Creating Victory through Adversity
Chen Yi Chen
Penang, Malaysia
I was born in Kuala Gula, in the state of Perak, Malaysia. When I started my studies in Primary 5, I had to leave my hometown for Penang to continue my education while staying with my aunt. During my Secondary 1 education, my aunt suggested that I enroll in Penang Buddhist Free School in order to save on my tuition fees. In that period of influence, I was converted to Buddhism and took the School’s Buddhist exam every year. It was also at the school that I first heard of the Buddhist Phrase, “一子出家，九族升天” (Term loosely translated: When one enters monkshood, his nine generation of ancestors will ascend to the heavens), I started having thoughts of becoming a monk.
It was at that time that my 4th Aunt, who had taken up faith in Nichiren Buddhism, tried to shakubuku me. My 4th Aunt explanation of “The Principle of the Mutual Possession of Ten Worlds” was so closely related to our daily life that I was totally convinced of that Buddhist fundamental. With the encouragement of my 4th Aunt, I participated in the 1985’s 2nd Malaysia Cultural Festival. The participants were always so full of joy and vibrancy and that left a very deep impression on me. The following year, I took up faith and started practicing in Nichiren Buddhism.
I did not start practicing in Nichiren Buddhism because of any troubles. Rather, it was purely because I can agree to the teachings of the organization, which have such close relations to our daily life. Over the next 20 over years of practice, my life was smooth sailing, my career was stable and I had a happy family with a good wife and 2 kids.
Yet, the good times didn’t last. My life went downhill and nearly beyond redemption due to personal greed. Before I started up a career in insurance, I was working in the lathe modeling department of a factory. I drew a very generous pay and my life was very stable. However, my surrounding colleagues gambling habits greatly influenced me and I went on to totally forgot about the teachings from the organization.
Besides my own bets on soccer, I also became soccer betting agents with my colleagues. During that time, we were absolutely obsessed with gambling. Whilst the Chinese saying goes, “十赌九输” (Term loosely translated: When one gambles ten times, nine of them are losses), I lost a large sum of money and in order to cover my losses, I resorted to getting personal loan from banks. Burdened by the tight financial situation and pressure of outstanding loans, I had no courage to let my family and organization members know of my situation. I had to live in fear every day. My life was so painful and I was so afraid of hearing phone rings because this was usually the banks calling for debts collection. My life literally fell into hell.
Soon after, my family, with the exception of my wife, came to know about my situation. I did not deliberately hide the truth from my wife but I just did not want to worry her and also wanted to protect her. Nonetheless, truth will always come to light sooner or later so in the year 2009 during our 7th anniversary of marriage, everything came to exposure.
My wife was extremely hurt and disappointed with what I had done and wanted a divorce. This incident happened on August 4th 2009, just 2 days before my birthday. That night, I was at Penang Culture Centre doing my duty. At about 7pm, I received an SMS from my wife saying she will bring our children to me. Initially I did not take the issue seriously until my wife brought our children to me and left without a word. After she left, she did not contact anyone, not even friends nor relatives. Her actions left me worried and anxious. Immediately, I knelt in front of the Gohonzon and started chanting daimoku.
At 12 midnight, my wife finally reappeared. I earnestly requested for her forgiveness. I told her that I had been a good abiding husband, taking care of our children and doing household chores. It was a moment of greed that landed me in this dire situation. I fervently requested my wife to give me a second chance to turn over a new leaf.
At that time, my wife who has yet to take up faith in Nichiren Buddhism, did not soften down despite my earnest plea. Instead, she said in a very serious tone: “You always say how great the Gohonzon is, prove to me! If you cannot do it, return the Gohonzon back to the organization!” In order to prove my determination to change for the better, I wrote my commitment on a piece of paper and signed my name as evidence. Up to that moment, I am at a point of no return. I can only attain success and accept no failure!
Soka Gakkai theme for 2009 was the “Year of Youth and Victory”. SGI President Ikeda said in his guidance: “While facing harsh reality, we must set our determination and achieve victory no matter the circumstances. Being victorious is our mission". I prayed that I would achieve great victory and show great actual proof in my work, marriage and life.
In order to overcome my financial difficulties, I must have a big breakthrough in my insurance career and I must achieve it in the shortest possible time. No matter how difficult the circumstances were, I did not retreat. I engraved the following Ikeda Sensei’s guidance in my heart: “The most glorious history can only be created from the direst adverse circumstances." Embracing this guidance, I continue to encourage myself to strive forward.
