Growing Up Through the Bonds of Encouragement
Nakajima Kazue
Japan
When I was young, I suffered from rheumatism while my sister also suffered from a rare and difficult to cure illness, diabetes insipidus. All the three sisters in my family each saddled with great mission in our life.
And because my mum was always troubling about our illness, she joined the Soka Gakkai.
After joining, my mum started to participate in the organization activities earnestly. Not long after, our illness started to recover rapidly and unknowingly, all the 3 of us got well. So because of this, the 3 of us already had believed in the Mystic Law even though we are very young.
However, our family still had a bigger concern that was our father. My father was an alcoholic and strongly objected to our practice. Sometimes after we got home from our activities, we got locked out by our father and ended up sleeping in the storeroom. After I reach my puberty, I started to hate my father and the hatred increases day by day.
Not long after, I went to Tokyo to study University and I took the evening classes. From then on, I would work in the day and at night I would either attend class or I would join organization activities. During that time, I was very fortunate to be able to attend a YWD activities with Ikeda Sensei present and the guidance he gave was one that I would never forget for the rest of my life.
Ikeda Sensei shared about the story of the dragon’s daughter in the Lotus Sutra and he spoke about how both father and son can attain Buddhahood together. He said: “The Dragon daughter attain Buddhahood first followed by the father, the Dragon King. It is not the other way around where the father attain first followed by the daughter.”
After listening to Sensei’s guidance, an idea sprung up deep inside of me: “Instead of having hatred towards my father, why not, I strive even harder and let my father change!” The long term of having hatred towards my father, was like mud smearing my heart, disappeared instantly.
I started to write letters diligently to my dad, extending my greetings to him. Whenever I returned to my home, I would try my very best to find every chance to chit chat with my father about the family.
Not long after, I got married to my husband who I met during my active period when I was still in Tokyo YWD. In 1988, my husband and I brought our 2 young children back to my husband’s hometown, Fukushima.
Grief of losing my husband
In May 1997, my husband met with an accident in the factory his was working. He was hit by a speeding Fork lift and by the time I arrived, he was already unconscious. My husband died from the accident and at that time he was only 46 years old.
Even though I was grieving and it was so painful for losing him. I also manifested even strong determination: “I will never lose to my karma!” At that time, my 3 sons studied in Secondary 1, Primary 5 and 3. I vowed that no matter what, together with my husband’s part, I will raise them up with all my heart. And not forgetting, during this period of time, I had all the warm encouragement from my comrade backing me up, it was totally indescribable.
That year that my husband died, I was appointed as Prefecture WD leader, I am responsible for a region that was approximately 40 mins car ride from my house. Usually after my day activities ended, I would go back home and prepare dinner. I would wait for my children to return from school and then I would head to the region I am responsible for, for my activities.
But no matter how much effort I put in for them, these 3 upright adolescences still felt very lonely and from that time on, all 3 of them stopped doing their gongyo and daimoku.
During this period of time, after my sons leave their practice, I was very frustrated. Lucky all 3 of them received a lot of encouragement during their encouragement bonds in Soka Gakkai and they slowly returned back to faith again.
Back to the correct path
For instance, my 2nd son who got into Tokai University, told me before he went to Tokyo: “Even if I die, I will never take up faith!” Fortunately, when he was in Tokyo, he met many outstanding Soka members and started to join activities again and during his university days, he even shakubuku 2 friends.
When my 3rd son was studying in high school 2nd year, he was invited to visit in Soka University Open house. During the Open house, he heard the remarks from a student who was from Soka University America and was deeply impressed. The moment he got home, he kept dreaming about going to Soka University America. Despite in the past, his dreams was to go Universities in Japan.
I was surprised by his determination. Thus, I chanted earnestly to give the best arrangement for my 3rd son. At that time, Fukushima Assistant WD Chief’s son, who was 1 year older than my 3rd son, already received notification from Soka University America. Coincidentally, he came back home for a visit and I took this chance to let my son learn from him on how to get into the Soka University America.
It was said that the senior not only gave suggestions on his learning curve, he also told my 3rd son: “What matter most is to chant and pray earnestly!” From that day onwards, my 3rd son chanted at least an hour and he study very hard. In the end, he got his dream came true, he got into Soka University America.
