活上有任何阻挠,也要全身投入新的地区活动。我积极参与更多活动。在每月座谈会上,一位地区负责人分享了她的体验,她是透过决心将人生和目标配合广宣流布活动而克服了巨大的问题。
受到她的鼓舞,我尽可能投入每一项活动,亦加入新成立的狮子组(Leonidas Group,"Leonidas" 是希腊语,"狮子般"的意思),专责维护和保护希腊SGI会馆和前来会馆的会员。
我开始感到无限的喜悦从生命涌现,与此同时,公司的情况也彻底改变,有新的年轻男士加入,还开始与我一同修行佛法。
10月中,我和同事兼朋友发现公司第二分店的新员工偷取了公司大量资金。
同事是负责那间分店和那位新员工的。然而,他告诉我,公司情况极度恶劣,又缺乏资金,他己打算辞职,开展自己的事业,所以不打算向那亏空公款的员工采取任何行动。
然而,事实原来不只如此,这分店员工正与女业主密谋鹊巢鸠占,以便在这个铺位创立自己的生意,利用公司的客源谋取私利。
同事更告诉我,老板原本准备在夏天开除我。此事令我十分震惊,因为我之前曾多次与老板坦诚对话。由于我在上半年曾大力支援这位同事,而他也亲眼目睹我如何奋斗,他曾向老板解释我的状况,为我说尽好话,甚至如果我被开除,他也准备离开公司。
这位同事,就像公司其他人样,常常来听取我的鼓励。他坚拒告知老板第二分店员工的事,害怕这样做会揭穿他自设新公司的想法;同时他也很愤怒,他不想帮一个曾令他受苦的老板。2012年里,老板对我们所有员工都没说过半句欣赏与感澈的话。
我利用这次机会向他讲解大圣人给弟子四条金吾的教导,当时金吾的主君也以类似的无理态度对待四条金吾。大圣人写道:"须思奉公即是法华经之修行。" (《复檀越某书》,御书1354页)我也向他解释,即使面对极为严酷的环境,我仍能感到喜悦和满足,踏实地前进。
就是这样,我终能说服他向老板道出实情。一如所料,老板立即开除第二分店那名员工。
即使做出这种事,我仍为这位年轻人感到难过。我之前曾跟他分享佛法,因为他看来迷失方向,并需要帮助。在他被开除的同时,小偷闯进他家偷走了所有东西。他被解雇前的一个月,我曾为他的幸福唱题,并邀请他出席新朋友会。
在9 、1 0 、11月,生意开始从意想不到的源头涌进公司,令公司重新拥有稳定的流动现金。这正是其他行家一间接一间倒闭的时候。我确信,这是透过我强盛的祈求、佛法对话的努力,以及全力支持座谈会得到的成果。
2012年最后两个月的生意额不但填补了一整年的所有亏损,收入更把利润推高,业绩犹胜去年!
我在公司负责新的职务,包括参与后勤部门的支援工作、处理网上推广和拓展国际业务。不过,挚诚和努力投身广布运动的最大现证出现于2012年11月16日,老板发给我全额的工资!
老板数个月前还想开除我,现竟将我的工资调升15% 。很多人都向他称赞我; 同事也清楚向老板表明,如果不是因为我,他早已失去第二间店铺。老板对我表示欣赏和感激,更承诺不久将来再为我加薪。
其中一个由我新成立的业务交易将大有作为,能令公司在两年内增加三倍营业额。老板最近决定给我公司盈利的某个百分比作花红。同时,公司还能发给所有员工全额的工资,这亦是我的祈求目标之一。事实上,这笔工资还包括两三年前拖欠的款额呢!
我写信向池田先生作胜利报告。为响应欧洲SGI "我的现证运动" ,我决意向师匠报告我人生各个方面的更多胜利,喜悦地向自己挑战。我会努力成为一个胸怀喜悦而意志坚定的人、能令他人安心的人、能为他人发放希望与确信的人,以及一个让别人仰慕的人。
[宇宙月刊,2013年10月号]
Martinos Gryparis
Greece
In the wonderful poem, “Shine Triumphantly as Suns of Courage!” written by SGI President Ikeda, a passage wrote:
My Soka Men!
When you alone stand up
From that moment
Dawn begins.
This testimonial shares how I actualized this poem.
Early 2012, after attending SGI-Europe Training Course, I returned to my country armed with strong resolve. With lots of daimoku, I felt my life condition being elevated. But almost immediately, I met with harsh trials especially on my job.
