Inspiring Hope in Myself and Others
Adrian Roup
Santa Monica, Calie
How I found true fulfillment through Buddhism.
Up until I received the Gohonzon last December, I felt like my life resembled smoldering rubble after a house had been burnt down. I was overwhelmed by a sense of wasted time, a lack of accomplishments and a lack of purpose.
I was weighed down by the complete depletion of my finances, years without work and a string of failed relationships among other things. Armed with my Buddhist practice, I began to see these challenges as opportunities to confront what I wanted to change in life. I now have a terrific sense of gratitude for the warm support I have received from the members of my district.
One of the most important benefits I have experienced since joining the SGI is the opportunity to be invited into this supportive and encouraging group of people who face their daily challenges with courage and determination. By being part of and contributing to my district, I have found inspiration and a renewal of faith in my own abilities and potential. I feel like new light has been shed on the importance of striving toward my own personal growth and human revolution.
When I started to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo regularly, I noticed how it helped me confidently assess my life. I was able to manifest a calmer, more goal-oriented and productive self. Nichiren Daishonin calls the Gohonzon “the object of devotion for observing the mind,” and we use the metaphor of a mirror. I experienced actual proof of how this works in the form of a variety of surprising benefits. As a result, I have come to understand the Gohonzon as a mirror that helps me perceive the true nature of my life and access the inexhaustible life force of Buddhahood. The more I polished my mirror, the more effective my mind became.
I found that the rhythm of chanting morning and night also inspired other productive habits in my life, such as exercise, healthier eating, and the way I chose to interact with family and friends. I then challenged myself further by introducing a friend to the SGI. She received the Gohonzon in February and has already seen great benefits from the practice.
A famous saying goes: “A rising tide lifts all boats.” I feel that this is the true spirit behind why we share Buddhism with others—how collectively, as a family, as friends, as neighbors, as people—if we are able to help improve somebody else’s life, even if in a small way, we are actually helping ourselves. When we do something useful for another, we are reminded of what we can do to improve our own situation as well.
For the past 10 years, I had been struggling to have sufficient income and work. I was out of money, and it seemed inevitable that I’d have to move back to South Africa to live with my parents. I was still determined to make it here in Los Angeles, but I had no idea how. I wasn't even sure how I was going to pay the rent.
As I chanted and attended SGI-USA activities, I made many causes to break through. I got a call in March from a friend who reminded me about jobs in residential property management. In the past, I had tried in earnest to find a job like this but was not successful. My practice inspired me to give it another shot. I replied to a few ads and in less than two weeks, I was hired to manage seven luxury apartment buildings in my area, and the pay covers my expense. Because it’s not full time, this job also leaves time for my freelance work in entertainment.
I started my new job on June 1, which enable me to keep my apartment. Every morning and evening, I chant to the Gohonzon at home with new found appreciation. I also recently made my very first May contribution offering and as a result of my deep gratitude, more job opportunities emerged seemingly out of the blue. Within the last month, I have taken on five new clients for my freelance work; it’s more work than I’ve had in about a year. The property management job is going well and appears to be a great fit for my personality and abilities.
Because of Buddhism, I am challenging myself to see everything differently, and I am actively looking for opportunities to contribute to kosen-rufu. I was particularly inspired by SGI President Ikeda’s guidance: “A great human revolution in just a single individual will help achieve a change in the destiny of a nation and, further, will enable a change in the destiny of all humankind” (The Human Revolution, p. viii). This change of heart inspired me to befriend a young refugee who fled Sudan to start a new life in Kenya. My practice inspired me to help him shift his mind from someone who was just a victim of war to someone who now has hope and has decided to change his future. His goal is to gather a team of runners from Sudan for an international marathon in the name of peace. He has recently started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
Through chanting, studying and attending SGI gatherings, what I’ve ultimately come to realize about our movement for kosen-rufu is that when people are happy, they don't go to war, they don't do harmful things to one another, and the cycle of happiness is perpetuated.
I believe that each of us has unlimited potential for both good and evil. Even one unfortunate and unhappy individual (like Hitler) can have catastrophic consequences for the world. Or looking at President Ikeda’s example, one individual can help empower and awaken millions of people around the world to the greatness of their own lives. That's why spreading this movement for peace through individual happiness is so important. It is our responsibility to become happy ourselves and to empower others to become happy, too.
I’ve been chanting about finding my higher purpose in life, and this challenge has given me a deep sense of fulfilment knowing that I am contributing to something much greater than just myself.
As a cause to uncover new opportunities and fortune in my life, on May 1, I happily took on my new mission and responsibility as a men’s unit leader. I am confident that my life is now in rhythm and on the right track, and that with my Buddhist practice I can move forward confidently with the tools to handle success and adversity in the best way possible.