There was a period where my 3rd son totally abandoned his faith but right now, he is even a chapter in-charge in America SGI University. For me, all this was like dreaming.
Recently, my husband’s good friend told me: “It seems like whatever your husband wishes to do, have all been accomplished by the 3 sons!” I suddenly discovered, everything was exactly as what he said.
My husband love nature, my eldest son attended Dairy Farming University and probably to succeed his hobby.
My 2nd son did the research of human and beetles environment (Insect) during his university. During my husband’s youth, he was once a drummer in a band and coincidentally, outside of his working hours, my eldest son also joined a band and become a drummer.
After studying very hard, my husband made it into university too but for some reason, he had to discontinue his study. All this while, he had always wanted to finish his university. Even before he passed away, he was still attending open courses in Soka University. It was as if all my 3 sons grew all the way up by following their father’s footsteps. I believe all these were my deceased husband driving them.
Ikeda Sensei had this guidance for Fukushima, a passage that is based on talents: “The treasure mountain of talented people, ‘talent Switzerland’ of Mystic Law.|” Indeed, everytime I go all over the prefecture, I deeply felt that there were a lot of talented people all over.
I also vowed with my 3 son to strive to the end in our various stage for Kosen-rufu, building an even more abundance of Fukushima’s ‘treasure mountain of talented people’.
(Translated from ‘lighthouse’ January 2011, Author Nakajima Kazue, Fukushima central WD prefecture chief)
(Jiao Xue Yan Xi, November 2012)
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.)
在鼓勵的繫絆中成長
中島和江
日本
我小時候就為風溼痛所苦,姊姊也罹患罕見難治的尿崩症,我們家三姊妹都各自背負著重大的宿命。
母親加入創價學會,就是因為煩惱我們姊妹生病的事。
入會後,母親開始認真參加學會活動。不久,我們姊妹的病情快速好轉,在不自覺中痊癒了。因此,年紀雖小的我們對妙法有了確信。
不過,我家還有一個更大的煩惱,那就是我父親。他不僅酗酒,且強烈反對信仰。我們有時活動結束回到家,被父親鎖在門外,只好睡在倉庫。進入青春期後,我對父親的怨恨與日俱增。
後來,我到東京讀大學夜間部,從此過著白天工作,晚上上學或參加學會活動的日子。就在那時,有幸參加池田先生蒞臨的女子部活動,聽到永生難忘的指導。
池田先生透過法華經龍女的故事,談到有關父子一體成佛的事,他說:「龍女成佛,父親龍王才能成佛,並不是龍王成佛後龍女才成佛的。」
聽完先生的指導,內心湧現一個想法:「與其怨恨父親,不如我自己努力奮鬥,讓父親改變!」長期怨恨父親如污泥般的心,瞬間消失。
我開始用心寫信問候父親;回到老家時,盡量找機會和父親話家常。由於我的改變,父親的態度也逐漸軟化,不再堅持反對信心。
之後,我和在東京女子部活動時認識的外子結婚。一九八八年,帶著兩個年幼孩子回到外子的故鄉—福島。
喪夫之慟
一九九七年五月,外子在工廠被疾馳而來的堆高機撞倒,當我趕到時,他已無法言語。這場意外,讓年僅四十六歲的外子突然離開人世。
雖然哀痛至切,但也湧現更勝以往的決心:「絕不敗給宿命!」當時三個兒子分別就讀國一、小五與小三,我決意無論如何也要連同外子那份,盡心養育他們長大。當然,在這背後還有學會同志們的溫暖鼓勵,用筆墨難以形容。
外子去世那年,我被任命為圈婦人部長,負責投入離家約四十分鐘車程的地區。平常,白天活動結束後,我一定回家準備晚餐,等孩子們放學回來後,再次前往負責的地區活動。
但不管我再怎麼努力,三個正值青春期的孩子還是感到孤單,大約從那時起,即不約而同地不做勤行、唱題了。
孩子們離開信心這段期間,我非常煩惱,幸好他們三人在創價學會「鼓勵的繫絆」中受到諸多鼓勵,才又漸漸回到信心的軌道。
回到正確的軌道
例如,考上東海大學的次子阿悛,上東京前信誓旦旦地對我說:「就算死了也不要信心!」但他在東京認識許多優秀的學會員後又開始參加活動,在大學時期還折伏兩位朋友入信。
老三阿克讀高二時,受邀參加創價大學校園開放參觀活動,聽到美國創價大學的學生的一番話後印象深刻,一回到家就說想就讀美國創價大學,儘管過去他的目標是日本國立大學。
他的決定讓我好驚訝,於是我認真祈求,對阿克最好的安排。那時,石橋昌女士<總福島婦人部長>的兒子是大阿克一年的學長,已接獲美國創大入學通知,因偶然回老家,所以我讓阿克請教他有關升學的問題。
據說那位學長除了給予種種學習方面的建議以外,還告訴阿克:「最重要的是認真唱題祈求!」從那天起,他每天唱題一小時以及用功讀書,終於如願考上美國創價大學。
曾有一段時間完全離開信心的阿克,如今在美國SGI大學部擔任支部負責人。對我而言,這一切有如作夢。
