Buddhability

During the month of July, we're on short break and playing re-runs of our most popular episodes from the archives. We'll be back with brand new episodes the first Wednesday in August. Today we’re playing an episode that originally aired November 2020 but feels more relevant than ever. We speak with Abe Uccello about working for change in Florida’s prison system, even when he couldn’t see any forward movement. He explains how chanting can help you build trust and respect with anyone, and what unity actually means. Hint: You have to unlock your own wisdom and compassion first.Cheat Sheet1:50 What we’re trying to understand today4:02 Introduction to Abe5:02 How chanting helped him feel like he had control over his life again10:54 His experiences working with the prison system16:20 How chanting helped him figure out what to do17:20 What a tenacious effort to build trust helped him achieve25:10 Why he didn’t give up28:32 How to maintain hope even when you see the darkest parts of humanity32:33 What the end goal in Buddhism is35:46 Advice to anyone feeling stuck or overwhelmed by uncertainty38:02 What “happiness for self and others” means45:39 What else to read on Buddhability about feeling stuck and making change

“Tips & Insights” new episode series in which we’ll introduce one Buddhist concept each month and how it can be applied to your life! Today’s is: karma.References:Outshining Our Karma With the “Sun of Wisdom”For more in-depth study of the karma, check out An Introduction to Buddhism, second edition, p. 40

Today’s episode is about learning to live your truth. Chris, of Detroit, shares the incredibly moving journey to affirm himself and how his Buddhist practice helped him find the courage to come out as a trans man. A foundational element of Chris’s experience was learning to believe that his life has unlimited value and worth, upon which he has been able to build a foundation for new dreams.CHEAT SHEET1:18 How Chris encountered Buddhism and why he started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo8:29 The experiences that lead to Chris affirming himself17:53 How Buddhism helped him find the courage to pursue happiness25:14 What it was like to come out 30:10 What it took to break out of lifelong limitations 33:16 Continually reaffirming himself through chanting36:17 Chris’s favorite Buddhist concept42:17 Building a foundation upon valuing your life45:05 Advice for anyone struggling with self-conflictReferences: December 2016 Living Buddhism, p. 40Soka Education: For the Happiness of the Individual, pp. 209-10

Today’s topic is pessimism, which can be defined as a lack of hope or confidence in the future. At different times in our lives, all of us might experience pessimism, especially if our future is uncertain or we find ourselves in a situation where the odds seem stacked against us. This can be compounded by societal conflicts and current affairs, and increasingly, teens and young adults feel a sense of worry, anxiety or futility about the future. Today, we'll unpack the Buddhist perspective on optimism. Our guest is Stuart Adams, a firefighter in California who shares the story of how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helped him transform pessimism into a life of confidence and action.CHEAT SHEET1:47 Why Stewart started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo6:17 How he discovered his dream to become a firefighter9:56 What it took to challenge his fear 16:52 What faith means in Buddhism23:32 How chanting helped him take initiative32:05 Addressing mistakes without hesitation36:33 The role of Buddhist friends 40:28 The Buddhist perspective on optimism45:53 Advice for anyone who struggles with pessimism

Today we’re talking about self-trust, which, if you’re the type of person who is constantly berating themselves internally, can feel really hard to build. Our guest is Anivat Chanachanchai, of Hawaii, who shares how taking his Buddhist practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo seriously helped him finally let go of a cycle of toxic relationships and environments. Once he tapped into his Buddhability, he finally began to trust himself and take the steps to respect his life.CHEAT SHEET1:18 Why Anivat started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo5:17 Having a dialogue with yourself9:11 His experiences with bullying and coming out21:03 The challenges he faced in Hawaii30:05 What it means to take full responsibility for your life35:26 How chanting helped him through the hard days45:39 Advice for anyone new to chantingReferences:Discussions on Youth, p. 9Discussions on Youth, p. 291

"Tips & Insights” is a new episode series in which we’ll introduce one Buddhist concept each month and how it can be applied to your life! Today’s is: the mutual possession of the Ten Worlds.References:The Mutual Possession of the Ten Worlds Every Situation is the Best Situation for Elevating Our LivesWhat do I do about the parts of myself I don’t like?

