Buddhability

Today we’re talking about the impact our environment has on us. In Buddhism, a crucial concept called “the oneness of life and environment” teaches that our environment is simply a reflection of our own life. Because they are interconnected, when we change internally, it’s reflected in our environment. For an explainer on the topic, check out this video.To unpack this idea, we’re speaking with Nile Ross, of Santa Monica, California, about how his practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo has enabled him to become someone whose internal sense of confidence and self-love outweighs any negativity he experiences from his environment. Based on this shift, he has created a life and career he truly loves.CHEAT SHEET1:24 Nile’s early experiences with chanting Nam-myoho-reng-kyo15:51 The turning point he experienced in 201825:28 How he came to redefine happiness for himself30:51 The impact of making chanting a priority37:08 How he transformed early experiences with bullying and racism into a sense of purpose44:08 Becoming a better person by overcoming struggles49:04 Nile’s favorite Buddhist quotes about revolution52:29 Advice for anyone new to BuddhismReferences:Video: Oneness of Life and Environment Explained The New Human Revolution, vol. 2, p. 39The New Human Revolution, vol. 26, p. 110Correction: It was mentioned that the 50k Lions of Justice Festival took place in 3 cities, but it actually took place in 9.

Today we’re speaking with Asia Harvey-Wright, who goes by Harvey, about their first steps practicing Buddhism after encountering the practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo in 2020, during one of the darkest periods of their life.This episode is all about the courage it takes to be open to one's Buddhability. Harvey shares how, in the face of  addiction and mental health challenges, they unearthed their own hope, creativity and desire to move forward.CHEAT SHEET1:35 How Harvey encountered Buddhism4:45 What their initial experience of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo was like7:10 The struggles they were facing at the time12:58 Initial steps they took to begin their practice15:58 The difference they saw through chanting22:30 A Buddhist concept that stuck with them25:39 Their experience with the Buddhist community27:55 How chanting is helping them navigate mental health challenges34:21 Their goals for the future36:58 Advice for anyone who is new to chantingReferences:Discussions on Youth, p. xLearning From the Writings: The Hope-filled Teachings of Nichiren Daishonin, p. 107

Today we’re talking with journalist Melissa Hirsch about how her Buddhist practice helped her navigate her career journey. This episode is especially relevant for anyone who may have a dream they are pursuing but is finding the path to get there a bit more winding than they expected. Melissa explains how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helped her transform her childhood dream of becoming a journalist into a deep desire to use her voice for justice.CHEAT SHEET1:04 How Melissa started practicing Buddhism6:46 Why she wanted to pursue journalism9:05 Her first steps on her career path15:03 The tension between survival and purpose18:08 The challenges she faced in graduate school22:35 How chanting helped her succeed in her investigative work25:54 Overcoming social anxiety and imposter syndrome32:40 Melissa’s favorite Buddhist quote37:35 How her growing sense of purpose allowed her to open a new career path45:48 What she does now49:05 The role that the Buddhist community played in her journey51:20 What true confidence is53:10 Advice for anyone navigating their careerReferences:The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra, volume 6, p. 244Discussions on Youth, p. 73

Today we’re talking about the startup journey, though this episode is filled with lessons for anyone starting anything, be it a company, a project or just a fresh path in life. Creating something new, especially together with other people, requires tremendous wisdom, courage and compassion, which are the very qualities of our Buddhability.Tushar Dadlani, of Dublin, California, shares his journey of moving to Silicon Valley to start a company, and exactly how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helped him navigate the rollercoaster.CHEAT SHEET1:10 How Tushar started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo3:11 The perspective on world peace that intrigued him5:07 Why he came to the U.S. to pursue his dreams of working in tech8:04 How he decided to start a company12:33 How his Buddhist practice helped him manifest courage15:55 The key turning points in his journey as an entrepreneur 18:56 How he learned not to be swayed22:44 Mastering the art of dialogue28:27 How he battled his own arrogance33:12 Applying the Buddhist concept “many in body, one in mind” to work38:46 Nine takeaways on the abilities entrepreneurs need40:13 The importance of staying true to himself43:58 How he thinks about peace now46:56 Advice for anyone on a journey to create somethingReferencesDiscussions on Youth, pp. 101–102

Today we’re talking about how to persevere on a career path when the odds are stacked against you. Mardi Tan, of Long Beach, California, shares her incredible journey to pursue a career in aviation, an industry in which less than 5% of pilots are women. Her Buddhist practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helped her navigate being a woman, being out, and overcoming every obstacle that came her way in order to open a path for other female pilots.CHEAT SHEET0:47 How Mardi starting practicing Buddhism6:45 Discovering her dream to become a pilot14:25 How chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helped her navigate fear18:26 What it took for her to bring her authentic self to a male-dominated industry21:22 How she dealt with discrimination28:04 The Buddhist concept that helped her persevere30:44 The ups and downs that almost made her give up38:17 How lifting up others helped her keep going40:19 Her vision for the future of aviation41:46 Advice for anyone struggling to pursue their dreamReferences:Discussions on Youth, p. 105