In order to achieve my sales performance of 100,000 Malaysian Ringgit, I travelled all over from Kuala Lumpur, Kuantan, my hometown Kuala Gula and even to Singapore. When I felt lost in direction, I would go to Penang Culture Centre and chant at least 1 to 2 hours of daimoku. Through my sincere daimoku, an old Kuantan schoolmate bought an insurance policy from me. It became even more inspiring when his family members also bought insurance from me and the total insured amounted to more than 60 thousand ringgit. Because of this, I finally achieved my 100 thousand ringgit performances target! The following year on January 8th, I got over 400 thousand of commission plus year-end bonuses. I cleared all the bank loans and bid goodbye to the nightmare of financial debts.
Initially, my mum was utterly disappointed by my down and out life but after witnessing my victorious testimonial of “changing poison into medicine”, she was very touched. Through my actual proof, both my mum and my sister took up faith in Nichiren Buddhism. From this experience, I had realized that faith is the fundamental force to solve all problems. You can lose everything else but you cannot lose your faith. I am grateful of my wife’s severe warning or else, I would not have made a decision to quit gambling and I would not have this chance to deepen my conviction to the Mystic Law.
Toda Sensei in his guidance said: “Whatever the situation or circumstances you may encounter, you must be determined to chant to the Gohonzon until the end. This is the greatest philosophy of the Organization." All the challenges that encountered during our journey of faith are nourishment to our growth. Through this test of faith, not only did I protect the Gohonzon, I also managed to shakubuku my wife.
I determined that from now on, I will ‘take my mentor’s heart as mine’, never to divert from the path of faith and share the greatness of this Mystic Law to even more people enabling them to embark on the journey of true happiness.
[Cosmic, February 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.)
逆境中赢取胜利
陈义成
槟城 马来西亚
我的家乡是霹雳州的瓜拉牛拉。我小学五年级就到槟城求学，居住在小姨家。初中一时,为了节省补习费，我听从阿姨的建议到槟城佛教总会义学。长期耳濡目染之下，我皈依佛教并参加每年的佛法教学考试。我因听闻了“一人出家，九族升天”的教导而萌生出家的念头。
当时已经入信日莲佛法的四姨折伏我。四姨向我解说的“十界互具论”让我信服，而且非常生活化。受到四姨的鼓励，我参加了1985年的第二届全国文化节。表演者朝气蓬勃、满怀喜悦的脸孔令我留下深刻的印象。我于翌年入信。
我不是因为遇到棘手问题而信受日莲佛法，纯粹是因为认同学会的教导，并且与日常生活息息相关而选择入信。入信了二十多年的日子里，我的人生一帆风顺，事业稳定，并且娶得贤妻，生了两个孩子，一家乐融融。
然而因为自己的贪念，差点令自己万劫不复。在我未投入保险业前，我在一间工厂的车床模型部上班，薪金蛮优渥，生活稳定。不过身边多位同事却好赌成性，我也在“近朱者赤”之下渐渐受到影响，掉入欲望的泥沼，将学会的教导抛诸脑后。
除了自己赌球，我更与同僚合作当赌球代理，完全沉迷在赌博中。所谓“十赌九输”，我输了不少的钱，最后唯有向银行申请个人贷款，以弥补款额的不足。然而，在紧张的财务与贷款压力下，加上我无勇气让家人和学会员知道我的窘境，导致我每天心惊胆跳，日子过得非常痛苦，也惧怕听到手提电话的铃声，因为银行经常来电追债。我堕入如地狱般的生活。
不久之后，家人知道了我的处境，唯独内人还蒙在鼓里。我并非存心隐瞒内人，只是不想让她操心，一心想保护她。但是“纸包不住火”，2009年我们结婚七周年之际，终于东窗事发。
内人对我的所作所为感到非常伤心和失望，向我提出离婚。事情是发生在2009年8月4日，我生日的前两天。那一晚，我在槟城文化会馆值勤，大约七时收到内人发来短讯说要将儿子载送给我。我起初不以为意，可是内人将孩子载送来会馆之后就二话不说离去。内人走后也没有和家人或朋友联系，她的举止让我很忧虑和焦急。我连忙跪在御本尊跟前唱诵题目。
午夜12时，内人终于出现在我眼前，我恳请内人原谅我的过错。我告诉她说，平时我都中规中矩，照顾孩子和做家务，现今只是一时起了贪念才会沦落此地步。我恳求内人给我改过自新的机会。
当时未入信日莲佛法的内人，并没有因为我的说情而心软。反而非常严肃告诉我说：“你时常说御本尊很伟大，就证明给我看吧！如果无法做到，那么就将御本尊退还给学会吧！”为了显示我的改革决心，我在白纸上写下我的承诺书，并署名为证。来到此地步，我已经没有退路，只许成功，不许失败!