最近,外子的好友對我說:「看來,你老公想做的事,三個兒子都幫他實現了!」我才猛然發現,一切真如他所說。
外子喜愛大自然,長子阿格上酪農大學,或許就是繼承他的愛好。次子阿俊則在大學的人類環境系研究龍蝨(昆蟲)。長子在工作之餘參加樂團,擔任鼓手,巧的是外子年輕時也曾在樂團打鼓。
經過一番苦讀,好不容易考上大學的外子因故輟學後,一心想讀完大學,直到去世前還在創價大學上空大課程。兒子們彷彿追隨著父親的腳步,一路成長過來。我相信這都是亡夫在冥冥之中推動著他們。
池田先生對福島縣的指導,一貫以「人才」為主題:「人才的『寶山』、妙法的『人才瑞士』。」的確,每次投入縣內各地,我都深深感受到人才真的很多。
我也決意和三個兒子在各自廣布舞台盡情奮鬥到底,構築更豐富的福島「人才寶山」。
<摘譯自《燈塔》二〇一一年一月號,作者中島和江,福島中央總縣婦人部長>
[教學研習,2012年11月号]
Nakajima Kazue
Japan
When I was young, I suffered from rheumatism while my sister also suffered from a rare and difficult to cure illness, diabetes insipidus. All the three sisters in my family each saddled with great mission in our life.
And because my mum was always troubling about our illness, she joined the Soka Gakkai.
After joining, my mum started to participate in the organization activities earnestly. Not long after, our illness started to recover rapidly and unknowingly, all the 3 of us got well. So because of this, the 3 of us already had believed in the Mystic Law even though we are very young.
However, our family still had a bigger concern that was our father. My father was an alcoholic and strongly objected to our practice. Sometimes after we got home from our activities, we got locked out by our father and ended up sleeping in the storeroom. After I reach my puberty, I started to hate my father and the hatred increases day by day.
Not long after, I went to Tokyo to study University and I took the evening classes. From then on, I would work in the day and at night I would either attend class or I would join organization activities. During that time, I was very fortunate to be able to attend a YWD activities with Ikeda Sensei present and the guidance he gave was one that I would never forget for the rest of my life.
Ikeda Sensei shared about the story of the dragon’s daughter in the Lotus Sutra and he spoke about how both father and son can attain Buddhahood together. He said: “The Dragon daughter attain Buddhahood first followed by the father, the Dragon King. It is not the other way around where the father attain first followed by the daughter.”
After listening to Sensei’s guidance, an idea sprung up deep inside of me: “Instead of having hatred towards my father, why not, I strive even harder and let my father change!” The long term of having hatred towards my father, was like mud smearing my heart, disappeared instantly.
I started to write letters diligently to my dad, extending my greetings to him. Whenever I returned to my home, I would try my very best to find every chance to chit chat with my father about the family.
Not long after, I got married to my husband who I met during my active period when I was still in Tokyo YWD. In 1988, my husband and I brought our 2 young children back to my husband’s hometown, Fukushima.
Grief of losing my husband
In May 1997, my husband met with an accident in the factory his was working. He was hit by a speeding Fork lift and by the time I arrived, he was already unconscious. My husband died from the accident and at that time he was only 46 years old.
