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Seongjae Choi, of Alabama, wondered “why me?” when his peers were landing jobs and he was being ghosted by potential employers. With a strict deadline for his visa, he was determined to land a job in time. Today he tells the story of how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo gave him the ability to keep going and find meaning in his struggle.

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Sierra Canyon Alumna Spencer Parham, of Utah, was hit with a problem that almost derailed his D1 college aspirations. Today he shares his experience how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helped him excel as a busy student athlete.

Watch this episode on YouTube.

Book mentioned:
A Youthful Diary

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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 money and our relationship to it.

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

Resources:

Becoming People of True Wealth

The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 2, p.40.

Interview with Sherman

D...

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Laila-Rose Galvin, of Maryland, had to move back home when she lost her first job out of college. Today she shares the story of how she made it through the uncertainty by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

Watch this episode on YouTube.

References:
Discussions on Youth, revised edition, p. 101
Hope Is a Decision, p. 5

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Bridgerton star Claudia Jessie talks about her working class roots, improbable career and Buddhist practice. She opens up about the challenges she experienced as a young person, the winding road to finding an agent and how practicing Buddhism helped her respect her life and go for her dreams.

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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 Wisd...

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Buddhism isn’t about being perfect. Even so, it can be difficult to share that you’re struggling with something. Kenichi Hackman, of Los Angeles, used to think he could only share the good parts of his life. Through opening up, he was able to overcome serious financial and family challenges.

Watch today's episode on YouTube.

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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 feeling constrained by things like our income, relationships and obligations.

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

Resources:

Discussions on Youth, revised edition, pp. 269–82.

The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 1, pp. 16–19.

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Actor Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (“Oz,” “Lost,” “Euphoria”) shares how his difficult childhood shaped him into the actor, writer, and director he is today. He also opens up about how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helped him cultivate deep happiness and create meaning from his challenging childhood.

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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 true individuality and how to bring it out.

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

Resources:

Discussions on Youth, revised edition, pp. 283–96.

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How can we strive to do our best without tying our self-worth to the outcome? Today’s guest, Sandeep Ramanthan, of Seattle, struggled with an emptiness any time he was alone and not working. Through diving into Buddhist practice, he found self-worth independent of his friendships and a career.

Watch today's episode on our YouTube channel.

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Each of us is already enlightened but it can be difficult to believe when we hit problems. Dr. Victoria Smith, of New Orleans, had overcome so much through Buddhist practice but still struggled to see herself as a Buddha. Today she shares how she finally broke through.

Watch today's episode on YouTube.

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Is it possible for someone who wasn’t always a top student to land a full-ride scholarship? Gabe Morris, of New York, shares how being himself and following his passions as a gifted tap dancer helped him open doors to college and more.

Watch today's episode on our YouTube channel.

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When you feel stuck, it’s hard to see a path forward. Buddhability sat down with Kimberly Cadillo, Tom Hatton and Marco Giannavola for our first ever live taping to tell their stories of getting unstuck.

Watch the live taping on our YouTube channel.

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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 the role appreciation plays in our happiness.

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

Resources:

The Power of a Grateful Heart

The New Human Revolution, vol. 17, p. 72.

A Foundation for Your Life, pp. 52–53.

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If you’re not on speaking terms with someone, can that relationship ever change? Today’s guest, Min Kim Sieling, reach many of her life goals like moving to the U.S. and getting married. But she realized she wanted to strive for something deeper: her relationship with her mom. Min shares the story of how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helped her go from no-contact to best friends with her mom.

 
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Resources:

The Opening of the Eyes, p. 65

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This month, we’re doing a short series about how to put the power back in your hands. Today’s episode is about the power of connection and mutually encouraging relationships.

Resources:
Want to Be Happy? Help Other People
Awakening to the Interconnectedness of Life

Toward an Era of Human Rights: Building a People’s Movement
Cam’s Interview: How Connecting With People Enhanced My Self Care
Ed...

