Buddhability

Asking for the opinions of others can be helpful but what happens when you hear their voice louder than your own? Today’s guest, Moeko Fukada Teter, of Honolulu, says it took practice to find and trust her voice. From relationships to career hurdles, chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helped her to see her life clearly and gain self-confidence. 

Truly hearing and seeing someone else can be tough. Especially if we think we’re in the right or know best. Fortunately, Buddhist practice helps us to open our minds with wisdom and compassion.

Today’s guest, Marko Bajkovic, of Costa Mesa, shares how seeing past his ego helped him embrace Buddhism and deepen his family relationships.

Watch today's episode on our YouTube Channel.

How does a student athlete and mother become a superstar coach to students and even Olympians? Karen Dennis, of Columbus, Ohio, shares how her Buddhist practice led to a decorated coaching career. 

At the time of her retirement from Ohio State as the director of both Track and Field teams, she won the most Big Ten titles of any woman in Ohio State history. Prior, she coached teams at University of Nevada Las Vegas, Michigan State and the National Women’s 2000 Olympic Team. She has been inducted into the Hall of Fame for three prestigious orga...

Buddhability Shorts is a 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 make difficult decisions and life without regret.

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

Episode Mentioned:

Your Past Decisions Don’t Define Your Future

Resources:

Discussions on Youth, pp. 26, 362.

The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 1, revised edition, pp. 128-29.

Buddhism teaches that all our problems are opportunities for growth. But how could heartbreak possibly make someone better at math? Alex Scheffelin, of New York, shares how he used a moment of hopelessness to propel him to becoming a Ph.D. student at Columbia University.

Watch this week's episode on our YouTube Channel.

With college decisions trickling in, we're airing a rerun of a May 2024 episode about college rejections.

When Ashley Park didn’t get into her first choice colleges, she was stuck in New York City balancing a jam-packed schedule. Buddhism teaches that everything moves in the direction of our happiness when we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. With that in mind, Ashley knew there must be a reason and used her Buddhist practice to discover it. Today, we discuss how winning in every area of your life leads to your ultimate growth and happiness. 

References:

Disc...

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 Happiness and Peace, part 2, revised edition, pp. 185-87.

Buddhability Shorts is a series where we break down a Buddhist concept or common life challenge we’ve touched on in an interview. Today, we’re talking about life milestones and feeling left behind.

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

Episode Mentioned:

How I Beat Burnout

Seeing Beyond My Complaints and Problems

Resources:

Discussions on Youth, pp. 6, 121.

Each Instant Contains Incredible Possibilities

Life can’t always go according to plan. So, what do we do when things change? Buddhist practice helps us to be flexible and turn everything into an opportunity for deeper happiness. 

Today’s guest, Camryn Snowden, of Oklahoma, navigated a big life change that helped her see that she could expand her capacity rather than compromising her dreams.

Resources:

The New Human Revolution, vol. 20, p. 89.

December 2, 2022, World Tribune, p. 7.

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.

Watch this episode on Youtube.

Resources:

What happens when you’ve failed at your goal… more than once? Today’s guest, Ayumi Sasaki, of Detroit, had a big career goal that took two years and many attempts to accomplish. We discuss how her Buddhist practice and community helped her develop the ability to pick herself back up and keep going until she reached the finish line.

Resources:

Discussions on Youth, p. 24. 

The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 1, revised edition, p. 215.

“Letter to Niike,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 1027.

Buddhability Shorts is a series where we break down a Buddhist concept or common life challenge we’ve touched on in an interview. Today, we’re learning how Buddhism can help us in relationships and love.

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

Episode Mentioned:

On Self-Love and Relationships

References:

Discussions on Youth, pp. 60–67.

When we want others to change, we’re at the whim of our environment. One moment we’re happy with their actions and another we’re upset with something they said. Buddhism teaches us that when we work on our inner transformation our environment, including people, reflect that.

Today’s guest, Emma Grover, of Oakland, shares how developing herself helped her believe in her family.

Resources:
Living Buddhism, January 2025, p. 12.
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol 1, p. 279.
Living Buddhism, January 2021, p. 14.

Buddhability Shorts is a series where we break down a Buddhist concept or common life challenge we’ve touched on in an interview. Today, we’re talking why SGI Nichiren Buddhists chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo every day.

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

Episodes Mentioned:

How Connecting with People Enhanced by Self Care

Mastering Your Daily Rhythm

References:

Discussions on Youth pp. 215, 218, 220-21.

We might have a laundry list of regrets but we don’t have to let them determine our lives today or tomorrow. Today’s guest, Jesse Thompson of Columbus, Indiana, shares how he used his Buddhist practice to overcome shame and create the future he’d always dreamed of.

You can also watch the video version of today's episode on our YouTube Channel. 