创价学会的2009 年主题是“青年胜利年”。池田SGI会长指导说：“面对任何无情的现实，也要下定决心。无论如何一定要胜利，胜利才是我们的使命。”我向御本尊祈求，务必在事业、婚姻和人生取得大胜利、大实证。
我必须在最短的时间内在业绩上达到大突破，才能解决我的债务问题。尽管困难重重，但是我并没退缩。我将池田先生的指导：“在最恶劣的逆境中，才能创造出最辉煌的历史”铭刻于心，不断地鼓励自己向前。
为了短期内达到十万令吉的业绩，我四处奔波，足迹遍布吉隆坡、关丹，还返回家乡瓜拉牛拉，甚至远赴新加坡。当在茫茫人海中毫无方向时，我就会到槟城文化会馆唱题一两小时。透过真心的唱题之下，有位关丹老同学向我投保。更令人振奋的是，他的家庭成员也向我投保，总保额达到六万多令吉。我终于达到所立下的十万令吉业绩目标！隔年的1月8日，我获得四万多的佣金和年终花红，清还所有银行贷款，告别了负债的恶梦。
母亲原本对我之前的潦倒生活极度失望，但是目睹我“变毒为药”的胜利体验后深受感动，与我妹妹双双入信日莲佛法。此次体验让我觉悟，信心是解决一切问题的根本力量，任何东西都能够失去，唯独不能失去信心。我很感谢内人当时对我“当头棒喝”，否则我也不会立下大决心戒赌，更不会有加深对妙法大确信的机会。
户田先生曾教导说：“不管遇到什么事，也要下定决心，向御本尊祈求到底，这就是学会最了不起的哲学。”信心过程遇到的问题，一切都是自己成长的粮食。此次信心考验，我不仅保住御本尊，而且也成功折伏内人入信。
我决意今后“以师心为己心”，不再乖离信心轨道，并与更多的人分享妙法的伟大，让他们也步上绝对幸福之道。
(田伟隆整理)
［宇宙月刊，2013年2月号］
Chen Yi Chen
Penang, Malaysia
I was born in Kuala Gula, in the state of Perak, Malaysia. When I started my studies in Primary 5, I had to leave my hometown for Penang to continue my education while staying with my aunt. During my Secondary 1 education, my aunt suggested that I enroll in Penang Buddhist Free School in order to save on my tuition fees. In that period of influence, I was converted to Buddhism and took the School’s Buddhist exam every year. It was also at the school that I first heard of the Buddhist Phrase, “一子出家，九族升天” (Term loosely translated: When one enters monkshood, his nine generation of ancestors will ascend to the heavens), I started having thoughts of becoming a monk.
It was at that time that my 4th Aunt, who had taken up faith in Nichiren Buddhism, tried to shakubuku me. My 4th Aunt explanation of “The Principle of the Mutual Possession of Ten Worlds” was so closely related to our daily life that I was totally convinced of that Buddhist fundamental. With the encouragement of my 4th Aunt, I participated in the 1985’s 2nd Malaysia Cultural Festival. The participants were always so full of joy and vibrancy and that left a very deep impression on me. The following year, I took up faith and started practicing in Nichiren Buddhism.
I did not start practicing in Nichiren Buddhism because of any troubles. Rather, it was purely because I can agree to the teachings of the organization, which have such close relations to our daily life. Over the next 20 over years of practice, my life was smooth sailing, my career was stable and I had a happy family with a good wife and 2 kids.
Yet, the good times didn’t last. My life went downhill and nearly beyond redemption due to personal greed. Before I started up a career in insurance, I was working in the lathe modeling department of a factory. I drew a very generous pay and my life was very stable. However, my surrounding colleagues gambling habits greatly influenced me and I went on to totally forgot about the teachings from the organization.
Besides my own bets on soccer, I also became soccer betting agents with my colleagues. During that time, we were absolutely obsessed with gambling. Whilst the Chinese saying goes, “十赌九输” (Term loosely translated: When one gambles ten times, nine of them are losses), I lost a large sum of money and in order to cover my losses, I resorted to getting personal loan from banks. Burdened by the tight financial situation and pressure of outstanding loans, I had no courage to let my family and organization members know of my situation. I had to live in fear every day. My life was so painful and I was so afraid of hearing phone rings because this was usually the banks calling for debts collection. My life literally fell into hell.
