The SGI-USA recently announced their new motto for the year: Creating a District With Many Youth Is Up to Me. In this new series, the World Tribune will publish key guidance from Ikeda Sensei as well as stories of how SGI members across the country are making this motto their own. This week, the World Tribune sat down with Amber Owens, of Anniston, Alabama, about her efforts to share Buddhism with young people in her community.
World Tribune: Hi, Amber. Thank you for speaking with us today about your efforts to share Buddhism in Alabama. How did you start practicing?
Amber Owens: I was introduced to Buddhism through my mom, but my own practice didn’t develop until later in my teens. At the time, I was struggling with suicidal ideation and felt deep despair. I remembered that anytime I would go to a district discussion meeting with my mom, it made me feel so much better. They were held in the home of a pioneer member, who eventually became my grandmother-in-law. At these meetings, everyone shared openly and sincerely during discussions, and I never felt judged. It was always a very welcoming environment, so I began chanting regularly and became an SGI member.
WT: We heard that three of your friends have received the Gohonzon this year alone. Can you explain more about your inspiration to introduce people to Nichiren Buddhism?
Amber: Before the pandemic, my New Year’s resolution was to learn gongyo. Then, life hit me in the face and the pandemic happened. When I recovered from a near death experience, it made me appreciate life more, and I began to see the interconnectedness of myself and others. Once I solidified my own practice, I wanted to start sharing Buddhism.
I was very nervous at first, but as a tattoo artist, I sit with people for hours on end. I started to let people know that I was a Nichiren Buddhist. As I spoke to more people, I became more comfortable. Many people I spoke with were devout Christians and enjoyed talking about their own faith. We discussed many topics and often found common ground.
Four years ago, a good friend of mine started working at my tattoo shop. Over the years we talked about Buddhism, and she came to a meeting or two. Whenever she fell on hard times, I would go over to her house and we would chant, or I would chant while she listened.
Then, one day, out of nowhere, she said, “I want to get my Gohonzon.” She had been practicing gongyo and didn’t tell me! She had the whole first part of gongyo down. I think our friendship and support for each other over the years was crucial for her to decide on her own that she wanted to join the SGI.
Then, more recently, my husband and I were on a long drive down to New Orleans with his friend. We ended up talking about Buddhism in the car. I think based on our conversations and the consideration members showed my husband, he decided on that trip that he wanted to start practicing Buddhism in earnest, and he encouraged his friend to start practicing, too. His friend received the Gohonzon this year.
WT: Do you have any advice for those trying to share Buddhism in their communities?
Amber: Every morning and evening during gongyo, we recite the vow of the Buddha: “At all times I think to myself: How can I cause living beings to gain entry into the unsurpassed way and quickly acquire the body of a Buddha?” (The Lotus Sutra and Its Opening and Closing Sutras, pp. 270–73). I began chanting about how I could carry out this vow in my life and began organizing introduction-to-Buddhism meetings, with the support of fellow members. They have been taking place consistently for over two years now at a local bookstore in Alabama. One of the women who has been attending recently joined the SGI!
WT: Do you have any determinations for the future?
Amber: We have great momentum with new members in Anniston District, and one of our goals for this year is to become a Soka Victory District—an increasingly vibrant district, where everyone is happy and feels supported in faith.
Ikeda Sensei’s Guidance
Sharing Buddhism Is an Extension of Friendship
“What’s important is to make plenty of friends and work at solidifying those relationships. Introducing others to Buddhism and striving for kosen-rufu are extensions of the spirit of friendship that wishes to see those we care about become happy.” (Discussions on Youth, p. 249)
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