Our young women's division members, whose lives sparkle with dazzling brilliance,
are the diamonds of Soka Gakkai. The realm of the Soka Gakkai and Nichiren
Daisonin's Buddhism is one where women are respected and valued to the
most.
(Photo & words by Daisaku Ikeda)
File 004: November 2006
Joan Heroza
(YWD Unit Leader)
Miss Joan Heroza, is a Young Women's Division unit leader of Makati Chapter,
she joined the Soka Gakkai International of the Philippines in March, 2005.
She accepted this faith because she was seeking for a philosophy of life,
that could as well change her karma and lead her to a truly secured and
happy life.
She is currently active in the road show of Sensei Ikeda's Happy Tales,
as well as in the Boys & Girls Division's activities and YWD Discussion
Meetings, into which she puts her greatest efforts and enjoys most.
with YWD members
Q & A Interview
Q1. Why did you join SGI?
I was born a non-Buddhist and grew up under very pious parents, but I had
some questions on life to which my former religion could not give satisfactory
answers. It was during this time that an officemate of mine introduced
me to the SGI and Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism. She explained to me the
Buddhist principle of the law of causality which sounded very convincing
to me and she also told me to chant "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo" if
I had any problem.
Since then I started chanting little by little. Then I faced a crucial
incident that made up my mind to join SGI; one very late night on my way
home from work together with the said officemate, I was almost abducted
by a group of men; at that crucial moment I cried out "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo",
and then I was safely released on the spot. After this incident she encouraged
me to join SGI, saying that it is now time to change such bad karma of
mine by fully practicing the Daishonin's Buddhism.
Q2. Please tell us about your experience that deepened your faith.
I have two experiences: One is familial, the other is financial.
After I joined SGI, my mother visited my apartment from the province. Because I had heard many stories that the gohonzon of a new member was harmed by his or her angry family, I was so afraid of the worst case that my mother would damage my gohonzon, for she is a very pious Catholic, that I even thought of rolling up my gohonzon to hide it. However, I decided to put my Gohonzon as usual after chanting so hard, praying that my gohonzon would be protected and my mother would understand my conversion. Although my mother did not ask about the gohonzon herself, I sensed that she actually wanted to, so I honestly told her about my conversion. She did not fully understand it, but still she accepted, and up to now respects what I believe. I am very grateful to the gohonzon and my mother.
Another experience is the Mindanao exchange meeting which was held last October. Although I knew I could not afford to buy the airplane ticket to Mindanao, I prayed hard to the gohonzon to join this meeting. Amazingly, I managed to make enough money and I was able to join the meeting. This is not the only case but whenever I need it, money comes to me so that I can join the SGI activities. Now I can also have my own room where I can put my gohonzon and invite the members and friends to meetings.
Q3. What are your ideals of the Philippines?
Years from now, I would likely see this country that is politically and economically stable. To achieve this, people must first discipline themselves and tap their inner human revolution instead of criticizing one another. The government should avoid greediness and should instill within themselves the need to reform their own lives.
Q4. How do you think SGI will contribute to these ideals?
Sensei Ikeda's peace proposals, I believe, is one of the many ways in which we could establish peace and happiness in this country. In order to change the destiny of our country, we should first change ourselves and realize the Buddha nature inherent within us.
Q5. Please tell us about your dream as a young woman.
I would like to have my own cooking business in the future, for I love
cooking very much. I also have a dream of giving my parents a nice house
as my present. Moreover, I want to have my own happy family.