I was a salesman working in Greece’s oldest Orthopedics equipment company. The company’s first quarter’s performance was a disappointment. Even though I worked diligently and achieved 98% of my personal sales target, I was not given any bonus. In fact, the company was facing a huge crisis, leading to a significant reduction in my income. Instead of conceding defeat, I chanted daimoku to challenge it.
The stress level at work was unbearable. Adding further to the tension and uneasiness, two staffs from another store were retrenched. Being the store supervisor, I had to put in even more effort as the newly hired employees required additional training.
Beside this, the new house that my wife and I shifted into a few months ago started to surface serious issues. By mid of 2012, the whole situation hit rock bottom. My health had also deteriorated to a critical condition. Stress from work, housing and finance drove me to the brim. Our wages were always late. At times, we were not even certain if we were going to be paid.
The first half of that year, I set targets for both my job and SGI activities. Never in my life have I ever made such strong resolve to share the philosophy of Nichiren Buddhism with at least two people. Meanwhile, through my own human revolution, I wanted to fundamentally change my life.
During this period, I shared Buddhism with a new colleague and we became good friends. I supported him wholeheartedly despite feeling exhausted at times myself.
As this “cold winter” continued endlessly, I could not help losing hope, although a second friend started chanting.
My personal trial escalated together with Greece’s crisis, reaching its peak. Refusing to admit defeat, I offered sincere prayers everyday for the nation and for my own happiness and victory. I was still facing tremendous difficulties - life is still in destitute and my job was still a huge challenge. Furthermore, due to my neighbor’s criminal behavior, my wife and I had no choice but to shift out of our house.
This is a tough battle. It is either win or lose!
As what President Ikeda taught, “In reality, everyone is battling against uncertainty. Seeds of happiness will only sprout when you are determined and never give up.”
During a large scale meeting in Greece, I vowed in front of the audience to turn my anxiety and uncertainty about the future into concrete actions, transforming the future and achieving true happiness.
Summer in Athens is hot and unbearable. But I could only leave for three days to recuperate and rest my body. Through the power of daimoku chanted with strong resolve, my wife and I found a better and cheaper accommodation. Now, we can even hold regular gatherings at home. With the warm support of my family and friends, I started to feel better. I was not defeated! I will not give up!
But the real transformation only started in the second half of 2012. I was determined then, that no matter how much obstacles I faced, I will devote myself wholeheartedly to the new district’s activities. I participated actively in even more activities.
In the monthly discussion meeting, a district leader shared her experience. Through her determination to align her goal in life with Kosen-rufu activities, she overcame all her immense obstacles.
Encouraged by her experience, I challenged myself to participate in every activity. I even joined the newly established “Leonidas Group” (“Leonidas” is a greek word which means “Lion”). The purpose of the group was to protect and safeguard all existing and future Greece SGI Culture Centers and members.
Infinite joy started to well-forth from the depths of my life. Meanwhile, my company’s situation transformed completely. A young male colleague who just joined the company also started to practice Buddhism with me.
In mid-October, my colleague and I discovered that a new staff from the company’s second branch embezzled huge sums of money. This colleague, who was in charge of the branch and the new staff, told me that our company’s situation was critical and was facing liquidity issues. Since he had decided to quit this job and to start his own business, he decided against taking action on the new staff who misappropriated funds.
Things are more than what meets the eye. This new staff was in conspiracy with the lady boss, making use of the company’s existing establishment and clientele base to establish his own business.
In addition, this colleague told me that my boss planned to retrench me next summer. This news was indeed shocking especially after having a few honest and open dialogues with my boss previously. Due to the support given by me over the past half a year and having witnessed how hard I fought, this colleague tried to explain our boss about my situation and even put in good words for me. He was even prepared to quit and leave the company if I was going to be fired.
This colleague, like many others in the company, often listens to my encouragement. He refused to inform our boss about the incident on the embezzlement of funds as he was afraid that this would expose his intention of setting up his own business. At the same time, he was also reluctant to help a boss who made him suffered. In the year 2012, our boss said neither words of compliments nor appreciation to any staff.
I took this opportunity to share the Gosho that Daishonin gave Shijo Kingo. At that time, Shijo Kingo’s lord was also unreasonable towards Shijo Kingo. Daishonin wrote: “Regard your service to your lord as the practice of the Lotus Sutra.” [Reply to a believer, WND1, p.905] I explained to him that despite facing extremely harsh environment, I am still able to feel joyous and a sense of fulfillment while steadily advancing ahead.
Eventually, I managed to convince him to tell the boss the truth. As expected, the new staff from the second branch was immediately fired.
