Lum Tze Kai Kelvin
Young Men Division
Life has a way of awakening us when we least expect it. Through my practice of Nichiren Buddhism, every encounter, every struggle and every prayer has helped me transform my karma and most importantly, set me on a path to discover a mission that is uniquely my own.
Exerting Myself Joyfully at Work
Second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda once said: “In faith, do the work of one; in your job, do the work of three.”
I took this to heart, not literally taking up three persons’ worth of work but by exerting my utmost and contributing joyfully to fulfilling my own mission. It was with such a spirit that I strove at work, wherever I was.
There were even occasions when fellow colleagues would ask the reason behind my glowing cheerfulness. My reply was simple – because I chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.
I have always been quite an introvert and preferred to be the quiet observer. Because of my earnest and introspective attitude to infuse my work with purpose, I started being offered more roles and opportunities for growth, including a position leading regional sales which required frequent travel.
While I was gaining recognition at work, I also began to neglect my health, working irregular hours to respond promptly whenever our overseas counterparts needed support and getting very little sleep. I was constantly fatigued, and it took a toll on my health though I was unaware of it.
Transforming my Health Crisis into Mission
In September 2018, I had a heated confrontation with a colleague over a false accusation.
A day later, I woke up to an extreme and pulsating headache. The pain was so intense that I could neither eat nor walk properly. It affected my daily practice and even chanting a single phrase of daimoku was excruciatingly painful.
Thinking it was just a severe migraine, I decided that a few days’ rest would make it go away. Ten days later, I was forcefully admitted to the hospital by my family. The neurologist reprimanded me for not seeking treatment earlier – there was internal bleeding from a pituitary tumour that had abruptly ruptured!
I felt lost and worried, unsure what the best solution was. My biggest worry was for my parents, who were worn out by the daily visitations and perpetual uncertainty over what may happen to me next.
During this difficult time, many comrades in faith visited me amidst their busy schedules. I really appreciated how my comrades encouraged my parents to chant so as to transform this family karma with fervent daimoku.
I came to understand why this occurred and the need to better understand my mission in life. At that moment, I was reminded of a Gosho passage that states, “Although I and my disciples may encounter various difficulties, if we do not harbour doubts in our hearts, we will as a matter of course attain Buddhahood. Do not have doubts simply because heaven does not lend you protection. Do not be discouraged because you do not enjoy an easy and secure existence in this life. This is what I have taught my disciples morning and evening, and yet they begin to harbour doubts and abandon their faith. Foolish men are likely to forget the promises they have made when the crucial moment comes.” (WND-1, p. 283)
I felt as if the Daishonin was speaking to me, and I resolved to challenge this illness with renewed hope and composure, basing myself solely on faith.
The Spirit of Always Starting Afresh From This Moment On
Chanting with the spirit of always starting afresh from this moment on, I set a resolution to not only win for myself, but also to support 10 more members who are facing health challenges with this decisive recovery.
The neurologist had agreed to discharge me on two conditions – only if the tumour had shrunk sufficiently and when the pulsating headaches ceased.
I poured my entire life into chanting doubt-free daimoku to transform my health karma. By the eighth day, the tumour had shrunk, the pain had subsided, and I was discharged the next day. Follow-up MRIs recorded the tumour’s reduction in size and eventual disappearance.
Looking back, I feel deep appreciation and gratitude – even for the colleague I once resented. If not for that confrontation, I might have collapsed on an overseas work trip. This illness became the turning point – I had strengthened my conviction in Nichiren Buddhism.
This illness became the turning point – I had strengthened my conviction in Nichiren Buddhism.
Thereafter, I moved to work in a US-based tech start-up, where I had a supportive manager, a flexible schedule, and teammates I can count on. It was a wonderful time of personal growth.
Redefining What It Means to Win
I exerted myself at this new place of work. On the outside, I was being diligent, but I realised that I was not growing in the way I had hoped to and my job was again taking a toll on my health as I worked past midnight, later than anyone else.
Challenges with a new manager surfaced and I felt unfulfilled. However, through the lens of Buddhism, it was also clear to me that if I were to leave my job in a low life state, this work karma will continue to resurface. I set a six-month timeline to chant to transform myself and to determine whether this was truly my place of mission.
We currently live in a time of uncertainty where the employment rate is constantly fluctuating, and many companies are not hiring. Even in these circumstances, I eventually decided to leave the company, initiating a personal endeavour to clarify my unique mission and lead a more purposeful life.
I was very fortunate to have wonderful seniors in faith, constantly reminding us that the challenges that we face now will help us guide and support our friends and members who may face the same struggles in the future. I could see this now. This was my journey of continued human revolution.
Through the subsequent weeks and months, I have learned more about myself by chanting and reflecting on the person I would like to be. I have also noticed things around me that I had overlooked in the past – be it recognising my fundamental darkness or observing how my parents are ageing and how I would like to play a role in their lives.
As I have more free time during this period of unemployment, I spend more time at home with my dad. I observe how he demonstrates through his daily routine what it means to be a practitioner of the Lotus Sutra, as he dedicates his time to chanting for at least two hours each day. I also treasure the moments we get to chant together in front of the Gohonzon.
My Mission Towards 2030
It is my greatest honour to follow Ikeda Sensei as my mentor in life. Following his guidance, I’m constantly reminded that the challenges I face – in health, work, or human relations – are opportunities to guide and support others through similar struggles. Through the power of faith, we can help them and, in the process, advance my own human revolution to become a person of deeper empathy. This experience has truly highlighted the importance of fulfilling my vow for kosen-rufu by deepening my compassion. When engaging in dialogue, I strive to listen deeply and respect each person as a fellow Buddha with immense potential. I am consistently encouraged by how Ikeda Sensei views everyone he meets as a brother and sister, and I hope to cultivate the same magnanimous heart to truly cherish others.
Ikeda Sensei encourages us, “In this saha world filled with suffering,” we cannot enjoy ourselves if our life force is weak. That’s why we need to exert ourselves in Buddhist practice to bring forth our inner Buddhahood and strengthen our life force. With a strong life force, we can calmly and enjoyably ascend the hilly path of life.
“The countless hardships and challenges we experience will be transformed into something that adds to our joy in life, like a pinch of salt that enhances the flavour of sweets.”
As we head towards 2030 – the Soka Gakkai’s centennial – I am determined to live as a lion-hearted disciple of Ikeda Sensei, continue expanding my life and to prove the power of this practice, and create an inclusive environment wherever I am, so that everyone can advance and shine just as they are, without judgement or discrimination.
(Adapted from Soka Times, July 2025 issue)
