Tan Meng Chor Lawrence
Young Men Division
Ikeda Sensei wrote, “Nichiren Daishonin writes: ‘Buddhism is like the body, and society like the shadow. When the body bends, so does the shadow.’ (WND-1, p. 1039) Only when the ‘body’ — our Buddhist practice — is firmly established, will the ‘shadow’ — our work and our lives in society — follow suit. Then, even if we do run into a problem at work, we can find the strength to wonderfully surmount it.” (The New Human Revolution Volume 26, “Bold Advance” chapter) Even though I have been practising this Buddhism for over 25 years, it was only recently that I understood the real meaning of this guidance.
Reawakening to Faith
I encountered Nichiren Daishonin Buddhism at the age of 13, thanks to my aunt. She brought my elder sister and me into this practice, and soon after, my mother joined us. Life was smooth sailing for me and my faith stagnated when the demands of managing my family business took over. Although I continued to do my morning and evening gongyo and was a district leader, I did not attend any activities or make efforts to study. I was only chanting out of habit, rather than with any real passion or joy. I became increasingly preoccupied with my career, struggling with self-doubt and questioning whether I was truly living up to the expectations placed upon me as the successor of our family business. This inner turmoil led to a deep sense of uncertainty and a loss of confidence.
In 2019, my world was turned upside down. My 70-year-old father started having trouble walking and speaking. After the doctor ran some tests, he was diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a relentless motor neuron disease, which has a life expectancy of three to five years. The news was devastating. My father, who had always been so active and vibrant, was suddenly facing a disease that would rob him of his physical abilities while leaving his mind intact and fully aware. The future felt dark and uncertain, and I felt overwhelmed by the thought of what lay ahead for him as well as for our family.
Around that time, my Young Men Division (YMD) chapter chief reached out to me. He encouraged me to face my challenges head-on and to take on the mission of district leader in another district. Although I had been in slumber in my faith for eight years, I decided to take on this role, not just for myself but also for my father. It was during this period, with the onset of Covid-19, that I found myself with more time and a renewed sense of purpose. I embarked on a million daimoku challenge, determined to employ the strategy of the Lotus Sutra to confront the trials ahead.
Lawrence and family have elevated their life conditions through their Buddhist practice, building a more harmonious and cohesive family. (From top left clockwise) Lawrence, sister Sharon, brother Kenneth and mother Phua Chor Khoon celebrating mothers’ day together. (May 2024)
The Power of Prayer and Human Revolution
As I chanted, I immersed myself in Buddhist study, reading the entire The New Human Revolution series, Ikeda Sensei’s guidance, and the Gosho with a desperate yearning for answers. The Gosho “Wu-lung and I-lung” profoundly encouraged me, sparking my human revolution. The Daishonin assures lay nun Ueno that when a son or daughter embraces faith in the Lotus Sutra, his or her parents will be able to attain Buddhahood. Hence, I began to practise faith seriously and actualise my human revolution.
I believed that my efforts for kosen-rufu would also help my dad increase his good fortune and benefit. I began carrying a box of testimony books published by the Soka Gakkai in my car, sharing Nichiren Buddhism with everyone I met and giving them the testimony books with an earnest desire that they can practise Nichiren Buddhism and become happy too. After that, I would write down the names of these people in a notebook, praying fervently for their happiness. As I continued this journey, I discovered an inner strength that I never knew existed.
Starting afresh in a new district was not easy. After my first physical discussion meeting at the new district, we had to go on Zoom due to the Covid-19 pandemic. I made the determination to learn Zoom well, always initiated our district plannings and continued to contribute to the district even during a period when my father was hospitalised. I also tried my best to encourage relatives and friends to join me in the Zoom meetings to learn more about Buddhism. The monthly Zoom discussion meeting became our source of encouragement amidst the days that seemed gloomy.
I strove to connect with my district members. One of them was deciding whether to inherit his mother’s Gohonzon after her passing. I chanted for an opportunity to have a good dialogue with him and to awaken his seeking spirit in faith. I managed to meet him and we had a dialogue for three hours. He told me later that this was the first time after a long while he felt a strong desire to work on strengthening his faith. My throat felt sore after the dialogue, but my heart was full and I felt reinvigorated.
Leading a life striving for the happiness of oneself and others now, Lawrence (first row, second from left) put in efforts to foster fellow young men into capable successors for kosen-rufu. (Young Men Division Zone Discussion Meeting, June 2024)
My Father’s Victory at the Final Stage of Life
In 2023, as I completed my fourth million daimoku, my father entered the final stage of his illness left him bedridden and reliant on life support. Seeing him like this was heartbreaking, but our faith enabled us to understand the workings of life and gave us the strength to continue.
I learnt that our lives are subjected to the effects of immutable karma (fixed karma), which determines how long we live and the basic course of our lives; and mutable karma (unfixed karma), which we may or may not experience in this lifetime.
Ikeda Sensei says, “If we compare these two types of karma to sickness, immutable karma is like a serious or even fatal disease, while mutable karma is like a relatively minor illness, such as a cold… But Nichiren Buddhism teaches that we can change all such karma. We can transform even fixed karma – or rather, we must do so…
“If members persevere with strong faith to the very end, they will be victorious, even if they should die from illness. There are many who, while suffering from illness, have chanted for kosen-rufu and the happiness of others and continue to reach out to encourage those around them right up to the very moment of death. Their lives and their bravery in the face of death have given courage and inspiration to countless others. Such people will quickly be reborn with healthy bodies.” (The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace Part 1: Happiness, 8.7)
My father’s illness had brought me back to faith and our Buddhist practice enabled my family members and me to experience greatly elevated life conditions. As a result, we became a cohesive family, supporting and encouraging each other in ways we never did before.
We chanted by my father’s bedside every day and encouraged him to chant in his heart as well. In February, we brought him home from the hospital, knowing that the end was near. It was during one of our daily chanting sessions that my father passed away peacefully. When people came to attend the Soka funeral rites, including my father’s doctors and nurses, they were struck by his serene expression, and I took the opportunity to share our Buddhist practice with them. I am absolutely sure my father has completely transformed his karma in this lifetime and was victorious.
Striving with Renewed Purpose as a Bodhisattva of the Earth
Looking back on these past few years, I have also experienced profound changes in my own life. I have successfully joined the family business as a shareholder, earning the respect and acceptance of my uncles, who serve on the board of directors. We have achieved significant goals over the past year, and I have built strong relationships with my co-workers.
Whenever I face challenges now, I apply the strategy of the Lotus Sutra first and immerse myself in kosen-rufu activities – a complete shift from how I used to approach problems earlier. I feel hopeful, knowing that all my daily challenges are the benefits of faith, helping me to achieve my human revolution.
I am determined to follow in Ikeda Sensei’s footsteps, strive for kosen-rufu, and ensure that the Mystic Law is passed on for generations to come. I will constantly renew my determination to strive, amidst a busy schedule, with this guidance from Ikeda Sensei: “When we make kosen-rufu our mission and strive for it with all our being, the great life force of a Bodhisattva of the Earth begins to pulse within us, enabling us to break the chains of karma.” (The New Human Revolution Volume 19, “Sunlight” chapter)
Towards 2030, I am determined to share Buddhism with those around me and work closely with my district leaders to nurture young and capable Bodhisattvas of the Earth, awakening them to their mission for kosen-rufu, in the same way my senior in faith did for me!
(Adapted from October 2024 issue of Creative Life)