Despite what he did, I still feel sad for this young man. I ever shared Buddhism with him as he seems lost for direction and needed help. Coincidentally, the period he was fired, a thief broke into his house and stole all his belongings. A month before he was laid off, I had ever chanted for his happiness and invited him to a friendship meeting.
From September to November, there was a sudden surge in our company’s sales from unexpected source, stabilizing the company’s cash flow issues. This is also the time where similar businesses shut down one by one. I strongly believe all these were results of my strong prayers, propagation effort and support in discussion meetings.
Sales in the last 2 months of 2012 not only recuperated the losses made for the entire year, but pushed profits up exceeding the previous year’s profit
I was assigned new duties in my company including supporting the logistic department, expansion of web and also the expansion of international business. However, the biggest actual proof I have gotten from my dedication for Kosen-rufu appeared on November 16th 2012. My boss paid me the total sum of my accrued salary!
Several months ago, my boss wanted to retrench me but now I was given a pay increment of 15%. Many had been praising me in front of him. My colleague clearly expressed to him that if it was not for me, he would have lost the second branch. My boss expressed his appreciation and gratitude towards me and promised to raise my salary again in the near future.
One of the new business deal established by me had the potential to help company increase its sales volume by three-fold within the next two years. Recently, my boss decided to reward me a certain percentage of the company profit as a bonus. At the same time, my company was also able to give all the staff their full salary. This was also one of my prayers. In fact, this payment includes amounts that were owed to them 2 to 3 years ago.
I wrote a victory report to President Ikeda. In response to SGI-Europe’s “My actual proof campaign”, I vowed to report to my mentor all the victories in different aspects of my life while joyously challenging myself further. I will strive to become a joyous and determined person who puts others be at ease while bringing hope and conviction to them. I will strive to be someone that others can look up upon.
[Source: Cosmic, October 2013]
Translation Disclaimer: The original testimonial is in the Chinese Language. It has been translated to the English Language for our readers’ convenience. Reasonable efforts have been made to provide an accurate translation, however the editorial team acknowledged that the translation may not be perfect to the author’s original and seeks our readers understanding. Please note that all guidance and quotes are loosely translated.
(编辑注释: 以上是中英翻译,原版如下.)
成为国家的希望灯塔
马蒂诺 格莱帕里斯
希腊
池田SGI会长在他那美妙的诗篇 《勇气的太阳哟,照耀胜利之光》中写道:
我创价的男儿啊!
你一个人站起来
就从那里
开始苏生的黎明。
我的体验就是要诉说我如何将这段诗句活用于生活上。
2012年初,我参加了欧洲研修会,带着高昂的意志回国,凭着大量的题目,我自觉境涯提高了。可是,我立刻遇到严峻的考验,特别在工作方面。我是个销售员,在希腊历史最悠久的骨科仪器用品公司工作。
公司首季业绩令人大失所望。虽然我勤勤恳恳、努力不懈,并已达成自己销售目标的98%,但老板并没有给我丁点花红。事实上,公司面临重大危机,导致我的收入大幅减少。我怀着绝不服输的精神唱题挑战。
压力大得难以承受。另一分店的两名员工被开除,令公司内的紧张、压力和不安更加升温。身为店铺主管更要费尽心力,因为公司新招聘的员工需要更多培训。
除此,我和妻子数个月前才搬进去的房子开始出现一些严重的问题。2012年中,情况跌至谷底,而我的健康亦越益恶化,到了非常危险的地步。来自工作、住屋和金钱等重重压力,使我濒临崩溃。我们经常很迟才收到工资,有时候,甚至不知道能否得到。
那一年的上半年,我已为工作和SGI活动设定种种目标,平生立下如此巨大的决心,要跟最少两个人分享日莲佛法的哲学,同时还要透过人间革命,彻底变革自己的生命。
那时我已跟一位新同事分享佛法,与他成为好友。我全心全意支持他,尽管有时我自己也感到筋疲力尽。
看着这个"寒冬"不断延续下去,我越来越失望,虽然那时候我的第二位朋友也开始唱题。
但我个人的危机,伴随着希腊的社会危机,一并到达顶峰。虽然我每天唱题时都诚心为国家祈求、为长久的幸福和胜利祈求,但除了绝不服输的决心之外,我便一无所有。我依旧陷于各种困难之中,生活仍然穷困,工作仍然面对巨大问题。因为邻居的犯罪行为,我与妻子只好搬迁。
我知道这是一场硬仗:不是赢就是输!