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This month, we’re doing a short series about how to put the power back in your hands. Today’s episode is about the potential in your problems.

Resources: 

Challenges Can Fortify Our Growth and Happiness
“What It Means to Hear the Buddha Vehicle,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 2, p. 743)
July 2020 Living Buddhism, p. 56

Interviews Included:
Moeko Fukada Teter

Marko Bajkovic
Immaculate Mutebi

Reach out to us at connect@buddhabili...

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This month, we’re doing a short series about how to put the power back in your hands. Today’s episode is about the power of simply deciding.

Resources:
The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 1, revised edition, p. 35.
Discussions on Youth, new addition, p. 411.
Each Constant Contains Incredible Possibilities
Christopher Robin’s Episode: What it Took to Make My Dreams a Reality

Reach out to us at connect@buddhability.org to get connected with a Buddhability community near y...

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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. 

Watch today's episode on our YouTube channel.

Resources:

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

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

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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 R...

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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.

View today's episode on YouTube.

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 Happine...

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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.

Watch today's episode on our YouTube channel.

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

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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.

Wat...

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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

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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 connect@buddhability.org

Resource:

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

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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.

Watch today's episode on our YouTube channel.

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

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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.

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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.

Watch today's episode on our YouTube channel

References: 

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

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Can we really feel happy when we’re facing health problems? Kimberly Rios-Niño, of San Diego, shares how she came to treasure life regardless of her circumstances. We talk about her journey into parenthood and taking care of children battling illness. 

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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 why goals and dreams are critical for our happiness.

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

Resources:

The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part one, revised edition, pp. 170–71

Hope is a Decision, pp. 5–7.

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You’re almost to the finish line of 2025! Today we’re talking about how you can end the year feeling victorious and hopeful rather than dragging your feet. To ask a question about the basics of Buddhism, you can email us at connect@buddhability.org

Resources:

The Courage to 'Go All In'
The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 2, revised edition, p. 175.

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There are as many unique relationships as there are people. Why is it that some of them are so difficult and how can we actually change them? Three mental health experts share their professional knowledge and personal experience with common relationship challenges and how to resolve them.

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Some things feel truly insurmountable. But what happens when someone truly believes in the value and power of your life? Jason Lions, of LA, experienced childhood trauma and struggled for years with the impacts. In today’s episode, he shares how he transformed his family and mental health through the care of others, professional support and awakening to the power of his life through chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

Content warning: We speak about childhood abuse in this episode. Please listen with care.

Watch tod...

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What do you do when a family emergency calls you away from your career and back to your hometown? Adam W. Sadberry, of Montgomery, Texas, shares the story of how he joyfully pursues his dreams all while caring for and supporting his parents. 

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Resources:

“Wu-lung and I-lung” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 1101.

Living Buddhism, December 2018, p. 33.

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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 quality versus quantity when it comes to chanting.

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

Resources:

Which is more important for chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo: quality or quantity?
The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 1, revised edition, pp. 123–24, 130.

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The gap between our dreams and reality can sometimes feel impossible to close. Especially when our dream means pursuing a field that’s less traditionally “easy” to make a career from like art. 

In today’s episode we sit down with two full-time artists to discuss how Buddhism helped them become full-time artists without compromising their vision. Our guests are sculptor Brian Enright, of Oakland, and animator and director Leo Matsuda, of LA. We dig into their journey and the many ways Buddhism informs th...

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A strong routine can be crucial to getting through the day when you have a full plate. But that discipline doesn’t happen over night. Enoa Reid, of Oahu, shares how the reality of adulthood helped him develop the skills needed to win every day.

Watch today's episode on our YouTube channel.

Resources:
My Dear Friends in America, fourth edition, pp. 361—62.

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How can one of the most inevitable things in life still be so shocking and confusing? Oona Friedland, of Berkley, Michigan, shares the story of how she navigated the pain of illness and death, eventually creating new meaning for her life.

Watch this episode on our YouTube Channel.