Step by Step Along the Right Path Until My Last Breath
Ms. Swarna Padmini Delgoda
Sri Lanka Dharma Center
Good morning. Everyone, please guide me.
My name is Swarna Padmini Delgoda. I come from the island nation of Sri Lanka, known as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean. I have the privilege of serving as the general manager of the Sri Lanka Dharma Center and the chairperson of the Rissho Kosei Dhamma Foundation. I see myself as a humble instrument of the Buddha, dedicating my life to his service. In fact, standing before you today feels like a miracle arranged by the Buddha himself!
First allow me to give you some insight into my early life. I was born as the fifth child in a large and happy family with six children. I have three sisters and two brothers. When I was only six years old, tragedy struck. Our father, the pillar of our home, passed away from typhoid fever. His death pushed me into deep sadness and fear, and for a long time it felt as if my whole world had collapsed. That early loss left a deep mark on my heart and shaped the way I grew up.
When my older siblings had almost finished their schooling, my mother decided to send me to a Catholic boarding convent, as I was unable to travel to and from school on my own. I enjoyed my boarding school life so much that I did not even want to go home during school holidays. My mother, worried that I might change my religion, then moved me from the Catholic convent to a Buddhist school. This sudden change had a profound impact on what would otherwise have been a very different career path. However, supported by teachers and friends, I found joy in baking cakes and sweets during the holidays. I would constantly wonder, “How can I make this taste even better?” or “How can I make the person eating this smile?” This childhood passion—my desire to make someone happy—became the driving force that opened doors in my future.
At the age of twenty-five, I was fortunate to secure a job at a well-known biscuit company, Maliban Biscuit Manufactories. Little did I know at the time this would be a life-changing opportunity. I started as a supervisor and worked very hard, driven by my curiosity. In time, I was given many opportunities to visit biscuit factories abroad to learn new technologies, and I spent many days developing new products. In recognition of my hard work, I was promoted to factory manager, a rare achievement for a woman at that time.
During this period, I also met my wonderful husband. In our entire life together, we never had a heated argument or exchanged harsh words. Our careers were fulfilling, we were blessed with a beloved son, and we built a happy family.
However, in 1989, Sri Lanka experienced violent political conflict between government forces and anti-government groups. Gunshots and explosions filled the streets. We lived in what was called The Age of Fear, and life could be lost at any moment. At work, because of my position as a manager, I began to feel targeted. Realizing I could not protect my son’s future, I made the painful decision to resign from the job I loved.
Although it was difficult to leave my husband and son behind, I traveled to Melbourne, Australia, for safety at the suggestion of family friends. Thanks to my English skills and work experience, I soon found a job in Melbourne and before long, I was able to bring my son to Australia and enroll him in a private school. As life became stable again, a question grew in my heart: What can I do to ensure we live in peace from now on?
In 1993, when the situation in Sri Lanka improved, I decided to return. I left my son, then a university student, in Australia and reunited with my husband. Together, we opened a shop stocked with a wide variety of party supplies and planned events for birthdays and weddings. Since such shops were rare in Sri Lanka back then, the business took off in no time.
One regular customer to the shop was Mr. Gamini Chandrasekara, who was the leader of what was then the liaison office of Rissho Kosei-kai of Sri Lanka. He often invited me to visit his home, which served as the liaison office, to see their activities. After many requests, I finally agreed, and one day I took a friend with me to visit his home. There, I saw something I will never forget for the rest of my life. It was a statue of Shakyamuni Buddha standing upright.
In Sri Lanka, the heartland of Theravada Buddhism, we usually see the Buddha seated in meditation. But this Buddha was standing and appeared to be about to take a step forward to save us. The realization that there is a Buddha who does not just sit and wait, but comes to meet us, filled my heart with warmth and joy.
Driven by my own curiosity, I began to study the life and teachings of Founder Nikkyo Niwano through his books published in English. There, I found the answer to the question I had been asking myself for a long time: What can I do for peace? Then in 1998, I formally joined Rissho Kosei-kai, convinced that this was the Truth I had been seeking.
