Buddhability

It can be hard to embrace ourselves when society often makes us feel otherwise. In this episode, we’re talking about how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo empowers us to appreciate and treasure every part of who we are.

Today’s guest, Joshua Thomas, of Portland, Oregon, shares how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helped him to live authentically, love his life and encourage others to do the same.

References:
The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 1, revised edition, p. 207.
The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 2, revised edition, pp. 335–36.
October 11, 2013, World Tribune, p. 9.

Daily life can feel like a roller coaster where we’re tossed around by the ups and downs of our health, school, family relationships and so on. Through chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, we can strengthen our life force and become people unswayed by our circumstances.

Today’s guest, Koda Jordet, of Fargo, North Dakota, shares how prioritizing his Buddhist practice, mental health and addiction recovery, helped him develop indestructible happiness.

References:

“Happiness in This World,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 681.

The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace,part 1, revised edition,pp. 5–6.

Buddhability Shorts is a series where we break down a Buddhist concept that we’ve touched on in an interview. Today, we’re talking about how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo brings out the characteristics needed to make authentic relationships that last.

To ask a question about the basics of Buddhism, you can email us at connect@buddhability.org

References:

The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 3, revised edition, pp. 106–07.

Discussions on Youth, pp. 39–40, 117–18, 283–84.

https://www.worldtribune.org/2023/overcoming-loneliness/ <accessed on March 28, 2024>.

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 Grassby 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.

Buddhability Shorts is a monthly series where we break down a Buddhist concept that we’ve touched on in an interview. This month, we’re talking about how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo elevates the inner state of life and brings forth the life force we need to accomplish our goals.

To ask a question about the basics of Buddhism, you can email us at connect@buddhability.org

References:

The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 1, revised edition, p. 35.

Discussions on Youth, p. 411.

https://www.worldtribune.org/2021/each-instant-contains-incredible-possibilities/ 

Experts say the U.S. is dealing with a serious “loneliness epidemic” as adults feel more isolated and alone than ever. How can Buddhism help us break out of our shell and find meaningful connection with others?

Today’s guest, Apoorvee Sawhney, of Denver, shares how studying Buddhism and chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helped her to overcome self-pity in order to graduate a Ph.D. program and start a career in academia.

References:

“On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, pp. 3–4

https://www.worldtribune.org/2021/challenging-times-are-opportunities-for-human-revolution/

Our daily lives can be challenging and we might be asking ourselves, “Is there anything more to life than sleeping, eating and going to a job I don’t like?” If you’re feeling burnt out, you’re not alone. But Buddhist practice can refresh us and help us lead fulfilling lives.

Today’s guest, Kyle Maharlika-Roper, of Miami, shares how he went from burnt out in an unfulfilling job to finally pursuing his childhood dream of art.

References:

The New Human Revolution, vol. 16.

The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 2, revised edition, pp. 392–393.

Do you ever feel like you’re not making any progress even though you’ve been trying to reach a goal for what feels like forever? Today’s guest, Hannah Doherty, of Los Angeles, shares how she broke through self-doubt and stagnation to find a job in her dream field, foster friendships and reach new heights as a dancer.

References:

The Light of Learning, p. 130.

July 11, 1997, World Tribune, p. 14.

Buddhability Shorts is a monthly series where we break down a Buddhist concept that we’ve touched on in an interview. This month, we’re talking about how Buddhist practice helps us to value our unique qualities and lead a purposeful life.

To ask a question about the basics of Buddhism, you can email us at connect@sgi-usa.org

References:

The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 2, revised edition, p. 335.

The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 1, revised edition, pp. 212–214.

Buddhism helps us to build a solid inner life that isn’t swayed by our circumstances. That strength is the key to having the confidence needed to take action toward our dreams.

Today’s guest, Christopher Robin Donaldson, of Denver, Colorado, shares how he went from passively waiting for his dreams to becoming a father, professional actor, husband, college graduate and homeowner.

References:

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin,vol. 1, p. 794

Soar Into the Skys of Hope, p. 70
Faith Into Action, p. 140

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

It’s natural to have doubt. The key, however, is whether we use our questions as fuel to seek out answers. Confidence in the power of Buddhist practices grows with time as you see actual proof of change in your life.

Today’s guest, Devesh Kumar, a medical student in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, shares how he tested Buddhism to see whether her could really make his impossible dreams a reality.