Resources:
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, pp. 536, 832.
Learning From the Writings: The Hope-filled Teachings of Nichiren Daishonin, p. 107
July 11, 1997, World Tribune, p. 14

Discussions on Youth, p...

Buddhist practice empowers us to positively impact our environment. Amber Owens, of Anniston, Alabama, uncovered a deep sense of purpose in revitalizing her hometown’s art culture. Today we’re talking about how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helps her continuously return to her “why” when the path to her dream gets rocky.

Today’s episode is also available in video format on our YouTube Channel.
 

Resources

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

Discussions on Youth, p. 172

In today’s Short, we talk about how to do the thing we’ve said we would do for days, months or years. Buddhability Shorts is a series where we break down a Buddhist concept or common life challenge we’ve touched on in an interview.

Resources:
Discussions on Youth, pp. 98, 262, 395.

The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 2, revised edition, pp. 5, 103.

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

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

We all have narratives we tell ourselves about what is possible for our lives. Today’s guest, Jackie Alexander, of Chicago, shares how she overcame limiting beliefs about the kind of student and person she was. We discuss how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo about everything from housing, to money, to graduate school led to Jackie’s newfound self-confidence.

Today’s episode is also available in video format on our YouTube Channel.

References

You Were Born to Win, p. 5

The New Human Revolution, vol. 26, p. 46

Thank you for an incredible year! Today we’re reflecting back on Buddhability’s 2024 guests and some things we’ve learned from them. We can’t wait to show you what we have planned for 2025.

Reach out to us any time at connect@buddhability.org to get connected to a local Buddhist community or ask questions.

The journey of self-discovery can sometimes be long and winding. Ray Guida, of Columbus, Ohio, shares how he developed the compassion and courage to live as his authentic self. We discuss the ways chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helps us face all hardships with hope and what it is like to practice SGI Nichiren Buddhism as an LGBTIQA+ person.

Today’s episode is also available in video format on our YouTube Channel.

With so much to learn about Buddhist history, it can be hard to know where to start! This month, we’re doing a short series covering Buddhist history. Today’s episode is about how the Lotus Sutra and Nam-myoho-renge-kyo are practiced today.

Online Articles:
About Our Community

Living The Lotus Sutra
Engaged Buddhism

Books:
Waking The Buddha

The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra Series

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

With so much to learn about Buddhist history, it can be hard to know where to start! This month, we’re doing a short series covering Buddhist history. Today’s episode focuses on the origins of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhist philosophy and the practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

Online Articles:
Buddhism Reaches the Shores of Japan

The Teachings of Nichiren Daishonin

Daishonin’s Life and Legacy

Books:
The Records of the Orally Transmitted Teachings Introduction

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol.1 and vol. 2

Reach ou...

With so much to learn about Buddhist history, it can be hard to know where to start! This month, we’re doing a short series covering Buddhist history. Today’s episode covers the early history of SGI Nichiren Buddhism.

Online Articles:
The Humanism of The Lotus Sutra
Buddhist Lineage

Books:
The Lotus Sutra and Its Opening and Closing Sutras
The Living Buddha
The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra Series
The Heart of The Lotus Sutra

Reach out to us at connect@buddhability.org to get connected with a Bu...

Today’s guest, Bora Colak, is a psychiatrist in Brooklyn who struggled with depression for years after graduating from Harvard. When he started to practice Buddhism, something changed deep in his life. Bora shares the story of how he navigated depression, became a psychiatrist, and now uses Buddhism as the foundation for everything in his life.

Today’s episode is also available in video format on our YouTube Channel.

Resources:

Basics of Buddhism

Buddhism Applied (Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo)

Embracing Buddhism

Self-worth is tough to cultivate when we look to others for validation. One moment we’re flying high, then one harsh word sends us spiraling. Today’s guest, Nikki Gonzalez, of Oakland, shares how her Buddhist practice helped her shift from a life consumed by the opinions of others to one based on a deeply held belief in her infinite worth. We talk about how Buddhist concepts helped her change the way she looks at love and relationships and determine to become the kind of person she would be proud to be with.

Watch the video version of t...

Do you feel overwhelmed and exhausted? In today’s Short, we talk about how to refresh yourself when you feel pulled in too many directions. Buddhability Shorts is a series where we break down a Buddhist concept or common life challenge we’ve touched on in an interview.

Resources:
Sept. 13, 2024, World Tribune, p. 10.
May 21, 2021, World Tribune, p. 3.
The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 3, revised edition, pp. 446-48.

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

What does it look like to have a fulfilling career? While no one can tell us the best life path for us, Buddhism offers a clear framework for understanding how to live with meaning and purpose. Today’s guest,  Paige Asawa of Los Angeles, shares her story of becoming an art therapist and how Buddhism helped her understand how to find a fulfilling career.

oday’s episode is also available in video format on our YouTube Channel.

If you’d like to get connected with your local Buddhability community, contact us at connec...