Today we’re talking how to move on after experiencing loss. Our guest is Hannah Jones, of Ohio, who shares how she encountered SGI Nichiren Buddhism while in high school, and how it helped her navigate the loss of her best friend—her older brother—and ultimately find her way back to her dreams.CHEAT SHEET1:03 How Hannah started practicing Buddhism as a teenager5:05 Her first experience chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo10:00 The family dynamics she chanted about15:53 How Buddhism helped her deal with the loss of her brother28:09 The shift in their relationship32:01 How having Buddhist friends helped at the darkest time37:59 Hannah’s favorite Buddhist quote41:06 The internal breakthrough she experienced47:07 Her dream to go into psychology48:43 Advice for anyone grappling with lossReferences:Discussions on Youth, p. 69A Piece of Mirror and Other Essays, p. 83

Today we’re talking about what it takes to tear down your walls if you have trouble showing up as your authentic self. Jermira Trapp, of Chicago, shares how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo has enabled her to transform painful family dynamics into fuel to show up as her most authentic self. This shift has impacted every aspect of her life, especially her work in law enforcement, where it can be difficult to be vulnerable and transcend differences. Still, she has learned to do both.CHEAT SHEET0:55 Introduction to Jermira2:24 Why she wanted to join the police force3:28 What happened when she started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo12:33 Her dream to create a harmonious family17:13 How Jermira healed from the loss of her mother 24:20 How she learned to be vulnerable27:47 The impact this inner transformation has had on her work in law enforcement32:13 Jermira’s favorite Buddhist concepts35:48 How she sees her purpose41:39 How she defines her own Buddhability42:41 Advice for anyone who struggles to show up authentically in a challenging environment 

Congratulations to everyone who completed the 31-day chanting challenge on Friday! We'd love to hear how it went, especially if you are new to chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. To submit, just send a voice memo of no more than 2 minutes to podcast@sgi-usa.org sharing your name, where you’re located, and what you feel you learned or changed through the chanting challenge. We're also always open to questions about Buddhism, which we'll try to address on future episodes. Selected voice memos might be included on future episodes, so please only submit if you are comfortable having it shared on the podcast.

On this episode, we’re speaking with Nikolas Spayne, of Chicago, who started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo just last year, when he remembered having heard about Buddhism and decided to look it up. Like many of us, the stress of the pandemic, the constant stream of negative news and big questions about his own life and future had him seeking a fresh path forward. Today he walks us step-by-step through his first year of Buddhist practice. CHEAT SHEET00:54 How Nikolas encountered Buddhism8:02 Why he decided to start chanting on his own10:41 How his mornings transformed when he started chanting15:13 His approach to goal-setting17:37 When he decided to reach out to the Buddhist community21:18 What his first Buddhist meeting was like29:39 How bringing all three elements of Buddhist practice together impacted his life34:38 The biggest change he has experienced38:12 His favorite Buddhist concepts42:20 How he developed a sense of mission47:57 How he defines his Buddhability50:19 Advice for anyone new to chantingReferences:You Were Born to Win, pp. 10-12

Today we’re speaking with two friends and scientists, Tee Ponsukcharoen and Siraput Jongaramrungruang, about their intertwined journeys from studying science to practicing Buddhism together. Originally from Thailand, they both came to California to complete their doctorates, but along the way, they discovered a far greater sense of purpose than they could have imagined.We cover everything from how and why they were attracted to Buddhism, how they navigated their own attachments to logic, and how concepts from physics, like relativity and string theory, connect to Buddhism.CHEAT SHEET1:00 Introduction to Tee and Siraput2:34 Why Siraput started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo5:23 How he introduced Tee to chanting10:31 The dilemma Tee faced after completing his Ph.D.18:11 Siraput’s experience encouraging his friend20:58 What changed after Tee started practicing Buddhism27:16 How Buddhism enables us to see ourselves clearly32:17 Two concepts that Buddhism and science have in common42:25 Siraput’s favorite Buddhist quote46:53 Tee’s favorite Buddhist quote49:31 How Tee views his work as a scientist now52:08 Advice for anyone who values logic over spirituality56:35 Key takeaways from today’s episodeReferences Mentioned:The Third Stage of Life: Aging in Contemporary Society by Daisaku IkedaDiscussions on Youth,  p. 16The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra, vol. 1, p. 23