Even though I was grieving and it was so painful for losing him. I also manifested even strong determination: “I will never lose to my karma!” At that time, my 3 sons studied in Secondary 1, Primary 5 and 3. I vowed that no matter what, together with my husband’s part, I will raise them up with all my heart. And not forgetting, during this period of time, I had all the warm encouragement from my comrade backing me up, it was totally indescribable.
That year that my husband died, I was appointed as Prefecture WD leader, I am responsible for a region that was approximately 40 mins car ride from my house. Usually after my day activities ended, I would go back home and prepare dinner. I would wait for my children to return from school and then I would head to the region I am responsible for, for my activities.
But no matter how much effort I put in for them, these 3 upright adolescences still felt very lonely and from that time on, all 3 of them stopped doing their gongyo and daimoku.
During this period of time, after my sons leave their practice, I was very frustrated. Lucky all 3 of them received a lot of encouragement during their encouragement bonds in Soka Gakkai and they slowly returned back to faith again.
Back to the correct path
For instance, my 2nd son who got into Tokai University, told me before he went to Tokyo: “Even if I die, I will never take up faith!” Fortunately, when he was in Tokyo, he met many outstanding Soka members and started to join activities again and during his university days, he even shakubuku 2 friends.
When my 3rd son was studying in high school 2nd year, he was invited to visit in Soka University Open house. During the Open house, he heard the remarks from a student who was from Soka University America and was deeply impressed. The moment he got home, he kept dreaming about going to Soka University America. Despite in the past, his dreams was to go Universities in Japan.
I was surprised by his determination. Thus, I chanted earnestly to give the best arrangement for my 3rd son. At that time, Fukushima Assistant WD Chief’s son, who was 1 year older than my 3rd son, already received notification from Soka University America. Coincidentally, he came back home for a visit and I took this chance to let my son learn from him on how to get into the Soka University America.
It was said that the senior not only gave suggestions on his learning curve, he also told my 3rd son: “What matter most is to chant and pray earnestly!” From that day onwards, my 3rd son chanted at least an hour and he study very hard. In the end, he got his dream came true, he got into Soka University America.
There was a period where my 3rd son totally abandoned his faith but right now, he is even a chapter in-charge in America SGI University. For me, all this was like dreaming.
Recently, my husband’s good friend told me: “It seems like whatever your husband wishes to do, have all been accomplished by the 3 sons!” I suddenly discovered, everything was exactly as what he said.
My husband love nature, my eldest son attended Dairy Farming University and probably to succeed his hobby.
My 2nd son did the research of human and beetles environment (Insect) during his university. During my husband’s youth, he was once a drummer in a band and coincidentally, outside of his working hours, my eldest son also joined a band and become a drummer.
After studying very hard, my husband made it into university too but for some reason, he had to discontinue his study. All this while, he had always wanted to finish his university. Even before he passed away, he was still attending open courses in Soka University. It was as if all my 3 sons grew all the way up by following their father’s footsteps. I believe all these were my deceased husband driving them.
Ikeda Sensei had this guidance for Fukushima, a passage that is based on talents: “The treasure mountain of talented people, ‘talent Switzerland’ of Mystic Law.|” Indeed, everytime I go all over the prefecture, I deeply felt that there were a lot of talented people all over.
I also vowed with my 3 son to strive to the end in our various stage for Kosen-rufu, building an even more abundance of Fukushima’s ‘treasure mountain of talented people’.
(Translated from ‘lighthouse’ January 2011, Author Nakajima Kazue, Fukushima central WD prefecture chief)
(Jiao Xue Yan Xi, November 2012)
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.)