正如池田会长教导:"在现实生活中,所有人都要跟不安搏斗,幸福的种子只会在你坚强和永不放弃时才会萌芽。"
在希腊一个大会上,我在众人面前决意,要将对未来的焦虑和不安,转化为眼前一步一步的行动,奋力扭转未来,获得真正幸福。
夏天的雅典热得难受,但我只能离开三天,我实在需要休养调息。通过齐心唱题, 我与妻子终能觅得一个比之前更好多、更便宜的新居所。现在我们能在家里定期举行聚会。得到家人和身边人的温暖支持,我开始感到好多了。我没有被打垮! 我绝不会放弃!
但真正的改变在2012年后半才出现。那时我决心不论生活上有任何阻挠,也要全身投入新的地区活动。我积极参与更多活动。在每月座谈会上,一位地区负责人分享了她的体验,她是透过决心将人生和目标配合广宣流布活动而克服了巨大的问题。
受到她的鼓舞,我尽可能投入每一项活动,亦加入新成立的狮子组(Leonidas Group,"Leonidas" 是希腊语,"狮子般"的意思),专责维护和保护希腊SGI会馆和前来会馆的会员。
我开始感到无限的喜悦从生命涌现,与此同时,公司的情况也彻底改变,有新的年轻男士加入,还开始与我一同修行佛法。
10月中,我和同事兼朋友发现公司第二分店的新员工偷取了公司大量资金。
同事是负责那间分店和那位新员工的。然而,他告诉我,公司情况极度恶劣,又缺乏资金,他己打算辞职,开展自己的事业,所以不打算向那亏空公款的员工采取任何行动。
然而,事实原来不只如此,这分店员工正与女业主密谋鹊巢鸠占,以便在这个铺位创立自己的生意,利用公司的客源谋取私利。
同事更告诉我,老板原本准备在夏天开除我。此事令我十分震惊,因为我之前曾多次与老板坦诚对话。由于我在上半年曾大力支援这位同事,而他也亲眼目睹我如何奋斗,他曾向老板解释我的状况,为我说尽好话,甚至如果我被开除,他也准备离开公司。
这位同事,就像公司其他人样,常常来听取我的鼓励。他坚拒告知老板第二分店员工的事,害怕这样做会揭穿他自设新公司的想法;同时他也很愤怒,他不想帮一个曾令他受苦的老板。2012年里,老板对我们所有员工都没说过半句欣赏与感澈的话。
我利用这次机会向他讲解大圣人给弟子四条金吾的教导,当时金吾的主君也以类似的无理态度对待四条金吾。大圣人写道:"须思奉公即是法华经之修行。" (《复檀越某书》,御书1354页)我也向他解释,即使面对极为严酷的环境,我仍能感到喜悦和满足,踏实地前进。
就是这样,我终能说服他向老板道出实情。一如所料,老板立即开除第二分店那名员工。
即使做出这种事,我仍为这位年轻人感到难过。我之前曾跟他分享佛法,因为他看来迷失方向,并需要帮助。在他被开除的同时,小偷闯进他家偷走了所有东西。他被解雇前的一个月,我曾为他的幸福唱题,并邀请他出席新朋友会。
在9 、1 0 、11月,生意开始从意想不到的源头涌进公司,令公司重新拥有稳定的流动现金。这正是其他行家一间接一间倒闭的时候。我确信,这是透过我强盛的祈求、佛法对话的努力,以及全力支持座谈会得到的成果。
2012年最后两个月的生意额不但填补了一整年的所有亏损,收入更把利润推高,业绩犹胜去年!
我在公司负责新的职务,包括参与后勤部门的支援工作、处理网上推广和拓展国际业务。不过,挚诚和努力投身广布运动的最大现证出现于2012年11月16日,老板发给我全额的工资!
老板数个月前还想开除我,现竟将我的工资调升15% 。很多人都向他称赞我; 同事也清楚向老板表明,如果不是因为我,他早已失去第二间店铺。老板对我表示欣赏和感激,更承诺不久将来再为我加薪。
其中一个由我新成立的业务交易将大有作为,能令公司在两年内增加三倍营业额。老板最近决定给我公司盈利的某个百分比作花红。同时,公司还能发给所有员工全额的工资,这亦是我的祈求目标之一。事实上,这笔工资还包括两三年前拖欠的款额呢!
我写信向池田先生作胜利报告。为响应欧洲SGI "我的现证运动" ,我决意向师匠报告我人生各个方面的更多胜利,喜悦地向自己挑战。我会努力成为一个胸怀喜悦而意志坚定的人、能令他人安心的人、能为他人发放希望与确信的人,以及一个让别人仰慕的人。
[宇宙月刊,2013年10月号]