Good evening everyone,

I am Sonal Lohia and growing in this beautiful garden of Soka from past 6 years. I deeply connected to
faith since 2016 due to challenges with my elder son’s behaviour and took to it as my lifeline. Despite
opposition from my husband, my faith and practice developed over the next year and I started taking
more responsibility in gakkai. With complete support of my senior leaders and guidance, I understood
my mission as bodhisattva of the earth and strove with all my might along with all my members with the
single-minded determination to raise members and to work for their happiness and happily took the
responsibility of block, distt and chapter along with the Sunshine Chorus Special Group in 2018.
Through faith I could understand the importance of karma in life and I determined to challenge the most
difficult one, “to reunite with my in-laws and strive for a harmonious family”.

My very first victory came in the form of my husband’s change in attitude toward my practice. He not
only started supporting my practice by taking care of the home and kids while I was engaged in gakkai
activities but also agreed to have the Gohonzon enshrined in our home.

Toward the inaugural of two citadels in 2019 and having got the opportunity to sing for Sensei in Ikeda
Auditorium, despite facing immense health issues, I mustered all the courage to attend all my meetings.
Chanting long hours of Daimoku and meeting all the campaign targets became a joyful and memorable
experience of my life. Based on Sensei’s guidance I challenged my limits to chant Daimoku of vow and
studied with 20 members in my chapter to finally stand as sensei’s true disciple while performing at the
inauguration of mentor memorial hall. One illness after another attacked me but each time my faith
gave me the strength to fight and win over them all. I was diagnosed with Tinnitus (24hrs ringing in the
ear) for which there is no cure in medical science. I made a strong determination to take complete
responsibility of my health and exerted more in faith. I did not miss a single meeting on the ground of
my health and home visited members as much as I could and conducted dialogues of conviction. On the
day of 1st AGM at SBTG, due to my high life state I forgot the ringing of my ears which was an actual
proof of how important one’s life state is!! Thus, I learned the way to handle it by engaging myself,
joyfully in gakkai activities and till date I am managing and having not much complications, whereas 2yrs
back doctor suggested me surgery.

Pandemic had hit hard on me as the relationship karma with my husband had resurfaced. With the seior
leader’s guidance, My prayers had transformed my heart so much that I had no complaints towards my
situation. Also, Surprisingly my mother-in-law called me and expressed her wish to shift with us
permanently…my ears ringing with joy…. I warm heartedly welcomed them. Shifting of my in laws with
us during the lockdown was the greatest test of my own human revolution that I won through as
there was a great transformation in my mil’s behaviour towards me. I could see every guidance of
sensei I based my life during this time manifested in my environment and it was joy of chanting NMHRK
that had flown like a clear beautiful stream in my life to win over my challenges and wonderfully balance
in all the spheres of my life. Internal shift within me also transformed my relation with my husband and I
stood courageously as sensei’s sunshine… undeterred and happy. During Covid I reached out to all
me,bears and fighted with spirit to cherish every life not only me but all the leaders of ATS advantage
chapter reported victory and shared their experience in 2020.
In 2021 before I lost my mother-in-law to a sudden illness, I completely transformed my relationship
karma, as she acknowledged me and my efforts as not only part of the family but also as the Sun of the
family illuminating all around me. Still feeling overwhelmed with emotions, I went into low life state, but
This time my husband encouraged me to overcome my emotions and participate in my Gakkai activities.
I and my husband together chanted 40 days for MIL for her eternal peace and also prayed for the lives of
near ones and family members of members in the chapter lost in covid.

Life never stops throwing challenges one after another. Severe helth karma surfaced my FIL suggested
bypass surgery with 90% blockage in both arteries , my SIL 14yr old son detected with bone TB , urgent
surgery which could lead to complication or could be fatal for his life also and I was suffering from
frozen shoulder all at the same time.. No complain towards the situation but I was anxious. myseniors in
faith guided me that every work is the manifestation of the law so deeply believe in the power of
NMHRK and chant with the life state of a buddha. I am happy to report that kosen rufu option emerged
for FIL- natural bypass, no surgery as he wanted, surgery of my SIL son was successful with no
complication, today ,,both are healthy and enjoying their life. With support from my Enviornment I too
got recovered and in better health than before. My attitude to see my health challenges is changed.. My
life which was dependent and easily swayed by circumstances before the practice becomes the
wellspring of creativity after practice.
As I say life always keep on throwing challenges… so in 2021 we decided to celebrate our parents 50 th
wedding anniversary in 2022 that’s why also decided to renovate our parents house. Same decision
became a year long challenge with our relatives as they opposed the construction and also…. . For me it
became more difficult as I have to travel frequently to see the work and also see how people can go to
their low self esteem… in my daimoku I used to fight everyday to expand my heart and chant for them. I
also took responsibility to invite all of them for our parents wedding anniversary coz I knew I can do it as
I am chanting for them. I joyfully , respectfully invited them but they refused to join the celebration.
They have done this before also … so this time I was not worried and was sure that they will join at the
end. I am very happy to report you all that after a year of fight our parents house is renovated and we
all spend wonderful winters together as family after 6yrs .,.anniversary celebrations was like ceremony
in the air …where my parents enjoyed to their fullest, attended by almost everyone and appreciated by
every guest as they all felt the warmth and compassion …. Me and my younger brother did not wanted
this celebration because of the spoiled relation only with one family . But a year long struggle looked
completely worth when my mother said “mere bachchon ne mujhe swarg yahi dikha diya” . Together as
family we not only became strong but others could also see our truth .last year my daimoku was less but
I was determined to creat an experience and I am happy that I could live to the spirit of cherishing every
single individual as sense is disciple …my both brothers are strong and decisions maker .. I am little
opposite but I could walk along with them this time because of the training we go through in gakkai …
and feeling joyful not burdened.
Today, with the fresh departure, in the Spirit of Oneness with my Mentor and working alongside
unitedly with my Chapter, I determine to make great strides in Kosen Rufu by nurturing Capable People
and I will ensure the Victory and the Power of the Law to be experienced by each member and to do my
utmost HR to develop a “vast heart".
Though my story is ordinary but I am determined to make my journey beautiful so that my own life
become an example for others.
Thank you