Today we are discussing limiting beliefs and self-doubt. Whatever form they take for you, whether it’s your own negative self-talk, the way you see yourself or limitations others have placed on you that you’ve internalized, transforming limiting beliefs can be hard. Fortunately, the essence of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is to do exactly this. By strengthening our Buddhability, we can transform our limitations. Our guest is Rachel Mundus, who practices Buddhism in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Today she shares the many self-doubts she has had to challenge on the long journey toward her dream of becoming a dentist for the people.CHEAT SHEET1:29 Why Rachel began chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo3:09 Where her dream to provide dental care came from5:28 The difference she felt once she started chanting9:20 What her work is now11:43 Her greatest challenge along the way16:13 Key turning points in challenging her limiting beliefs24:19 What it looks like to strengthen your determination daily30:10 The impact of learning to enjoy the journey35:02 How she decided to tackle school again41:02 How she uprooted her “tree of self-doubt”43:53 Advice for anyone struggling with limiting beliefs or self-doubtReferencesThe New Human Revolution, vol. 26, p. 149.The New Human Revolution, vol. 9, p. 153.The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 3, p. 363.Sign up for our newsletter (and this week’s life hacks) here. 

Today we are talking about what it takes to become unshakable. Our guest is Brittany Jones, who recently became the youngest elementary school principal in the country's second largest school district. She shares her journey into education, and how, at a crucial turning point in her career as an educational leader, chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helped her challenge her own insecurities and win each day. This episode is especially relevant for anyone who struggles with limiting themselves or easing their anxiety by trying to control their schedule a little too much. It’s also an incredible illustration of how sometimes, letting go and focusing on the present is the greatest strength of all.CHEAT SHEET1:50 Why Brittany started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo 8:58 How she became interested in education13:01 Her journey to become an elementary school principal29:28 Finding the courage to stay the course34:17 How her Buddhist practice helps her identify her priorities37:54 Supporting the Buddhability of children39:19 The importance of winning in the morning45:44 How Brittany learned to let go of the need for control50:00 The impact of chanting on becoming unshakable53:05 Brittany’s favorite Buddhist quote55:09 How she defines her Buddhability57:13 Her vision for what’s next59:40 Advice for anyone new to BuddhismReferencesThe New Human Revolution, vol. 30, p. 53.April 2016 Living Buddhism, p. 49.The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, vol. 1, p. 70. How to start chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo

Today we’re about talking about how to find your path forward during a period of uncertainty. We’re joined by Shota Okajima, of New Jersey, who shares how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helped him overcome tremendous anxiety about his path forward after college. Until then, Shota’s identity had been entirely tied to his ice hockey career, but once he started chanting, he discovered so much more of himself.CHEAT SHEET1:23 Why Shota started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo4:05 Letting go of his ice hockey career10:02 What shifted once he began chanting about his situation15:25 How he discovered a new career path20:53 What it means to win where you are by transforming your life condition24:17 Thinking about Buddhism as a sport25:21 The power of having a community or team29:06 What daily effort in Buddhist practice looks like33:06 The Buddhist quote that kept Shota going 40:57 How Shota defines his own Buddhability43:41 Advice to anyone who feels stuck about their futureReferences:The New Human Revolution, vol. 24, p. 117.Hope is Life’s Treasure

Today we’re talking about identity and relationships. Briana Boche, of Seattle, shares her story of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and how she developed confidence in the practice of human revolution, that is, the process of continually chanting to reveal our Buddhability—courage, wisdom and compassion for ourselves and others.One aspect of Briana’s life where her Buddhist practice carried her through was exploring her own relationship with sexuality and eventually realizing that she is ace, short for asexual. CHEAT SHEET1:40 How Briana started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo7:06 How a setback after college helped her find a new path11:19 Getting connected to the Buddhist community in Seattle20:20 Briana’s journey of exploring her sexuality and identity27:53 What happened when she started chanting to find a partner31:44 Coming to terms with a big realization40:21 What it took to challenge her own insecurities44:06 How she’s chanting about the future47:45 Her favorite Buddhist quote50:37 Advice for anyone new to BuddhismReferences mentioned:“On the Buddha’s Prophecy,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 402.Discussions on Youth, p. 27.Discussions on Youth, p. 8.