References:
Jan. 2, 1998, World Tribune, p. 11
Hope Is a Decision, p. 5
The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 1, revised edition, p. 126
The Buddha in Your Mirror, pp. 207–10

Whether we like it or not, we don’t exist in isolation. The interconnection of life means that when we change, our environment changes as well. 

Today’s guest, Heidi Hayashi, of Stratford, Conn., shares how finding the courage to live true to herself improved and deepened her family relationships.

References:

The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 2, revised edition p. 270

Buddhism Day by Day: Wisdom for Modern Life, p. 315

The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra, vol. 4, p. 20

Unlocking the Mysteries of Birth & Death

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

Buddhability Shorts are monthly episodes where we break down a Buddhist concept that we’ve touched on in an interview. This month, we’re talking about why Buddhist practice is neither simple altruism nor is it focused solely on ourselves.

To ask a question about the basics of Buddhism, you can email us at connect@sgi-usa.org

References:

The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 2, revised edition, pp. 239–241

The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 2, revised edition, pp. 229–230

The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 2, revised edition, pp. 227–229

This week we’re talking about dreams. How do we dream? How do we find purpose in our dreams? And if we have a clear dream, how we pursue it.

We’re speaking with two young Buddhists: one who learned how to open her life up to new possibilities and another who discovered deeper meaning in his dreams. Samantha Collins of St. Paul, Minnesota and Grady Tesch of New York City share how they discovered and followed their dreams.

References: 

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p.835

The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 2, revised edition, p. 173

Discussions on Youth, pp. 76-77

The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 3, revised edition, pp. 112-113

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 279

As we head into the final stretch of the year, we bring you the voices of several Buddhability listeners sharing appreciation for someone in their life.

References mentioned:

The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 1, pp. 66-68

Believing that we each possess limitless wisdom, courage and compassion—what we call Buddhability—can be a daily battle. Many of us impose limitations on ourselves, believing that we’re not capable of accomplishing our dreams and becoming happy.

Today’s guest, Daniel Sun, of Boston, shares how he used Buddhism to overcome his limiting beliefs and become an accomplished Harvard scientist and scholar. We discuss the key role chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and studying Buddhism played in his ability to shift his mindset.

Cheat Sheet:

7:20 Daniel tries Buddhism to get through graduate school

11:05 Dreaming of a research career in the U.S.

21:03 What Buddhism says about self-doubt

33:56 Fresh confidence to apply for a large grant

43:46 How studying maximizes the effects of Buddhist chanting

References mentioned:

A Piece of Mirror and Other Essays, pp. 39-43
The Hope-Filled Teachings of Nichiren Daishonin, p. 133
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, pp. 3–4
The Light of Learning, p. 130

Struggles are an unavoidable part of life. While it may seem counterintuitive to view them as opportunities, Buddhism teaches that we can use each problem in our life as fuel for our happiness. Today we’re discussing how overcoming challenges builds an unshakable and undefeated self.

Today’s guest, Sasha Lee, and influencer and TV personality in Hawaii, shares how she started to see that obstacles were opportunities for her growth and the powerful role a friend’s encouragement can play.

References mentioned
The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, Part 1, p. 170

We’re creating a special episode about gratitude with stories from listeners.

To submit, send a voice memo of no more than 1 minute to connect@sgi-usa.org sharing a quick story about someone you appreciate. It can be a small interaction with a stranger on the bus to a family member who’s been with you all your life. We want to showcase the variety of ways one person can make an impact. So, there’s no moment to share that is too big or too small. No need to share names in your voice memo—you can submit anonymously.

We’ll select a small assortment to share on an upcoming episode, so please submit only if you are comfortable having it shared on the podcast.

Today we share the news of Buddhist philosopher and Soka Gakkai International (SGI) President Daisaku Ikeda’s passing and the impacts of his life and work.

Fear and anger can be overpowering. Especially when they’re grounded in past and deeply personal experience. While our fears may feel justified they can also hold us back from accomplishing our goals and living a happy life. Today we’re talking about how to uproot those tendencies in our lives and transform them for our happiness.

Today’s guest, Krithi Byadgi, of San Francisco, shares how she used her Buddhist practice to transform her deep anger and fear into the courage and joy needed to strive for a harmonious family and her dream career.

References mentioned
Discussions on Youth, p. 410
“On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 4

Amid a painful reality that can’t be changed, like a family member’s terminal disease, how can we still create hope? Today we’re discussing how tapping into our Buddhability—the limitless wisdom, courage, and compassion we each possess—can help us transform our attitude, create a beautiful life, and accomplish our dreams amid a difficult reality.

