Wherever I Am
By Kenneth Wong
Central Chapter Vice Men’s Leader
Shaughnessy District Leader
Vancouver
In the beginning of 2022, we were introduced to that year’s theme for SGI—The Year of Youth and Dynamic Progress. At that time, I told myself that the youth division would take care of the first part of the theme. To me, “dynamic progress” seemed to mean that we were going to advance further than ever before; we were going to aim high and soar into the sky! So in January 2022, I set two big specific goals.
One goal was to help my mom, who had Alzheimer’s disease, get into a long-term care facility. With her deteriorating condition, she would need increased medical care. My dad had been her caregiver, but when he sadly passed away the previous year, the urgency to admit Mom to a facility increased. The place we wanted for her had a three-year waitlist. Even so, we made it our first choice. My first goal was simple—to get Mom into the senior care home of our choice as soon as possible.
The second goal was to support our daughter Miyuki’s university application. We chanted to the Gohonzon[1] for a place where she would be happy. Eventually, she chose Soka University of America (SUA) in California. Her brother Shinichi is an alumnus, so we were very excited when she made that choice. We certainly recognized the inner transformation that took place in our son as a result of attending SUA.
Achieving acceptance would be an enormous challenge, however, because each year they only accept about 120 students from all around the world. Furthermore, we anticipated many more applicants in 2022 because COVID-19 had affected enrolment in the past couple of years. In addition, the tuition and living expenses in California would be very high. Nonetheless, we made a determination to overcome these obstacles.
With these two big goals in mind, we began to chant a lot more than before.
As a post-secondary educator myself, I am a strong believer in Soka education, which focuses on cultivating each student to bring out their innate wisdom, courage and compassion. I have always aspired to be part of Soka University. My wife Kyoko knew that very well, and so in mid-January, she encouraged me to apply for the master’s program at Soka University of America. At first, I said, “No way!” The program admits only six to eight individuals who are highly qualified. I was comfortable at my school at the time. Taking a leave of absence would mean a drop in my income, and, of course, we would have to pay for two sets of tuition fees! Besides, at 59, I thought I was too old.
Immediately, I turned to President Ikeda’s writings and found this passage from The Third Stage of Life – Aging in Contemporary Society. In a dialogue with a group of correspondence students which included older individuals who were taking courses at Soka University of Japan, President Ikeda said:
I was inspired…by one of founding Soka Gakkai President Tsunesaburo Makiguchi’s favourite sayings: “Learning is light and ignorance is darkness.” Everyone deserves the right to learn. Learning is a beautiful thing; it is light. Through learning, each of us creates a brilliant legacy of our youth, our studies, and our efforts that stays with us and enriches us forever.[2]
With that, I thought maybe the “Year of Youth” did apply to me after all; I would have to unearth that youthful spirit to keep pace with the young students. After giving it some very serious thought, I decided to take a leap of faith. By that time, the deadline to apply was only four weeks away.
I felt exuberant while assembling the application package alongside my daughter. Suddenly, I was doing research and writing essays once again! Of course, I also started chanting even more. Instead of just chanting to get into SUA, I chanted with a bigger purpose—for a way to allow me to practise Soka education, no matter what. So now, our family had three ambitious goals.
After submitting the two application packages, we had to wait a few weeks for the decision from SUA. This meant we had more time to continue chanting. Time went by quickly, and one day, an email from SUA arrived for my daughter. With much anxiety and excitement, we opened the attached letter together. She was accepted with a very generous scholarship. We were all jumping for joy. We just knew Miyuki would be in the best possible place for the next four years.