在鼓勵的繫絆中成長
中島和江
日本
我小時候就為風溼痛所苦,姊姊也罹患罕見難治的尿崩症,我們家三姊妹都各自背負著重大的宿命。
母親加入創價學會,就是因為煩惱我們姊妹生病的事。
入會後,母親開始認真參加學會活動。不久,我們姊妹的病情快速好轉,在不自覺中痊癒了。因此,年紀雖小的我們對妙法有了確信。
不過,我家還有一個更大的煩惱,那就是我父親。他不僅酗酒,且強烈反對信仰。我們有時活動結束回到家,被父親鎖在門外,只好睡在倉庫。進入青春期後,我對父親的怨恨與日俱增。
後來,我到東京讀大學夜間部,從此過著白天工作,晚上上學或參加學會活動的日子。就在那時,有幸參加池田先生蒞臨的女子部活動,聽到永生難忘的指導。
池田先生透過法華經龍女的故事,談到有關父子一體成佛的事,他說:「龍女成佛,父親龍王才能成佛,並不是龍王成佛後龍女才成佛的。」
聽完先生的指導,內心湧現一個想法:「與其怨恨父親,不如我自己努力奮鬥,讓父親改變!」長期怨恨父親如污泥般的心,瞬間消失。
我開始用心寫信問候父親;回到老家時,盡量找機會和父親話家常。由於我的改變,父親的態度也逐漸軟化,不再堅持反對信心。
之後,我和在東京女子部活動時認識的外子結婚。一九八八年,帶著兩個年幼孩子回到外子的故鄉—福島。
喪夫之慟
一九九七年五月,外子在工廠被疾馳而來的堆高機撞倒,當我趕到時,他已無法言語。這場意外,讓年僅四十六歲的外子突然離開人世。
雖然哀痛至切,但也湧現更勝以往的決心:「絕不敗給宿命!」當時三個兒子分別就讀國一、小五與小三,我決意無論如何也要連同外子那份,盡心養育他們長大。當然,在這背後還有學會同志們的溫暖鼓勵,用筆墨難以形容。
外子去世那年,我被任命為圈婦人部長,負責投入離家約四十分鐘車程的地區。平常,白天活動結束後,我一定回家準備晚餐,等孩子們放學回來後,再次前往負責的地區活動。
但不管我再怎麼努力,三個正值青春期的孩子還是感到孤單,大約從那時起,即不約而同地不做勤行、唱題了。
孩子們離開信心這段期間,我非常煩惱,幸好他們三人在創價學會「鼓勵的繫絆」中受到諸多鼓勵,才又漸漸回到信心的軌道。
回到正確的軌道
例如,考上東海大學的次子阿悛,上東京前信誓旦旦地對我說:「就算死了也不要信心!」但他在東京認識許多優秀的學會員後又開始參加活動,在大學時期還折伏兩位朋友入信。
老三阿克讀高二時,受邀參加創價大學校園開放參觀活動,聽到美國創價大學的學生的一番話後印象深刻,一回到家就說想就讀美國創價大學,儘管過去他的目標是日本國立大學。
他的決定讓我好驚訝,於是我認真祈求,對阿克最好的安排。那時,石橋昌女士<總福島婦人部長>的兒子是大阿克一年的學長,已接獲美國創大入學通知,因偶然回老家,所以我讓阿克請教他有關升學的問題。
據說那位學長除了給予種種學習方面的建議以外,還告訴阿克:「最重要的是認真唱題祈求!」從那天起,他每天唱題一小時以及用功讀書,終於如願考上美國創價大學。
曾有一段時間完全離開信心的阿克,如今在美國SGI大學部擔任支部負責人。對我而言,這一切有如作夢。
最近,外子的好友對我說:「看來,你老公想做的事,三個兒子都幫他實現了!」我才猛然發現,一切真如他所說。
外子喜愛大自然,長子阿格上酪農大學,或許就是繼承他的愛好。次子阿俊則在大學的人類環境系研究龍蝨(昆蟲)。長子在工作之餘參加樂團,擔任鼓手,巧的是外子年輕時也曾在樂團打鼓。
經過一番苦讀,好不容易考上大學的外子因故輟學後,一心想讀完大學,直到去世前還在創價大學上空大課程。兒子們彷彿追隨著父親的腳步,一路成長過來。我相信這都是亡夫在冥冥之中推動著他們。
池田先生對福島縣的指導,一貫以「人才」為主題:「人才的『寶山』、妙法的『人才瑞士』。」的確,每次投入縣內各地,我都深深感受到人才真的很多。
我也決意和三個兒子在各自廣布舞台盡情奮鬥到底,構築更豐富的福島「人才寶山」。
<摘譯自《燈塔》二〇一一年一月號,作者中島和江,福島中央總縣婦人部長>
[教學研習,2012年11月号]