Victory report by future division member: Aarush Bhat at BSG AGM.. Vth standard – DPS Indrapuram
Visully impaired – blind in both eyes since birth .. hearing him speak with great confidence and without paper is a very inspiring experience itself.. However.. am happy to share his text with you
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"The important thing in practicing the Daishonin's Buddhism is having courage. Courage is what makes us Lion like champions.
Ohayo Gozaimas! (Good morning in Japanese) I am Aarush Bhat studying in class 5th practicing this beautiful philosophy since the last 3 years. This wonderful philosophy has given me courage to accept that I am a boy who is visually impaired with no vision in my both eyes, but having no vision has not stopped my world. Top of FormBottom of FormBefore encountering this practice I was always fearful, shy, and dependent and remained in my own shell. Many fears haunted me such as falling down, riding school bus, eating lunch or going to toilet all alone. Other kids used to bully me because of my impairedness .When the entire class would write with pencil, I would write with a stylus that would hurt my fingers. Even wearing shoes was a big problem for me. Most of the time I used to come back home without wearing shoes or with bleeding toes because of wearing wrong shoes. All these challenges started making me feel frustrated and I used to cry in front of my mother and questioned her about my limitations .Eventually I started believing that I am a differently abled Child.
It was this timein2011, when my mother introduced me to this life changing philosophy. When I attended my first cubs meeting, I learnt that the basic of this practice is doing regular gongyo, studying gosho and sensei's guidance. This seemed a big challenge. My mother and I prayed for this and she got wisdom to record gongyo in my mobile. I heard it regularly and memorized it. The following Gosho Passage gave me immense strength. I Quote,"Suffer what is there to suffer, enjoy what is there to enjoy. Regard both suffering and joy as facts of life and continue chanting Nam Myo Ho Renge Kyo no matter what happens" Unquote.
Daimoku gave me immense hope and courage. I became regular in my morning and evening gongyo, joyfully participated in all Gakkai meetings. Every day I ask my mother to share one gosho passage with me, I would listen to it, write it in my gosho diary and memorise it Practicing these gosho passages became my daily life and I started sharing this beautiful philosophy with everyone. The fear started vanishing and I became more confident. I started focusing on my potential rather than on my limitations. My world outside was still dark but within me there was a bright light of hope and I could clearly see my strengths. Working on laptop and mastering my braille skills made me more independent and faster in my studies. My friends started calling me Technology Master. Earlier the teachers who found it difficult to teach me now guide and encourage me to participate in all school activities confidently. Now I play Cricket, swim and participate in all games.
I always wanted to become the Prefect of the school for which I have been applying for past three years and being rejected. This hurt me and I started comparingmyself with other students. Sensei's Guidance from Bodhi tree gave me a new direction, I quote
"Before comparing yourself with others, win the battle with yourself. Strive to be better today than yesterday, and better tomorrow than today." Unquote.
In2014, I was allowed to apply for becoming a Prefect, but I needed to clear three rounds of interviews. I was anxious but my seniors guided me to chant and pray for my best potential to emerge. The first question that was asked was "What I liked about my school and what needs to be improved in our school." I replied that I liked the teaching pattern of using smart board in the school and that there should be a dust bin in the play grounds. My teachers responded excellent idea which school has not recognised till date. The next question was if my friend and boys of another class get into a fight, whose side I will take and why. My response was that I will correct the person who is wrong, as a good friend is that who tells us about our weaknesses and help us to improve on those. The Last question was what was my biggest strength and weakness, I replied that my strength is that I am independent and my weakness is I want to become more independent. This answer really surprised my teachers. I am happy to report to my beloved mentor and everyone that I have been selected as a Prefect and my principal announced my name as the future star of the school. My name has also been published in the Hindustan Times as an upcoming young leader.
In an online Group of Parents of visually impaired children, I could encourage one family with Sensei's Guidance that always presses me to move forward. I quote, "Reality is harsh. It can be cruel and ugly. Yet no matter how much we grieve over our environment and circumstances nothing will change. What is important is not to be defeated, to forge ahead bravely. If we do this, a path willopen Daimoku has boundless power. It is main source of all victories." I unquote. I am happy to report not only the boy but the whole group of 30 parents got encouraged with this guidance and started asking me about my mentor and about this Buddhist philosophy. Two parents out of them have started chanting also.
In this new era of worldwide Kosen Rufu I selected Japanese as a language in my school because of my earnest desire to meet my mentor by May 3rd 2015 and interact with him without any translator. I would like to report that I have scored A+ and can communicate well in Japanese. Everyday throws a new Challenge for me but through daimoku I win every day. I used to ask my mother why I was different .Now I know, I am different so that I can show the great power of Nam Myo Ho Renge Kyo.
Still I am dependent on others for my mobility but I am determined never to be defeated by my limitations and expand my capabilities based on faith in this practice. I determine to do home visit, teach gongyo to my fellow members and make my mentor proud.
