Dreams, Daring and Determination
Angie Ong
New Zealand
“Daimoku is light. As the Daishonin says, ‘...a candle can light up a place that has been dark for billions of years.’ Similarly, the moment we offer prayers based on chanting daimoku. the darkness in our lives vanishes. This is the principle of the simultaneity of cause and effect. At that very instant, in the depths of our lives our prayer has been answered.” Angie Ong wrote this guidance by SGI President Ikeda in her notebook years ago and it continues to inspire her.
Studying overseas to experience the world had always been my dream, a dream that I thought was only for wealthy people and impossible for someone like me coming from an average-income family. My mentor, President Ikeda' s photography exhibition "Dialogue with Nature" held in 2003 in Kuala Lumpur changed my life. Visiting the exhibition moved and inspired me. I wondered how Mr Ikeda could use photographs to encourage people and create peace. So I decided to pick up photography to answer my questions. I started off by learning from a group of hobbyists. Soon I began to free-lance in order to gain more experience. The passion grew deeper and suddenly I recalled my teenage dream. A dream is just a dream without action. So, I decided to quit my administration job to study photography overseas. I chanted about six hours daily for three months with the clear objective of what I wanted to achieve and that wherever I went, I would be able to carry out kosen-rufu.
In 2009, I made it to Aotearoa New Zealand. However, the supposed-to-be fun student life didn't last long as I got into financial difficulty. On top of my morning class, I had to work at a busy restaurant from noon till late night and then work on my assignments. No matter how busy I was, I still exerted myself in the SGI New Zealand (SGINZ) Victorious March Band, photography team and district meetings. President Ikeda once exhorted the youth: "Let's fight together. Life is limited. Life is a rare gift. Don't have any regrets. I hope you will live your lives to the fullest and create poems of victory in youth that will remain as precious memories forever." Whenever I felt tired or lost, I kept reminding myself to overcome it with the strategy of the Lotus Sutra, winning through faith. Two of my victories were: I was given an "Excellent" award for my first-year study and I participated in a photography competition where only ten students were be selected throughout Aotearoa to cover NZ Fashion Week, and I was one of them.
For five years in Aotearoa, I have struggled with visa issues and they aren't over yet. In September 2014, I was despairing, as I had to go back to my home country, Malaysia, due to my visa expiring. I was so depressed about it and was questioning myself whether I had not given enough effort to stay on? Had my mission in Aotearoa come to an end? I was really determined to come back to Aotearoa as I have a strong sense of mission here. So, I vowed to join the New Era Celebration on November 15, 2014 as I had a big responsibility to photographically document this historical event and report it to President Ikeda and the world. I chanted with strong determination for the good fortune to carry out kosen-rufu in Aotearoa. Back home, I was invited to share my SGINZ activities and experience at a local district meeting. Soon, the news spread and many districts started to invite me. I shared my experience with the SGM Penang FeiYang Symphonic Band and photography team, hoping to inspire and encourage them to be victorious in life through kosen-rufu. I even travelled to Kuala Lumpur to encourage the brass band members. I then realised this was the reason why I had to go home at that point in time - to encourage members. A woman approached me in tears, thanking me for my speech had given her direction on how to encourage her son who was having issues living overseas.
The more I shared, the stronger my pledge to transform my fundamental darkness and do my human revolution became. Protective functions appeared in my environment and I made it back to Aotearoa just a week before the New Era Celebration in November. On January 2015, I went back to university to complete my degree in photography, with many thanks and appreciation for my mum's support. It was really challenging, as I hadn't been in a studying environment for quite a long time. But I pledged to win in both SGI activities and university. As a result, I received high grades in my studies and was able to carry out kosen-rufu smoothly. I always report to President Ikeda about my progress and victories to make sure that I do whatever I promise him in my letter. This is how I forged the spirit of the oneness of mentor and disciple.
Ever since returning to Aotearoa, I have been struggling to find a stable job. My bank account was shrinking. I was talking to a fellow member of the SGI Young Men Division, an information technology professional, who had to take on painting jobs, and I said 'I’m a photographer, doing domestic house-cleaning jobs." We promised and encouraged each other to get our dream jobs as soon as possible! In mid-2015 he got a job in a large company in his IT field! That really encouraged me! I determined to break through obstacles with daimoku and show actual proof. I started going to morning chanting sessions from 6:30 A.M. to 8:00 A.M. I chanted to get a job and be financially secure for the sake of kosen-rufu! Morning chanting has helped me carry out my human revolution because I found it very hard to wake up before sunrise and get to the culture centre. I feel proud that SGINZ is the first country (of every new day) to chant for happiness of the whole world and the expansion of worldwide kosen-rufu.