Our guest is Jonathan Cheng, of New York City, who shares how he is courageously accomplishing his dreams as a filmmaker to honor his parents and fight for their eternal happiness.

Cheat Sheet:
7:52 Why Jonathan decided to start chanting
10:26 Developing confidence in college and finding your place
13:30 Starting your first post-college job
25:28 Navigating grief at the height of COVID
31:48 Finding meaning in our struggles
39:31 Finding courage to fight for your dreams

References mentioned:
Discussions on Youth, p. 26
“Letter to the Brothers,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 499
Hope is a Decision, p. 6

Today, we have for you the season finale of Buddhability Season 1, and we’re so excited to share some big updates about the show. 

We’ve just passed the three-year anniversary of launching Buddhability, and with it, a huge milestone, surpassing 1 million podcast downloads, and well over 100 episodes. Thank you for your support and dedication to sharing the show all this time.

Alongside this milestone, we’re welcoming a brand-new host who you’ll meet on today’s episode. Cassidy Bradford shares a little of her story and we discuss what we’ve loved about the podcast so far. Thank you for joining us along this journey and we’re looking forward to seeing you again later this fall.

Today, October 2nd, marks the three year anniversary since our launch! We are also celebrating a milestone- hitting 1 million downloads! To commemorate this, we're going to be closing out with an exciting season finale next week. Stay tuned. 

Here's today's question: How can Buddhism help me with this stress caused by chronic physical pain?  How can I be happy living with chronic illness? 

Buddhism teaches that falling to illness is not a form of failure or defeat. In fact illness can be an inspiration to bring out our best, most resilient selves.

References:

Here’s today’s question: Do I have to believe in chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo for it to work?

This is a question nearly every person who starts to chant has in the back of their mind. Unless spirituality or a chanting-like practice has already been part of your life for a while, it can feel very new and hard to believe in.

We want to approach this question from a few angles but first, to answer it directly: no, when you first start chanting, you do not have to believe in it or understand it for it to work. 

References:

Here's today's question: How can I set healthy boundaries that honor myself and others? 

One listener asked: “How can Buddhism help me and my family with setting boundaries? Setting boundaries at work seems easier than with family stuff.” 

Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo about our situation ensures that we make our decisions based on wisdom, courage and compassion, rather than trends or emotion.

References:

Here’s today’s question: What does Buddhism say about dealing with grief? Grief is something we all experience at some point in life.  One listener asked, “I've recently had a few folks die and I am trying to give myself space to have this new emotional experience but also be strong, move forward, help others and be happy. What should I do?”  Another listener wrote in, “What does Buddhism teach about grieving about sudden death and the trauma that comes with it?”   

Today we’ll discuss the Buddhist view that life and death are one.

References:

Here’s today's question, ”Can I be angry when I chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo?” It’s actually a combination of a few questions we received. One person asked, “Some days I feel powerful and determined. Some days I feel sad and cry. But lately, I've been furious and angry. Is it okay to be furious and angry in front of my Gohonzon?” And another person asked, “Is there a way I can use my anger for good?” So let's talk about anger and chanting.

References:

Here’s today’s question, “I’m starting a new job soon and I’m wondering if you could talk a little bit about stressful transitions in life?”  We actually got quite a lot of questions about work stress or challenging professional situations. We’ll answer the question and touch on what Buddhism says about work.

Here’s today’s question: I’m dealing with a really stressful relationship with someone close to me. Do you have any advice on what to do when someone just keeps getting under your skin?

Well first of all, who can’t relate to this one? Stress is an inevitable part of daily life, but when it manifests through a person, it tends to bring with it a whole host of other emotions – anger, frustration, blame, hopelessness, and feeling stuck in a cycle.

But Buddhism does offer some great perspective on relationships like this. Buddhist philosopher Daisaku Ikeda writes, “Our human relationships are like a mirror. So if you’re thinking to yourself, ‘If only so-and-so were a little nicer to me, I could talk to them about anything,’ then that person is probably thinking, ‘If only such-and-such would open up to me, I would be nicer to them.’ ... Therefore, you should make the first move to open the channels of communication.”

References:

Today we have two exciting announcements. First, we’re launching a new 7-day series called “Change Your Relationship with Stress.” From July 24 to August 1, you'll receive inspiration in your inbox each day about how to transform stress in nearly every area of your life from relationship stress and financial stress to work and family stress. Visit us at Buddhability.org and sign up for our email newsletter to be a part of it. 