The more I learned, the more hope grew inside me. I developed a strong desire to be like the Founder, to make people happy, and to offer my life to the Buddha. I decided to close my thriving business and dedicate my time to dissemination work. People around me tried to dissuade me, saying it was a waste, but I had no hesitation. I felt that enriching people’s hearts by sharing the teachings was far more valuable than making money through business. From then on, I set a rule for myself to completely eliminate negative phrases such as “I can’t,” “It’s impossible,” and “I don’t know how” from my mouth and my mind.
In 2010, the Sri Lanka Dharma Center was officially established, and the first minister, Rev. Yoshihisa Yamamoto, appointed me as general manager. He used to tell me from time to time, “Mrs. Delgoda, the precious life of the Buddha lives within each and every one of us.” These words changed my entire perspective. I realized that just as my life is precious, the life of every person in front of me is equally sacred.
However, the path of dissemination was not easy. In Sri Lanka, a country with a strong Theravada following, we faced criticism from temples and local residents for spreading the Mahayana teachings of Kosei-kai. A particularly significant obstacle we faced was the difficulty of obtaining corporate registration. Since we had not received official recognition as a religious organization from the Sri Lankan government, we found it difficult to even obtain a long-term visa for the minister to stay in Sri Lanka.
During this time, I decided to practice greeting the Buddha within every person, not only by using words but through my actions. I continued to join my hands in prayer toward officials who opposed us and neighbors who criticized us. Perhaps that prayer was heard. A path opened for us to register as a nongovernmental organization (NGO), and our legal status was finally granted. I deeply believe this was not achieved through human power, but through the power of the Buddha within each one of us calling out and being heard.
Since 2015, our mission has centered on home-based hoza, also known as “circles of compassion.” These are small gatherings held in members’ homes, where people come together to share their joys, worries, and life experiences. The warmth of these meetings has inspired many across Sri Lanka to step forward and say they want to be hoza leaders too. Today, about eighty dedicated leaders are guiding these circles, helping the spirit of compassion spread from home to home and heart to heart.
As one of the home-based hoza leaders, I too host hoza monthly, on the twenty-fourth, which is the day I had the Buddha statue installed in my home altar. The wonderful thing about home-based hoza is that because it takes place in a relaxed atmosphere, people can easily open up about the worries deep inside their hearts.
One day, while listening to others, I had a sudden realization. It was a moment of self-reflection. I asked myself, How grateful have I truly been to my husband all this time? My husband, who passed away ten years ago, was a quiet man who always accepted my strong spirit with kindness. Whether I was going to Australia, returning home, joining Kosei-kai, or telling him I wanted to quit my business to devote myself to dissemination, he always supported me with a gentle nod. Through hoza, I have reflected on my past self and can now offer even greater gratitude to my husband.
Now, at the age of eighty-four, I am more passionate about spreading the Dharma than ever. Peace in Sri Lanka— and peace in the world—is not something that someone, somewhere, will create for us. It begins when each of us lets the Buddha within our own hearts shine, and when we respect the Buddha within the person next to us. As taught by our second minister, Rev. Suzuki, I will continue to deeply appreciate the importance of hoza. The growth of these small circles of compassion is the true path to peace. Moving forward, I will continue to share the teachings with many people through home-based hoza.
There is a proverb in Sri Lanka that says: “Even if the bullock cart is slow, if the path is right, it will reach its destination.” There is no need to rush. We simply need to stay positive and walk the right path. Showing this attitude to our members is my practice.
In closing, I will cherish the life I have here and now and, offering my deepest gratitude to the blessings of the great universe and nature, I will continue to walk this noble path of dissemination steadily until my very last breath. Under the guidance of our current minister, Rev. Akagawa, I will strive diligently so that the beautiful lotus flowers of the Dharma will continue to bloom in all their splendor in the land of Sri Lanka.
Thank you very much for listening.