In August, I got to know that I would be the only photographer for the Rotorua peace event commemorating the 15th anniversary of the Ikeda Hall Peace Garden and presenting over 16,000 signatures supporting the Marshall Islands nuclear weapon abolition court case. It's the first time I hand led such a big event by myself. I knew I would have a lot of pressure but I said "Yes, I will do my best." On the day of the Ikeda Hall Peace Garden event, the weather was perfect despite the bad weather forecast. It was perfect until ten minutes before the group photo. A dark cloud came right above the garden and it started to drizzle. I said to myself, "I cannot be defeated." I chanted in my heart so hard that I had teary eyes. We could not lose; the event must end perfectly! The timing worked out flawlessly as our programme was a bit delayed and by the time we got to the group photo, the cloud was gone and I was able to accomplish my mission! I really appreciated the challenge of being the only photographer at the event and the opportunity to practise the stand- alone spirit and shine. Again, I refreshed my determination to be "the eye of President Ikeda". I shall use my skill to record the wonderful history of kosenrufu. He cannot be everywhere so I am his lens.
The very next day, I went for an interview for a part-time job with an award-winning portrait photographer, as her assistant. I was hired on the spot! A week after the job trial, she explained that in the last few months business had picked up a lot and she was a bit exhausted. So, she created a new position for me as a re-toucher so that she could have more time to concentrate on shooting only and spend time with her family.
A few days later, the Seikyo Shimbun published the group photo I took in Rotorua, together with a feature article, on its front page. For me, that was like a pat on the back from Mr Ikeda. My mum was really happy for me too. That was one thing I could do to make her happy and proud.
Nothing is impossible! President Ikeda encourages us to have hope. "As long as one has hope, there is nothing one cannot achieve." Finally, after six years of living in Aotearoa, I have a proper job that is related to my dream. No more dish-washing, waitressing, washing toilets (although I did enjoy doing this because I always imagined it as polishing my life!).
In February 2016, my boss offered me the position as photo-editor and I could work at my own preferred time. President Toda urged us to be indispensible in our workplace and "Yes, I will be!" I volunteered to cover the Critics Choice A ward 2015 with a public relations agency and that led me to cover the red carpet session at the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards. Some of my photos were published in a local paper, The Herald and other media sites.
2016 marks the 21st anniversary of my participation in SGI music bands. The band's tough training and hard work has taught me to carry out my human revolution through music, accompanied me in my ups and downs and connected me to President Ikeda through out these years. Without the Victorious March Band here in Aotearoa, I would have gone home long time ago. My fellow brass band members are one of the biggest reasons why I persevered to stay. One day, we will be the number one kosen-rufu band in NZ and Oceania. I'm deeply grateful to my family, SGINZ leaders and other members who have given me so much guidance and support throughout my journey.
I am determined to deepen my faith, practise and study based on the spirit of the oneness of mentor and disciple, complete my degree with flying colours, build a happy family, share Nichiren Buddhism with numerous people and contribute to society through my photography! I will continue to create victories to inspire and help others in the same way that others have inspired me.
[Cosmic March 2016]
Angie Ong
New Zealand
“Daimoku is light. As the Daishonin says, ‘...a candle can light up a place that has been dark for billions of years.’ Similarly, the moment we offer prayers based on chanting daimoku. the darkness in our lives vanishes. This is the principle of the simultaneity of cause and effect. At that very instant, in the depths of our lives our prayer has been answered.” Angie Ong wrote this guidance by SGI President Ikeda in her notebook years ago and it continues to inspire her.
Studying overseas to experience the world had always been my dream, a dream that I thought was only for wealthy people and impossible for someone like me coming from an average-income family. My mentor, President Ikeda' s photography exhibition "Dialogue with Nature" held in 2003 in Kuala Lumpur changed my life. Visiting the exhibition moved and inspired me. I wondered how Mr Ikeda could use photographs to encourage people and create peace. So I decided to pick up photography to answer my questions. I started off by learning from a group of hobbyists. Soon I began to free-lance in order to gain more experience. The passion grew deeper and suddenly I recalled my teenage dream. A dream is just a dream without action. So, I decided to quit my administration job to study photography overseas. I chanted about six hours daily for three months with the clear objective of what I wanted to achieve and that wherever I went, I would be able to carry out kosen-rufu.
In 2009, I made it to Aotearoa New Zealand. However, the supposed-to-be fun student life didn't last long as I got into financial difficulty. On top of my morning class, I had to work at a busy restaurant from noon till late night and then work on my assignments. No matter how busy I was, I still exerted myself in the SGI New Zealand (SGINZ) Victorious March Band, photography team and district meetings. President Ikeda once exhorted the youth: "Let's fight together. Life is limited. Life is a rare gift. Don't have any regrets. I hope you will live your lives to the fullest and create poems of victory in youth that will remain as precious memories forever." Whenever I felt tired or lost, I kept reminding myself to overcome it with the strategy of the Lotus Sutra, winning through faith. Two of my victories were: I was given an "Excellent" award for my first-year study and I participated in a photography competition where only ten students were be selected throughout Aotearoa to cover NZ Fashion Week, and I was one of them.