Our second announcement: We’re launching a new summer podcast series, where we’ll answer your questions about Buddhism and life in mini podcast episodes. If you'd like to ask a question, just email us at connect@sgi-usa.org, or message us on Instagram. Feel free to send us a voice memo too! We might anonymously include it on the show. We'll kick off the series with this question, which inspired the stress series too: How can Buddhism help me deal with stressful relationships?

“Tips & Insights” is an episode series in which we introduce one Buddhist concept each month and share how it can be applied to your life!

Today’s episode is about suffering, an inescapable fact of life for all living beings, but one that Buddhism offers a refreshing and concrete perspective on.

References:

This week we're airing a rerun of one of our most popular episodes from June, 2021 with lawyer Dan Foley. On June 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court ratified same-sex marriage, a monumental achievement after a more than 25-year battle across the country.

Recently, journalist Sasha Issenberg published a riveting, comprehensive history of that struggle, titled The Engagement: America’s Quarter Century Struggle Over Same-Sex Marriage, tracing it back to 1990, when the political movement took off with a case in the Hawaii Supreme Court.

At that point, Issenberg explains, no significant gay rights group had endorsed marriage as an objective. But, in 1990, when three same-sex couples applied for marriage licenses in Honolulu and were denied, they turned to a lawyer named Dan Foley. Less than three years later, the Hawaii Supreme Court became the first court in the world to conclude that queer couples’ freedom to marry was a basic civil right. The rest is a fascinating and groundbreaking history of the national journey toward June 26, 2015.

Today, we’re talking about how Buddhism can help you find the wisdom to overcome anything in life. In particular, the challenges that sometimes come with love and relationships. Our guest is Bryant Ríos-Niño, of Connecticut. He shares his parallel journeys of developing his Buddhist practice and learning what love, relationships and supporting your family truly takes. 

Today we are talking about how to tap into your potential, even when you can’t see it and even when your circumstances make you feel incapable.

Our guest is Lance Powell, of Georgia, who shares how he encountered Buddhism at a time when hope for the future was hard to find, and how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo allowed him to finally tap into the potential he knew he had, but had never quite been able to access before.

“Tips & Insights” is a miniseries in which we’ll introduce one Buddhist concept each month and how it can be applied to your life.

Today’s is: Winning in the morning.

Today, we’re talking about what winning over yourself really takes: an honest look at what is causing you to suffer and the courage to transform it deep within. 

Our guest is Jamie Bautista from Davis, California, who shares her journey using her Buddhist practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to battle her own anger, which manifested at a young age. In the process, she discovered a beautiful person within.

Today we’re talking about what inner transformation or human revolution looks like through a consistent practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. 

Our guest is Judy Juanita from Oakland, California. A writer and lecturer, she shares her incredible journey of many decades practicing Buddhism and how it helped her find the courage to change the things that held her back. 

SHOW NOTES: 

1:33 Judy discovers Buddhism 

9:05 Identifying the thing that was holding her back 

20:56 Transforming a part of behavior she didn’t like

25:50 Her writing career opens up 

37:51 Moving to Oakland to support her family 

43:13 Her Buddhist practice gets deeper and deeper over decades

Today, we’re talking about what it really takes to build a foundation for your life. It’s a theme we’ve explored before on the show but one that looks different for all of us. Our guest is George Wong, of San Francisco, California, who shares how his Buddhist practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo has allowed him to turn his difficulties with school and self-worth into a career creating value from every experience.

SHOW NOTES: 

2:44 Getting rejected from college inspires George to start practicing Buddhism

10:44 Previous setback turns into a great breakthrough

16:55 Struggling with impostor syndrome 

25:48 Importance of never giving up, even if you’re not sure where you’re headed 

32:13 Seeing long-term growth despite daily ups and downs

35:43 Each experience has deep meaning 

The teachings of Buddhism are vast and profound, that's why Buddhist study is a crucial part of deepening our practice. We're excited to announce our first ever Buddhability Beginner Email Course.  So if you're new or just need a little refresher, you can go to https://buddhability.org/practice/emailcourse/ to sign up for seven short lessons, which will be delivered to your inbox over the course of four weeks. 

Today, we're talking about what it really takes to face your reality, especially when that requires taking a hard look at yourself. Our guest is Miho Saito, of Long Beach, California who shares the ups and downs of a journey in which she continually left home in search of herself in an effort to avoid things that felt too difficult to face.

Eventually, through her Buddhist practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, Miho found the courage to come home to herself.

