Infinite Hope for Everyone

by Tajai Turner
30 years old
Milwaukee

When I became a licensed funeral director and CEO of a funeral home, I began longing for a strong spiritual foundation suited to my new lifestyle. Last year in June, I found the SGI online and attended an introductory meeting in Milwaukee. I was attracted to the modern-day application of the practice and the diversity of the community. I joined the SGI-USA in September 2019.

My Buddhist practice has taught me that life and death are part of a continuum, and that the most important thing is how I live right now—it’s about creating the greatest value today instead of waiting for another time or the afterlife. This understanding changed the way I interact with people and move through the world.

I chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to have a strong life force at work to support surviving family members when they need it the most. When they say, “This has been difficult, but you made it easier for me,” I know it’s because of my Buddhist practice.

The COVID-19 pandemic is reshaping the funeral industry, changing the way families grieve and celebrate the lives of their loved ones. For example, there is a limit to how many people can be in one room at a time, and this can make the grieving process even more difficult for families. Keeping this in mind, I want to always act out of compassion and uplift those around me.