Sometimes we may wish the people around us were different. Today’s guest, Brigid Perry of Boston, shares how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo honestly about her feelings toward her family helped her make a fundamental shift in the way she views them. 

Today’s episode is also available in video format here.

References:

The New Human Revolution, vol 1, pp. 173-4.

Living Buddhism, June 2024, p. 5.

The New Human Revolution, vol 30, Ch. 4.

Cheat Sheet: 

02:05 Brigid joins her sister at a Buddhist meeting

07:45 H...

We have a very special episode of Buddhability! You can listen as usual or watch the video on YouTube.

Today’s guest, Orlando Bloom, sits down to discuss how his Buddhist practice has informed everything from his breakout role as Legolas in the Lord of the Rings to how he confronts his limitations in his new show To The Edge.

Orlando shares insights he’s gathered throughout his life since encountering SGI Nichiren Buddhism at age 16. He opens up about staying grounded with his sudden rise to fame, following a Buddhist exampl...

Ariana Jaramillo, of Santa Cruz, started experiencing panic attacks in high school. Right around that time, she started to regularly chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. Today, she shares how practicing SGI Nichiren Buddhism has helped her remain undefeated by anxiety and depression. We talk about what it looks like to chant daily, study Buddhism and apply it to your life. 

References:

The New Human Revolution, vol 2, revised edition, p. 190.

Unlocking the Mysteries of Birth and Death.

Discussions on Youth, p. 5.

If you’d like to get connected with...

In today’s Short, we’re breaking down the Buddhist mantra Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and explaining how to chant it step-by-step. By the end of the episode, you should feel confident trying it out yourself!

Helpful Resources for Chanting:

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

Nikita Agrawal, a recent high school graduate from Chicago, was determined to use her research to contribute to the world. Being the first author of an academic journal article is difficult but submitting it while you’re applying for colleges and finishing your senior year is even harder.

In today’s episode, Nikita shares how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helped her handle painful rejections and utilize feedback to help her become a better academic. Through the process, she learned how to overcome the thoughts that told her to give up.

Resources:

Twenty...

There are limitless reasons why someone might try chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo! For some, it’s an easy leap. For others, it might feel a bit intimidating. That’s why we’re bringing you the voices of several Buddhability listeners sharing why they started to chant. 

Helpful Resources for Chanting:
How to Start Your Buddhist Practice

Learn How to Chant (Video)
Ways to Enhance Your Chanting

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

Vishvak Prakkruth encountered Buddhism in Mumbai when he was an aspiring filmmaker. As he moved to New York and Los Angeles to further his career, he found deeper meaning in his art and shifted his perspective on success.

In today’s episode, we talk about how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and studying Buddhist philosophy have helped him find meaning and purpose in his work.

Reference:
The New Human Revolution, revised edition, vol. 5.
The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 1, revised edition, pp. 335-35.

Alexandria Jones, of San Diego, grew up with many examples of the power of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. It wasn’t until becoming a young adult that she decided to test it for herself. 

In today’s episode, Alexandria shares how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helped her to develop limitless strength and courage. Two things she would need when faced with the painful loss of a loved one. She shares how the Buddhist view of death deepened her appreciation of life.

References:

Unlocking the Mysteries of Life and Death

We’re making a listener episode with your stories about starting your Buddhist practice! You can submit a voice message telling us, in a minute or less, why you started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

Ways to submit your voice message:

1. Instagram: Send a voice message to our DMs @Buddhability

2. Voicemail: Call us at (646) 883-6381 and leave a message after the tone.

Please send us your story by Friday, August 2nd.

We’ll select a small assortment to share on an upcoming episode, so please submit only if you ar...

An 8-year-old Kimberly Cadillo struggled to find her place in a new culture, language and country. Moving from Peru to New Jersey brought many challenges, especially with self-esteem. 

Today we’re talking about how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helped Kimberly develop unshakable self-worth no longer tied to external validation. As she says, though the journey might be challenging, appreciating your life is a treasure no one can take away.

References:

Discussions on Youth, p. 77.

December 3, 2004, World Tribune, p. 8.

Buddhability Shorts is a 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 Buddhist perspective on wisdom and what it means to use knowledge with wisdom.

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

References:

My Dear Friends in America, fourth edition, pp. 369-71.

The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra, vol. 2, p. 33.

Buddhability Shorts is a 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 chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo can help us maximize every moment and use our time wisely.

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

Episodes Mentioned:

How To Do It All, with Dr. Gitima Sharma

Why I Appreciate My College Rejections

References:

The Victorious Teen, p. 28.

“O...

Buddhability Shorts is a 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 principle of the cherry, plum, peach and damson blossoms.

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

Episodes Mentioned:

Daniel: Breaking Free from Self-Imposed Limitations

Megan: Living Based on My Inherent Worth vs. People’s Opinions

Joshua: Learning to Love Myself

References:
The Wisdo...