Kenneth and his family at his son Shinichi’s commencement
ceremony at Soka University of America in 2018
Finally, I received an email from SUA. I was not accepted, but I was put on a waitlist, and the final decision would be announced by May 31. So I said to myself, Yes! I’m still in the game! And I have another six weeks to chant. Meanwhile, unexpected benefits began to appear. A university in Thailand, with which I had been collaborating, invited me to visit in May to deliver lectures and to discuss international initiatives for our students. The invitation came from the Director of International Relations, Dr. Usanee Kulintornprasert, with whom I had been working closely since our first encounter in 2018. Shortly before my departure, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that she is an SGI member and the national women’s division leader of SGI Thailand.
Then, a university in Mexico invited me to their campus in Guadalajara to teach for four weeks in June, with all expenses paid. I had never been to that city, and I was very excited about such an immense opportunity; plus, the additional income would certainly help alleviate the pressure from our tough financial situation. As I prepared for these teaching trips, I continued to chant for the best results for my own SUA application.
An email from SUA arrived on May 31. I was not accepted. While I was disappointed, I was not disheartened. I know the Gohonzon chose the best answer to my prayer, which was to find a way to allow me to practise Soka education, no matter what. President Ikeda often reminds us that our chanting is never wasted. Everything happens for a reason. He also says, “If you lose today, win tomorrow.”[3]
A week later, I was down in Mexico. As I focused on the teaching assignment, I continued to chant for my mom’s long-term care application. While in Guadalajara, Mom’s condition took a turn for the worse, and I felt helpless being so far away. She really needed the professional care that a senior care home could provide.
One thing I love doing when travelling is to visit the local SGI centres. One day before class, I decided to go to the SGI México Culture Centre in Guadalajara. Even though it was closed due to COVID-19, I did morning gongyo[4] outside, right on the sidewalk. When strangers walked by, I would pause chanting and greet them in Spanish saying, “Hola! Buenos dias!” I felt invigorated, and I went on with my usual business for the day. When I returned to the hotel after class, I learned that my mom had been offered a room at the very facility that we had been chanting for! Although we had been told that the waitlist was three years long, it took only six months to get a place. I am happy to report that my mom settled in well, and we are able to visit her often.
In August 2022, I went down to SUA to send off my daughter. I felt a rush as I stepped onto the campus. I could I sense the warm compassion of my mentor, President Ikeda, who had founded the school. I also felt the pride of President Toda, whose dream it was to open a university, as well as that of President Makiguchi, who conceptualized Soka education.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of my chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.[5] I continue to marvel at the mystic power of daimoku.[6] When you chant with the greatest determination, obstacles will be overcome, and benefits—both conspicuous and inconspicuous—will appear. Even though I did not get into SUA, this entire experience helped me to deepen my faith.
As I said goodbye to Miyuki and drove away, I pondered President Ikeda’s message to the SUA Class of 2026. He described President Toda’s persistence in advocating for the latent potential of each learner:
Found in the depths of human life are potentialities that are as absolute as they are infinite. Each and every person has deep within a wellspring from which boundless hope, courage and wisdom may be drawn. And when summoned forth and manifest, we not only can realize our own happiness as individuals without fail but also achieve peace and prosperity for society itself. Such was his lifelong belief.[7]
Those powerful words will be my foundation as I work with my own students throughout the coming years. As a good friend reminded me, I may not be at Soka University, but wherever I am, that’s where Soka education exists.
Published in August 2023 New Century
[1] Gohonzon: The object of devotion in Nichiren Buddhism. It is the embodiment of the Law of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, expressing the life state of Buddhahood, which all people inherently possess. Go means “worthy of honour” and honzon means “object of fundamental respect.”
[2] Daisaku Ikeda, The Third Stage of Life: Aging in Contemporary Society (World Tribune Press, 2016), pp. 33-34
[3] https://www.daisakuikeda.org/sub/quotations/theme/success.html
[4] Gongyo: Literally, to “exert [oneself in] practice.” Generally speaking, gongyo refers to the practice of reciting Buddhist sutras in front of an object of devotion.
[7] https://www.soka.edu/about/our-stories/founders-message-welcome-undergraduate-class-2026-and-ninth-class-masters-program