[www.sgi-usa.org July 2016]
Adrian Roup
Santa Monica, Calie
How I found true fulfillment through Buddhism.
Up until I received the Gohonzon last December, I felt like my life resembled smoldering rubble after a house had been burnt down. I was overwhelmed by a sense of wasted time, a lack of accomplishments and a lack of purpose.
I was weighed down by the complete depletion of my finances, years without work and a string of failed relationships among other things. Armed with my Buddhist practice, I began to see these challenges as opportunities to confront what I wanted to change in life. I now have a terrific sense of gratitude for the warm support I have received from the members of my district.
One of the most important benefits I have experienced since joining the SGI is the opportunity to be invited into this supportive and encouraging group of people who face their daily challenges with courage and determination. By being part of and contributing to my district, I have found inspiration and a renewal of faith in my own abilities and potential. I feel like new light has been shed on the importance of striving toward my own personal growth and human revolution.
When I started to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo regularly, I noticed how it helped me confidently assess my life. I was able to manifest a calmer, more goal-oriented and productive self. Nichiren Daishonin calls the Gohonzon “the object of devotion for observing the mind,” and we use the metaphor of a mirror. I experienced actual proof of how this works in the form of a variety of surprising benefits. As a result, I have come to understand the Gohonzon as a mirror that helps me perceive the true nature of my life and access the inexhaustible life force of Buddhahood. The more I polished my mirror, the more effective my mind became.
I found that the rhythm of chanting morning and night also inspired other productive habits in my life, such as exercise, healthier eating, and the way I chose to interact with family and friends. I then challenged myself further by introducing a friend to the SGI. She received the Gohonzon in February and has already seen great benefits from the practice.
A famous saying goes: “A rising tide lifts all boats.” I feel that this is the true spirit behind why we share Buddhism with others—how collectively, as a family, as friends, as neighbors, as people—if we are able to help improve somebody else’s life, even if in a small way, we are actually helping ourselves. When we do something useful for another, we are reminded of what we can do to improve our own situation as well.
For the past 10 years, I had been struggling to have sufficient income and work. I was out of money, and it seemed inevitable that I’d have to move back to South Africa to live with my parents. I was still determined to make it here in Los Angeles, but I had no idea how. I wasn't even sure how I was going to pay the rent.
As I chanted and attended SGI-USA activities, I made many causes to break through. I got a call in March from a friend who reminded me about jobs in residential property management. In the past, I had tried in earnest to find a job like this but was not successful. My practice inspired me to give it another shot. I replied to a few ads and in less than two weeks, I was hired to manage seven luxury apartment buildings in my area, and the pay covers my expense. Because it’s not full time, this job also leaves time for my freelance work in entertainment.
I started my new job on June 1, which enable me to keep my apartment. Every morning and evening, I chant to the Gohonzon at home with new found appreciation. I also recently made my very first May contribution offering and as a result of my deep gratitude, more job opportunities emerged seemingly out of the blue. Within the last month, I have taken on five new clients for my freelance work; it’s more work than I’ve had in about a year. The property management job is going well and appears to be a great fit for my personality and abilities.
Because of Buddhism, I am challenging myself to see everything differently, and I am actively looking for opportunities to contribute to kosen-rufu. I was particularly inspired by SGI President Ikeda’s guidance: “A great human revolution in just a single individual will help achieve a change in the destiny of a nation and, further, will enable a change in the destiny of all humankind” (The Human Revolution, p. viii). This change of heart inspired me to befriend a young refugee who fled Sudan to start a new life in Kenya. My practice inspired me to help him shift his mind from someone who was just a victim of war to someone who now has hope and has decided to change his future. His goal is to gather a team of runners from Sudan for an international marathon in the name of peace. He has recently started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
Through chanting, studying and attending SGI gatherings, what I’ve ultimately come to realize about our movement for kosen-rufu is that when people are happy, they don't go to war, they don't do harmful things to one another, and the cycle of happiness is perpetuated.
I believe that each of us has unlimited potential for both good and evil. Even one unfortunate and unhappy individual (like Hitler) can have catastrophic consequences for the world. Or looking at President Ikeda’s example, one individual can help empower and awaken millions of people around the world to the greatness of their own lives. That's why spreading this movement for peace through individual happiness is so important. It is our responsibility to become happy ourselves and to empower others to become happy, too.
I’ve been chanting about finding my higher purpose in life, and this challenge has given me a deep sense of fulfilment knowing that I am contributing to something much greater than just myself.
As a cause to uncover new opportunities and fortune in my life, on May 1, I happily took on my new mission and responsibility as a men’s unit leader. I am confident that my life is now in rhythm and on the right track, and that with my Buddhist practice I can move forward confidently with the tools to handle success and adversity in the best way possible.
[www.sgi-usa.org July 2016]