Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo transformed Kasia Paszkiewicz’s family situation and career prospects

I met Nichiren Buddhism eleven years ago. I wasn’t really looking for a religion, but I was friends with an SGI-UK member and she helped me to connect to the practice of Nichiren Buddhism. I was impressed by how she dealt with a very painful situation and by her strong attitude. She did not complain at all and her example gave me a different view of the world.

I’m originally from Poland and, to begin with, I struggled with SGI-UK meetings because I thought my English was not very good. I had a tendency to compare myself with other people all the time and thought that I was not good enough. I developed more confidence through my daily practice and doing SGI activities. I decided to focus on developing my unique talents and strengths, rather than only on what I was not good at.

I received my Gohonzon in 2 December 2007. I learnt a lot through supporting other people, helping organise SGI meetings and studying Buddhist guidance. Everything had a big impact on me. They changed my heart and the bad relationships I had within my family.

My parents got divorced when I was a child and my sister went to live with my mother, while I stayed with my father. I had difficult relationship with my mother, feeling as if she had rejected me.

Now my mother and I enjoy the best relationship. I asked her to forgive me, which she did a long time ago. She tells me every day that she loves me. I can see now that I used to be so selfish, young and stupid.

Through being part of the SGI, I have transformed my heart and life

I believe that this is one of the major benefits from my Buddhist practice. It’s amazing!

My work life has also changed. I used to clean for a living but this work stopped because of various reasons and it took me a year to find new work, despite constant job hunting and courses I took. I became very low and I was supported by SGI-UK members, which was very important for me to have a breakthrough.

In 2014, I began to clean for Eurostar on a zero-hour contract. After one year, I was given a full-time position as a cleaner. Then I was asked me to become a host serving food and drinks to customers in the Business Lounge. I had to wake up at 2am, as my shift began at 4am. I was expected to be ready to welcome guests, neatly dressed in my uniform and make-up at this time in the morning.

Going to SGI-UK meetings in the evening became difficult, however, my friend who supported me at the beginning of my Buddhist practice encouraged me that going to meetings would help all areas of my life.

After six months, I became a receptionist in the lounge and eventually, owing to my diligent attitude to my work, I was asked to mentor new employees. As I’m the only person in my workplace who does not speak French, many of my colleagues thought that I shouldn’t be given this new role. I was upset by this, but I knew that through my Buddhist practice my life would grow limitlessly. Whenever anyone tells me that I can’t do something because I am not capable enough, I can feel my mentor SGI President Daisaku Ikeda encouraging me to do my best.

In the end, I had an amazing victory. The company sent me to college to study team leadership skills, which was the first time they had paid for anyone to take such a course. It lasted one year and I continued working at the same time as a Team Leader in Business Lounge.

Through my study and Buddhist activities, I began to develop the belief that everyone in my workplace was a Buddha and deserving of respect. After this, the things began to develop very naturally. My company paid for me to learn French and let me choose the language school. Since then, I have taken on even more new responsibilities in the Business Lounge.

I know that I will have challenges in the future, but I am confident that with my Buddhist practice I can transform any situation and make the impossible possible. ●