Soon after, my family, with the exception of my wife, came to know about my situation. I did not deliberately hide the truth from my wife but I just did not want to worry her and also wanted to protect her. Nonetheless, truth will always come to light sooner or later so in the year 2009 during our 7th anniversary of marriage, everything came to exposure.
My wife was extremely hurt and disappointed with what I had done and wanted a divorce. This incident happened on August 4th 2009, just 2 days before my birthday. That night, I was at Penang Culture Centre doing my duty. At about 7pm, I received an SMS from my wife saying she will bring our children to me. Initially I did not take the issue seriously until my wife brought our children to me and left without a word. After she left, she did not contact anyone, not even friends nor relatives. Her actions left me worried and anxious. Immediately, I knelt in front of the Gohonzon and started chanting daimoku.
At 12 midnight, my wife finally reappeared. I earnestly requested for her forgiveness. I told her that I had been a good abiding husband, taking care of our children and doing household chores. It was a moment of greed that landed me in this dire situation. I fervently requested my wife to give me a second chance to turn over a new leaf.
At that time, my wife who has yet to take up faith in Nichiren Buddhism, did not soften down despite my earnest plea. Instead, she said in a very serious tone: “You always say how great the Gohonzon is, prove to me! If you cannot do it, return the Gohonzon back to the organization!” In order to prove my determination to change for the better, I wrote my commitment on a piece of paper and signed my name as evidence. Up to that moment, I am at a point of no return. I can only attain success and accept no failure!
Soka Gakkai theme for 2009 was the “Year of Youth and Victory”. SGI President Ikeda said in his guidance: “While facing harsh reality, we must set our determination and achieve victory no matter the circumstances. Being victorious is our mission". I prayed that I would achieve great victory and show great actual proof in my work, marriage and life.
In order to overcome my financial difficulties, I must have a big breakthrough in my insurance career and I must achieve it in the shortest possible time. No matter how difficult the circumstances were, I did not retreat. I engraved the following Ikeda Sensei’s guidance in my heart: “The most glorious history can only be created from the direst adverse circumstances." Embracing this guidance, I continue to encourage myself to strive forward.
In order to achieve my sales performance of 100,000 Malaysian Ringgit, I travelled all over from Kuala Lumpur, Kuantan, my hometown Kuala Gula and even to Singapore. When I felt lost in direction, I would go to Penang Culture Centre and chant at least 1 to 2 hours of daimoku. Through my sincere daimoku, an old Kuantan schoolmate bought an insurance policy from me. It became even more inspiring when his family members also bought insurance from me and the total insured amounted to more than 60 thousand ringgit. Because of this, I finally achieved my 100 thousand ringgit performances target! The following year on January 8th, I got over 400 thousand of commission plus year-end bonuses. I cleared all the bank loans and bid goodbye to the nightmare of financial debts.
Initially, my mum was utterly disappointed by my down and out life but after witnessing my victorious testimonial of “changing poison into medicine”, she was very touched. Through my actual proof, both my mum and my sister took up faith in Nichiren Buddhism. From this experience, I had realized that faith is the fundamental force to solve all problems. You can lose everything else but you cannot lose your faith. I am grateful of my wife’s severe warning or else, I would not have made a decision to quit gambling and I would not have this chance to deepen my conviction to the Mystic Law.
Toda Sensei in his guidance said: “Whatever the situation or circumstances you may encounter, you must be determined to chant to the Gohonzon until the end. This is the greatest philosophy of the Organization." All the challenges that encountered during our journey of faith are nourishment to our growth. Through this test of faith, not only did I protect the Gohonzon, I also managed to shakubuku my wife.
I determined that from now on, I will ‘take my mentor’s heart as mine’, never to divert from the path of faith and share the greatness of this Mystic Law to even more people enabling them to embark on the journey of true happiness.
[Cosmic, February 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.)
