As a child, Samirah Gnangbe, lived through a civil war. From that moment on, she became someone who paved the way for others as a second-language learner and Ph.D. student in engineering. Samirah shares how she challenged herself each step of the way through chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. 

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Resources:

Discussions on Youth, new edition, pp. 8, 25

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol 1, p. 4

Rhonda Windham, of Los Angeles, was already an NCAA basketball champion and trailblazing WNBA General Manager beforeencountering Buddhism. She shares what practicing Buddhism taught her that all her success did not—how to look inward with unflinching honesty and lead with her heart.

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It’s natural to want to look away from the inevitable reality of death but Buddhism teaches that death is an alternate phase of life and makes up a larger universal cycle. To understand death is to deepen our understanding of and appreciation for life.

Today’s guest, John Plummer, of Cold Spring, NY, shares how facing his fear of loss improved his relationships and deepened his work as a film and TV writer. 

References:

The New Human Revolution, vol. 24, pp. 177–78

A Piece of Mirror and Other Essays, pp. 79, 83–84.

Leave of Grass by Walt Whitman.

“Like the Sun Rising,” Journey of Life: Selected Poems of Daisaku Ikeda

Unlocking the Mysteries of Unlocking Birth and Death, p. 104.

The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 1, revised edition.

Chip Grossman, of Santa Monica, always thought spirituality and business were opposing goals. It wasn’t until he encountered SGI Nichiren Buddhism that he realized their deep ties. Today, Chip shares how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helped him develop the courage and strength to go after his goals and build unshakable happiness.

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Resources:
The New Human Revolution, vol. 9, pp. 272–73
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 637.
The New Human Revolution, vol. 5, pp. 27­–28
The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 2, revised edition, pp. 185-87.

Radhika Rao, of San Francisco, tried Buddhism because she was jealous of a friend’s happiness. Since then, she’s living a life beyond anything she had dreamed. Today she shares her perspective on life as a theater teaching artist and Buddhist.

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Resource:

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 748

The Flowering of Creative Life Force

The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 1, revised edition, pp. 165–66

Daily life throws a lot at us. When our state of life is low, it can be easy to get wrapped up in complaint. Buddhism teaches that caring for others helps us see beyond our problems, having a more expansive view of our lives with deeper appreciation and happiness. 

Today’s guest, Daeseon Kim, of Queens, N.Y., shares how tying his dreams to a deeper purpose helped him move to the U.S. and advance in his career as a physical therapist.

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Resources:

Discussions on Youth, p. 336.

How can we maintain hope for a peaceful world? Today we hear from three college students and recent graduates about how they create hope on a daily basis and practical steps we can take to create peace.

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Resources:

My Dear Friends in America, fourth edition, pp. 229–39.
Winter Turns to Spring quote

Buddhability Shorts is a monthly series where we break down a Buddhist concept or common life challenge we’ve touched on in an interview. Today we’re talking about how to build friendships that last.

To ask a question about the basics of Buddhism, you can email us at [email protected]

Resource:

The science of why friendships keep us healthy
Discussions on Youth, new edition, pp. 37–48.

What do you do when you’re told you’re not cut out for something? Buddhism teaches that the only person who can determine that is you. Wayne Thomas Jr., of Los Angeles, always knew he was an artist but his environment told him otherwise. He shares the story of how he proved them wrong.

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Resources:
Learning From the Gosho: The Eternal Teachings of Nichiren Daishonin, p. 75
A New Humanism: The University Addresses of Daisaku Ikeda

Kaitlin Todd, of Gretna, Louisiana, was enjoying her early 20s and taking the scenic route to her dreams. Everything changed when she learned she was pregnant. That’s when she used her Buddhist practice to go for her goals and create a stable life for her son.

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Resources:

“Opening of the Eyes” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 242.

Joseph Aguilar, of Leavenworth, Kansas, set out on a personal journey to find a life philosophy that met three specific conditions. Through that process, they uncovered their true self and found the courage to undo years of repression.

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References: 

“Reply to Kyo’o,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 412.