Buddhability

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.Watch today's episode on YouTube

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 Revolution, vol. 24, pp. 177–78A Piece of Mirror and Other Essays, pp. 79, 83–84.Leave of Grass by Walt Whitman.“Like the Sun Rising,” Journey of Life: Selected Poems of Daisaku IkedaUnlocking the Mysteries of Unlocking Birth and Death, p. 104.The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 1, revised edition.

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. 272–73The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 637.The New Human Revolution, vol. 5, pp. 27­–28The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 2, revised edition, pp. 185-87.

Radhika Rao, a San Francisco theater teaching artist who blends improv with peace education, shares her journey from anxiety to renewed purpose. She explains trying Buddhism out of envy, how chanting reshaped her path, and using theater to teach empathy, train police and medical teams, and imagine social change.

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:Discussions on Youth, p. 336.

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.Watch today's episode on our YouTube Channel Resources:My Dear Friends in America, fourth edition, pp. 229–39. Winter Turns to Spring quote

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 healthyDiscussions on Youth, new edition, pp. 37–48.

Wayne Thomas Jr., an architect and artist from Los Angeles who practices SGI Nichiren Buddhism, shares his story of proving doubters wrong. He talks about using chanting as an experiment to boost creativity and academics. He describes building a portfolio from scratch, navigating being often the only person of color, and designing community-centered spaces that empower others.

Kaitlin Todd, a firefighter, EMS worker, and mother from Gretna, Louisiana, used SGI Nichiren Buddhist practice to build stability while pursuing emergency services. She talks about finding direction after a life-changing pregnancy, using chanting and small wins to push through training and setbacks, and balancing single parenthood with the grind of academy life and career progress.

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.