逆境中赢取胜利
陈义成
槟城 马来西亚
我的家乡是霹雳州的瓜拉牛拉。我小学五年级就到槟城求学，居住在小姨家。初中一时,为了节省补习费，我听从阿姨的建议到槟城佛教总会义学。长期耳濡目染之下，我皈依佛教并参加每年的佛法教学考试。我因听闻了“一人出家，九族升天”的教导而萌生出家的念头。
当时已经入信日莲佛法的四姨折伏我。四姨向我解说的“十界互具论”让我信服，而且非常生活化。受到四姨的鼓励，我参加了1985年的第二届全国文化节。表演者朝气蓬勃、满怀喜悦的脸孔令我留下深刻的印象。我于翌年入信。
我不是因为遇到棘手问题而信受日莲佛法，纯粹是因为认同学会的教导，并且与日常生活息息相关而选择入信。入信了二十多年的日子里，我的人生一帆风顺，事业稳定，并且娶得贤妻，生了两个孩子，一家乐融融。
然而因为自己的贪念，差点令自己万劫不复。在我未投入保险业前，我在一间工厂的车床模型部上班，薪金蛮优渥，生活稳定。不过身边多位同事却好赌成性，我也在“近朱者赤”之下渐渐受到影响，掉入欲望的泥沼，将学会的教导抛诸脑后。
除了自己赌球，我更与同僚合作当赌球代理，完全沉迷在赌博中。所谓“十赌九输”，我输了不少的钱，最后唯有向银行申请个人贷款，以弥补款额的不足。然而，在紧张的财务与贷款压力下，加上我无勇气让家人和学会员知道我的窘境，导致我每天心惊胆跳，日子过得非常痛苦，也惧怕听到手提电话的铃声，因为银行经常来电追债。我堕入如地狱般的生活。
不久之后，家人知道了我的处境，唯独内人还蒙在鼓里。我并非存心隐瞒内人，只是不想让她操心，一心想保护她。但是“纸包不住火”，2009年我们结婚七周年之际，终于东窗事发。
内人对我的所作所为感到非常伤心和失望，向我提出离婚。事情是发生在2009年8月4日，我生日的前两天。那一晚，我在槟城文化会馆值勤，大约七时收到内人发来短讯说要将儿子载送给我。我起初不以为意，可是内人将孩子载送来会馆之后就二话不说离去。内人走后也没有和家人或朋友联系，她的举止让我很忧虑和焦急。我连忙跪在御本尊跟前唱诵题目。
午夜12时，内人终于出现在我眼前，我恳请内人原谅我的过错。我告诉她说，平时我都中规中矩，照顾孩子和做家务，现今只是一时起了贪念才会沦落此地步。我恳求内人给我改过自新的机会。
当时未入信日莲佛法的内人，并没有因为我的说情而心软。反而非常严肃告诉我说：“你时常说御本尊很伟大，就证明给我看吧！如果无法做到，那么就将御本尊退还给学会吧！”为了显示我的改革决心，我在白纸上写下我的承诺书，并署名为证。来到此地步，我已经没有退路，只许成功，不许失败!
创价学会的2009 年主题是“青年胜利年”。池田SGI会长指导说：“面对任何无情的现实，也要下定决心。无论如何一定要胜利，胜利才是我们的使命。”我向御本尊祈求，务必在事业、婚姻和人生取得大胜利、大实证。
我必须在最短的时间内在业绩上达到大突破，才能解决我的债务问题。尽管困难重重，但是我并没退缩。我将池田先生的指导：“在最恶劣的逆境中，才能创造出最辉煌的历史”铭刻于心，不断地鼓励自己向前。
为了短期内达到十万令吉的业绩，我四处奔波，足迹遍布吉隆坡、关丹，还返回家乡瓜拉牛拉，甚至远赴新加坡。当在茫茫人海中毫无方向时，我就会到槟城文化会馆唱题一两小时。透过真心的唱题之下，有位关丹老同学向我投保。更令人振奋的是，他的家庭成员也向我投保，总保额达到六万多令吉。我终于达到所立下的十万令吉业绩目标！隔年的1月8日，我获得四万多的佣金和年终花红，清还所有银行贷款，告别了负债的恶梦。
母亲原本对我之前的潦倒生活极度失望，但是目睹我“变毒为药”的胜利体验后深受感动，与我妹妹双双入信日莲佛法。此次体验让我觉悟，信心是解决一切问题的根本力量，任何东西都能够失去，唯独不能失去信心。我很感谢内人当时对我“当头棒喝”，否则我也不会立下大决心戒赌，更不会有加深对妙法大确信的机会。
户田先生曾教导说：“不管遇到什么事，也要下定决心，向御本尊祈求到底，这就是学会最了不起的哲学。”信心过程遇到的问题，一切都是自己成长的粮食。此次信心考验，我不仅保住御本尊，而且也成功折伏内人入信。
我决意今后“以师心为己心”，不再乖离信心轨道，并与更多的人分享妙法的伟大，让他们也步上绝对幸福之道。
(田伟隆整理)
［宇宙月刊，2013年2月号］