SHOW NOTES: 

1:37 How Miho started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo

7:10 Miho lives on the road, looking to find herself

18:15 Decides to move back home

29:10 Miho finds her passion 

38:19 Finding the courage to face her problems and deeply respect her life. 

50:16 The biggest benefit of practicing Buddhism is the intangible stuff 

“Tips & Insights” is a miniseries in which we’ll introduce one Buddhist concept each month and how it can be applied to your life.

Today’s is: Buddhism and the real world.

References:

Today, we're talking about how Buddhism sees obstacles in particular, those big challenges, life throws your way when you're least expecting it. Our guest is Brian Lindgren of Virginia who shares about how his buddhist practice helped him challenge his circumstances with fresh energy, helped him find a life in music and understand the deeper meaning of his problems. 

SHOW NOTES: 

1:30 How Brian encountered Buddhism 

10:40 Trying to create a life as a musician in New York and facing financial setbacks

20:00 Re-imagining his dream and going back to school. 

30:30 The bike accident that changes everything. 

40:40 In recovery, Brian brings out his grit and determination like never before. 

58:50 Getting into his PhD program and solidifying a life in music. 

1:03:25 Now that he overcame his biggest setback, he fells like anything is possible. 

Our guest is James, of New York, who shares how a consistent practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helps him navigate some of the toughest moments of his life from dealing with addiction to finding his place and purpose. 

Note: Buddhism does not contradict medical science. If anything, for Buddhists, seeking out professional advice and support is an important step toward caring for ourselves. If you or a friend is struggling with addiction, please seek out professional help. 

SHOW NOTES: 

3:11- James discovers Buddhism one day while working at a thrift shop. 

5:00- Changes he notices after chanting. 

11:11- Not showing up for others and himself the way he wanted to. 

15:50- Telling friends about his challenges and finding ways to be accountable 

19:17- Moving back home to upstate New York. 

23:42- How Buddhism changed his family. 

27:56- Realizing that coming back home was the best move he could have made. 

31:06- How Buddhism taught him to never give up. 

37:03- Advice to anyone that wants to try chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. 

Today we are talking about one of the most difficult but universal tendencies we experience—people-pleasing. Our guest is Megan Weinstein, of Chicago, who shares about her journey practicing Buddhism and how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helped her identify and tackle the feelings that, for too long, led her to live her life based on other people’s opinions.
 
For anyone who has ever felt like they are supposed to show up in a certain way, rather than as your true precious self, this episode is for you.

SHOW NOTES

3:43 Megan’s first breakthrough from practicing Buddhism 

8:36 The need to please everyone in her environment 

19:31 A Buddhist friend gives Megan advice

21:42 Rooting out the need for validation through chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo 

32:46 Caring for others while caring for herself 

35:00 Everything starts to change 

46:53 Advice for those just starting to give Buddhism a try 

“Tips & Insights” is a miniseries in which we’ll introduce one Buddhist concept each month and how it can be applied to your life.

Today’s is: Bodhisattvas of the Earth.

References:

Today we are talking about relationships—especially the long and complicated kind, the ones that provide us with the greatest lessons about life and love. Our guest is Mónica Lladó-Ortega, of Puerto Rico, who shares the most beautiful story of her relationship with her husband, which endured a significant breakup right in the beginning. But most encouraging of all is the story of her relationship with herself and how Buddhism helped her see her own worth.

CHEAT SHEET

4:29 How Mónica encountered Buddhism

15:35 An unexpected reunion

20:42 How a daily Buddhist practice leads to inner transformation

36:31 Entering a relationship leading with self-worth

50:52 Advice on being in love, finding love or experiencing a breakup

References

The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, Part 1

Today, we’re talking about how to orient our lives onto a happy, healthy path, no matter what kind of circumstances we begin with.

Our guest is Melanie Santiago, of Denver, who shares how she encountered Buddhism at the young age of 13 when she was going through a tumultuous time and how learning to apply Buddhist philosophy to her life helped her shift her life state from one of suffering and victimhood to one of agency and happiness.

Trigger Warning: This episode mentions attempted suicide.

CHEAT SHEET

5:30 Why Melanie started practicing Buddhism 

22:30 How Melanie shifted the relationship with her mom 

24:50 Caring for others help us to care for ourselves 

28:27 Having the courage to establish a relationship with her dad 

35:16 Meeting her dad

41:40 Where we start from doesn’t determine how far we can go

Reference:

What can I do to improve my complicated relationship with my parentsWhat can I do to improve my complicated relationship with my parents?