Buddhability

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

Today we’re talking about navigating job challenges, an aspect of life that be universal difficult, whether you are facing job loss, trying to find a job, navigating a tough industry or having a hard time believing in yourself at work. Our guest is Mehul Anand, of Georgia, who shares the ups and downs of her career in tech, and the profound lessons her Buddhist practice helped her learn along the way.CHEAT SHEET2:39 Why Mehul started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo6:24 An overview of her career trajectory, which didn’t go as planned10:55 How she learned to use her Buddhist practice to navigate finding work15:54 What protection means in Buddhism21:52 The inner transformation she experienced through a long period of unemployment28:29 Practical action to take when facing a difficult situation33:50 Mehul’s turning point38:13 What mission means in Buddhism41:34 Mehul’s favorite Buddhist quotes48:57 Advice for anyone who is currently facing a job-related struggleReferences:“Letter to the Brothers,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p. 502“On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, p. 17How to Make Things Work

“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: human revolution.References:Human RevolutionWhat Does Human Revolution Look Like?Can my human revolution really change the world?How can I be sure that I’m progressing in my human revolution?The Wisdom of Buddhist Humanism

Today we’re talking about how to do it all when you have a full plate. Whether you are an overwhelmed parent or caregiver aspiring to build a career you love, or lacking the support you wish you had to care for yourself and everything else in your life, doing it all can be tough. And amid the chaos, we tend to be hardest on ourselves.Dr. Gitima Sharma, of California State University, talks us through how she approaches this subject as a counselor educator, and also as a Buddhist practitioner and working mom with two young children. CHEAT SHEET1:34 How Gitima started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo13:11 Her own experience with “doing it all”19:22 The challenges of self-doubt, self-comparison and perfectionism28:04 What having a sense of purpose means in Buddhism32:02 What research says about having a sense of purpose45:46 How to increase your sense of purpose53:31 A favorite Buddhist quote about time and enlightenment56:27 Advice for anyone who is struggling to do it allReferences:The Time Is Now! Let’s Create a Whirlwind of Dialogue!Live Life to the Fullest With Clear Purpose

Today we're talking about appreciation, which is central to Buddhism in so many ways and yet, easier to talk about than truly practice, especially when it comes to the tougher circumstances in our lives. Our guest is Doris Edwards, of Philadelphia, who has been chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo for many years. We discuss the Buddhist perspective on appreciation and her own journey toward it.CHEAT SHEET2:18 How Doris encountered Nam-myoho-renge-kyo6:16 What shifted within her when she started chanting11:14 Why appreciation is so important in Buddhism14:36 Having appreciation when you’re struggling19:35 What it means to pursue true happiness23:08 The turning point in her own journey toward appreciation29:19 Why Doris treasures human revolution35:47 A few favorite Buddhist quotes40:54 Advice for anyone new to BuddhismReferences:Appreciation Enriches Our Lives“The Heritage of the Ultimate Law of Life”—Humanity is Awaiting Your GrowthThe Gohonzon, Explained

Today we're talking about how to stop seeking the approval of other people, which, on the one hand, is a normal human desire, and on the other, can cause us the deepest suffering when we don't receive it. It can be especially worse when the approval or praise we seek is from our loved ones. Our guest is Dave Drake, who practices Buddhism in New York City, and shares his journey with this very struggle, both in his personal life and as a musician, The episode is filled with practical insights about how to apply the practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to transform the desire for approval into of a life state of humility, appreciation, forward momentum and true confidence. CHEAT SHEET1:20 How Dave encountered Buddhism and decided to try chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo3:23 The feeling that made him want to continue7:26 The struggle of constantly seeking approval from others12:35 How he approached chanting about this pattern in his life19:42 The Buddhist quotes he loves22:28 How his relationship with his father changed31:06 What applying Buddhist philosophy to daily life looks like40:35 Advice for anyone feeling stuck in a situation where they don’t feel seenReferences mentioned:Learning From Nichiren’s Writings: The Teachings for Victory, vol. 4, p. 28Lecture: Everything Begins With Prayer Infused With the Shared Vow of Mentor and DiscipleDiscussions on Youth, p. 8

Learn about how earthly desires can be transformed into enlightenment through chanting Nammyoho Rengekyo, leading to personal growth and happiness. Explore the concept of earthly desires causing suffering and how it relates to Buddhist teachings.

Today we're talking about unlocking our own agency when it comes to peace-building efforts and protecting our planet. Our guest is Emma Pike, of Boston, who is an activist in the field of nuclear abolition, an issue that is key to SGI Nichiren Buddhists because nuclear war represents the exact opposite of what Buddhism strives to protect: the dignity of all life. Emma shares her own inspiring journey of unlocking the courage to pursue work in this field, which began from her practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. The lessons she shares are applicable to any fight you might be currently engaged in, whether it's personal or global.CHEAT SHEET2:10 Why Emma started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo7:42: How she came to pursue a career path in nuclear abolition17:14 A brief primer on the issues27:03 How she found her place as an activist33:54 A pivotal turning point in her own confidence and hope50:23 Buddhism and nuclear abolition54:57 Advice for anyone who wants to unlock their agency when it comes to big global issuesReferencesChoose Hope Nuclear Disarmament Proposal (2009)Nothing is More Precious than Life

Today’s episode is for beginners, though the takeaways are refreshing and valuable for even seasoned chanters. Our guest is Crystal Fraser, of Colorado, who shares some basics about SGI Nichiren Buddhism and its core practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, as well as her own journey with it. We then dig into a popular question: What should we chant about and why do people talk so much about turning the impossible into possible?CHEAT SHEET0:49 How Crystal encountered Buddhism and why she started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo7:35 The basic philosophy and practice of SGI Nichiren Buddhism13:09 What changed when Crystal started chanting27:21 Why we chant about things that feel impossible46:35 The concept of human revolution48:49 Advice for anyone new to BuddhismReferences:What is Human Revolution?Sign up for 10 Days to Get Unstuck