For five years in Aotearoa, I have struggled with visa issues and they aren't over yet. In September 2014, I was despairing, as I had to go back to my home country, Malaysia, due to my visa expiring. I was so depressed about it and was questioning myself whether I had not given enough effort to stay on? Had my mission in Aotearoa come to an end? I was really determined to come back to Aotearoa as I have a strong sense of mission here. So, I vowed to join the New Era Celebration on November 15, 2014 as I had a big responsibility to photographically document this historical event and report it to President Ikeda and the world. I chanted with strong determination for the good fortune to carry out kosen-rufu in Aotearoa. Back home, I was invited to share my SGINZ activities and experience at a local district meeting. Soon, the news spread and many districts started to invite me. I shared my experience with the SGM Penang FeiYang Symphonic Band and photography team, hoping to inspire and encourage them to be victorious in life through kosen-rufu. I even travelled to Kuala Lumpur to encourage the brass band members. I then realised this was the reason why I had to go home at that point in time - to encourage members. A woman approached me in tears, thanking me for my speech had given her direction on how to encourage her son who was having issues living overseas.
The more I shared, the stronger my pledge to transform my fundamental darkness and do my human revolution became. Protective functions appeared in my environment and I made it back to Aotearoa just a week before the New Era Celebration in November. On January 2015, I went back to university to complete my degree in photography, with many thanks and appreciation for my mum's support. It was really challenging, as I hadn't been in a studying environment for quite a long time. But I pledged to win in both SGI activities and university. As a result, I received high grades in my studies and was able to carry out kosen-rufu smoothly. I always report to President Ikeda about my progress and victories to make sure that I do whatever I promise him in my letter. This is how I forged the spirit of the oneness of mentor and disciple.
Ever since returning to Aotearoa, I have been struggling to find a stable job. My bank account was shrinking. I was talking to a fellow member of the SGI Young Men Division, an information technology professional, who had to take on painting jobs, and I said 'I’m a photographer, doing domestic house-cleaning jobs." We promised and encouraged each other to get our dream jobs as soon as possible! In mid-2015 he got a job in a large company in his IT field! That really encouraged me! I determined to break through obstacles with daimoku and show actual proof. I started going to morning chanting sessions from 6:30 A.M. to 8:00 A.M. I chanted to get a job and be financially secure for the sake of kosen-rufu! Morning chanting has helped me carry out my human revolution because I found it very hard to wake up before sunrise and get to the culture centre. I feel proud that SGINZ is the first country (of every new day) to chant for happiness of the whole world and the expansion of worldwide kosen-rufu.
In August, I got to know that I would be the only photographer for the Rotorua peace event commemorating the 15th anniversary of the Ikeda Hall Peace Garden and presenting over 16,000 signatures supporting the Marshall Islands nuclear weapon abolition court case. It's the first time I hand led such a big event by myself. I knew I would have a lot of pressure but I said "Yes, I will do my best." On the day of the Ikeda Hall Peace Garden event, the weather was perfect despite the bad weather forecast. It was perfect until ten minutes before the group photo. A dark cloud came right above the garden and it started to drizzle. I said to myself, "I cannot be defeated." I chanted in my heart so hard that I had teary eyes. We could not lose; the event must end perfectly! The timing worked out flawlessly as our programme was a bit delayed and by the time we got to the group photo, the cloud was gone and I was able to accomplish my mission! I really appreciated the challenge of being the only photographer at the event and the opportunity to practise the stand- alone spirit and shine. Again, I refreshed my determination to be "the eye of President Ikeda". I shall use my skill to record the wonderful history of kosenrufu. He cannot be everywhere so I am his lens.
The very next day, I went for an interview for a part-time job with an award-winning portrait photographer, as her assistant. I was hired on the spot! A week after the job trial, she explained that in the last few months business had picked up a lot and she was a bit exhausted. So, she created a new position for me as a re-toucher so that she could have more time to concentrate on shooting only and spend time with her family.
A few days later, the Seikyo Shimbun published the group photo I took in Rotorua, together with a feature article, on its front page. For me, that was like a pat on the back from Mr Ikeda. My mum was really happy for me too. That was one thing I could do to make her happy and proud.
Nothing is impossible! President Ikeda encourages us to have hope. "As long as one has hope, there is nothing one cannot achieve." Finally, after six years of living in Aotearoa, I have a proper job that is related to my dream. No more dish-washing, waitressing, washing toilets (although I did enjoy doing this because I always imagined it as polishing my life!).
In February 2016, my boss offered me the position as photo-editor and I could work at my own preferred time. President Toda urged us to be indispensible in our workplace and "Yes, I will be!" I volunteered to cover the Critics Choice A ward 2015 with a public relations agency and that led me to cover the red carpet session at the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards. Some of my photos were published in a local paper, The Herald and other media sites.
2016 marks the 21st anniversary of my participation in SGI music bands. The band's tough training and hard work has taught me to carry out my human revolution through music, accompanied me in my ups and downs and connected me to President Ikeda through out these years. Without the Victorious March Band here in Aotearoa, I would have gone home long time ago. My fellow brass band members are one of the biggest reasons why I persevered to stay. One day, we will be the number one kosen-rufu band in NZ and Oceania. I'm deeply grateful to my family, SGINZ leaders and other members who have given me so much guidance and support throughout my journey.
I am determined to deepen my faith, practise and study based on the spirit of the oneness of mentor and disciple, complete my degree with flying colours, build a happy family, share Nichiren Buddhism with numerous people and contribute to society through my photography! I will continue to create victories to inspire and help others in the same way that others have inspired me.
[Cosmic March 2016]