Buddhability

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 NOTES3:43 Megan’s first breakthrough from practicing Buddhism 8:36 The need to please everyone in her environment 19:31 A Buddhist friend gives Megan advice21:42 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:Nichiren Buddhist Library: BodhisattvaThe Bodhisattva Opens the Way to Happiness for AllThe Mission and Practice of the Bodhisattvas of the EarthIlluminate the World With the Sun of Your Youthful Vow

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 SHEET4:29 How Mónica encountered Buddhism15:35 An unexpected reunion20:42 How a daily Buddhist practice leads to inner transformation36:31 Entering a relationship leading with self-worth50:52 Advice on being in love, finding love or experiencing a breakupReferencesThe 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 SHEET5:30 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 dad41:40 Where we start from doesn’t determine how far we can goReference: What can I do to improve my complicated relationship with my parentsWhat can I do to improve my complicated relationship with my parents?

Today we're talking about what it takes to pursue a dream that forces you to battle your own ego or hopelessness. Key takeaway: Practice for self and others is the key to breaking through our own limitations. Our guest is model, Masamichi Nyunoya, of New York, who shares the story of how his parents helped him start his Buddhist practice at a crucial crossroads in his life and how he has turned to that practice again and again on his journey toward the career of his dreams. CHEAT SHEET1:52 How Masa started practicing Buddhism10:40 Where his dream of becoming a model came from14:57 The year that changed his life20:34 What brought him to New York City to pursue his dreams27:12 How Buddhist study changed his practice31:58 Learning to care for others 35:59 His favorite Buddhist quote about art38:09 Advice for anyone striving to pursue a big dreamReferences mentioned:“To the Next Generation of Artists” by Herbie Hancock and Wayne ShorterDiscussions on Youth, pp. 29-30

Today we’re unpacking the question: what does it mean to win every day when sometimes things take time to resolve? Our guest is Yoko Ambulo, of Chicago, who shares her journey learning Buddhist lessons about what happiness actually is, what a winning daily rhythm looks like, and why it's so important to create an arena in which you give yourself a chance to win.CHEAT SHEAT1:11 Why Yoko started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo4:47 The law of cause and effect7:30 What a winning daily rhythm looks like in Buddhist practice11:36 How Yoko learned that happiness comes from within15:10 A step-by-step approach to creating value from unhappiness21:45 What winning means28:14 One of Yoko’s favorite Buddhist quotes29:35 How Yoko found her purpose32:33 Her goals for 202338:08 Advice on how to get the most out of this yearReferencesKosen-Rufu: Our Mission, p. 241The New Human Revolution, vol. 16, pp. 201–02The New Human Revolution, vol. 25, pp. 73–74

“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 present.References:True Cause: The Spirit of Always Moving Forward From the Present Moment4 Points to Master TimeThe Power to Win Each Day

Today we’re talking about family and what to do if you just can’t reconcile differences with them.Our guests are sisters Lauren and Molly Leebove from Michigan, whose intertwined stories of beginning their Buddhist practice and transforming their relationship with their parents are rich with lessons on what Buddhability looks like in a family setting.CHEAT SHEET1:22 Quote from Daisaku Ikeda in The New Human Revolution, vol. 26 p. 203–4.2:04 Introduction to Molly and Lauren2:54 How Molly started practicing SGI Nichiren Buddhism5:45 What Lauren’s reaction was to her sister’s practice and why she started her own7:37 What it was like growing up eight years apart12:08 Lauren’s struggle with her mental health in college17:28 How they both ended up back home in Michigan19:37 How Molly decided to challenge her struggle with being home21:44 The Buddhist concept “transforming karma into mission”24:12 How Lauren’s life changed when she started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo26:43 Why caring for others can be so healing30:42 What it takes to set aside political or social differences39:31 How Lauren transformed rejection into shared love44:56 How starting fresh in every moment can change relationship dynamics51:58 What uniting for family harmony looks like56:31 How Buddhism changed my sister61:06 Advice for anyone struggling with a family rift

Today we're addressing how Buddhism can help us tackle family dynamics. Our guest is Brian Angulo, of New York, who shares how, in just a few years, his Buddhist practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo enabled him to transform a family dynamic that seemed impossible to change. Based on finding his own agency, courage and wisdom, he learned to lead with his heart and take responsibility for strengthening bonds in a way that was true to him.CHEAT SHEET1:18 How Brian starting chanting Nam-myoho-rengekyo6:22 What changed after he began his practice7:31 The family dynamic he wanted to change11:56 How he started approaching change17:53 The transformation of his own behavior23:28 What he specifically chanted about33:19 The power of the present moment40:45 How he experiences family now47:32 Advice for anyone who wants to transform a family relationshipReferences:The Ultimate Key to Victory in Life is Accumulating the Treasures of the Heart