By Briah Anson 
[Excerpted from the March 3, 2000, World Tribune] 

Twenty-seven years ago, all I knew about Buddhism was the phrase: Nam Myoho-renge-kyo. Since then I have built a wonderful life by expanding my Buddhist practice. It's as if the wheels of all possible directions always took me in the direction of happiness. 

My partner Lorie and I chanted every day of our two-week vacation in Italy. We also introduced many people to the practice. On our way home, we were booked for a non-stop flight from Amsterdam to Minneapolis. 

I have always been comfortable flying. My father was a pilot and later the president of an air claims insurance agency. But for some reason, I did not want to board this plane. Lorie got on, and at the last moment I also boarded. 

About two hours out of Amsterdam, there was an explosion and the plane dipped about 10 feet. I turned to Lorie and said, "This is serious, let's start chanting." There was no word from the captain, but the "Fasten Seat Belts" sign came on. 

We were over the Atlantic Ocean with another five hours to go. My worse fear is to die in a plane crash. 

Minutes later, another explosion and another big drop. The captain was taking the plane down to a much lower altitude. To make it safer for a crash landing? The emergency lighting in the plane went out. The descent was so quick that I felt the difference in the pressure between my ears and the cabin. Two more explosions followed. 

Because my dad investigated airplane crashes, I know the sequence of events in crashes. I began to chant with my entire being. This daimoku might be my last. Every daimoku had the full power of my life in it. 

Passages from the Gosho and Daisaku Ikeda filled my mind, encouraging me to go to a deeper place — a place of No Fear. 

"Life is the most precious of all treasures." (Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p. 955) 

"For one who summons up his faith and chants Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with the profound insight that now is the last moment of his life ... After his death, a thousand Buddhas will extend their hands to free him from falling into the evil paths." (Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p. 217) 

"The most important thing is our state of life at each moment." 

These guidances welled forth like a deep geyser in my life. 

The captain announced that we were turning back and began dumping fuel over the ocean. 

That was the last we heard from him for hours. In that timeless vortex, I saw the faces of the people that I had known in this practice for the last 27 years. I felt deep appreciation for my family, and for the person I loved most. 

Suddenly, I no longer feared death. I found myself chanting for the protection and enlightenment of everyone on the plane. 

To my left a man with the look of sheer terror put his head between his knees and cry. I didn't know then that he was seeing 15-foot flames coming from one of the engines! 

I told Lorie how happy I was that we were together. That made her cry. 

Even if the future was only as long as the next second, I would face it in the highest life-condition possible. 

The flight attendants tried not to look distressed, but you see it in their faces. 

After about an hour of chanting and experiencing a state of tremendous confidence and joy, I knew somehow that we were out of danger. An hour later, the captain announced we would land soon and the landing would be a hard one. 

We slammed down on the runway but the plane came to a safe stop. You never heard so many happy people in your life! ... Just to be alive! 

We were re-routed home via Oslo. By the time we boarded again, we were exhausted and traumatized. 

I chanted again for everyone on that flight to erase the residue of trauma and enjoy a smooth safe flight. I chanted for at least two hours this way and the flight was peaceful, quiet, and enjoyable. 

I had a feeling of clarity, lightness, and deep appreciation for life. 

Daisaku Ikeda wrote: "Faith is concerned with the revitalization of life itself. Whether what is happening is good or bad, only with faith can one find infinite meaning in each event." (Unlocking the Mysteries of Birth and Death, p. 94) 

I want to thank each of you who through your actual proof, continue to inspire me to take one more step toward my own happiness and that of others. 

Braih Anson, 
St. Paul, Minn.