In 2025, the bywords for the SGI-USA are friendship, community and successors. This means shakubuku rooted in friendship, strengthening our youth and strengthening our community, grounded in vibrant neighborhood district discussion meetings that bring together our full Soka community. In this issue, the World Tribune speaks with Nathan Chappell about restarting his Buddhist practice at a crucial moment in his health journey and the young men who helped him take that leap.
Nathan Chappell: In 2016, shortly after relocating to Virginia from Las Vegas with my mom, who was obliged to move due to her military service, I was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2). NF2 causes the growth of benign tumors throughout my body, particularly on the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves. With this diagnosis, compounded by the stress of relocating far from family and friends, my mental health began declining.
By 2023, my situation had deteriorated to the point where I was no longer able to work. After my mom’s newest reassignment back to Las Vegas, I moved to Torrance, California, to live with my grandma.
At that point, I was experiencing significant hearing loss, and the depression and anxiety became overwhelming. Feeling helpless, I realized that I needed to find a means of coping. It was during this time that I thought of my family’s Buddhist practice. I reached out to my uncle to help me get connected.
David Honda: When his uncle contacted us, I immediately reached out to
Nathan. We met up for coffee and talked about everything—from his life story to tattoos. He explained that it was difficult to maintain friendships because he felt bad that he had to ask people to repeat themselves due to his hearing loss. I assured him that there is no judgment like that in the SGI. If we had to repeat ourselves a million times, we’d do it. We just want to see you win.
Nathan: I’ve seen my mom, my family and many SGI members overcome whatever challenges they had with their Buddhist practice. It clearly helped them, and I thought maybe it could help me, too.
David connected me with other guys like Joshua Sato and a district that welcomed me. After not having a community for so long, it was nice to talk to others. At first, I just listened during the discussion meetings. But eventually, I felt comfortable enough to communicate my emotions and experiences to everyone. Having a community and chanting helped me face all my daily challenges and work through my past traumas. It silenced my insecurities and anxiety.
Joshua Sato: Deepening friendship was a big theme for me all year. I’ve always chanted for others, but it became a lot more intentional, where every morning I chanted with the thought: What can I do to encourage others?
Nathan and I had shared a great connection since we met, but this prayer really helped me win over any blockages to reach out.
In September, he learned that he would need a major surgery to remove a tumor on his right auditory nerve, which would result in him losing his hearing completely. He shared his fear of losing the ability to hear his family, friends and music. He was chanting a lot, so we all joined him in doing daimoku and keeping his spirits up.
Then, we received the great news that his condition had stabilized and that he no longer needed the surgery! We celebrated his birthday the day before with his family (he made barbecue for everyone). It was amazing to be part of this process to see him win.
Nathan: On my birthday, I shared this experience and received the Gohonzon at a Soka 2030 meeting in Torrance, with my mom present. Since then, I’ve moved back to Las Vegas with my mom. I’ve connected with members there, some of whom I know from my childhood days, and I have invited some friends to SGI activities.
Every day, I chant a lot. I have so much to think about. I’ve written down my goals for 2025 and toward 2030—like staying healthy and enrolling in the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, toward becoming a radiology technician at a hospital on base. I also chant a great deal about other people and the conflicts going on in the world. Because of the challenges I’ve experienced throughout my life, I really feel other people’s pain.
I keep this quote from Ikeda Sensei on my altar: “No life is completely smooth sailing. In fact, life is a series of hardships. We surmount such difficulties by awakening to our true mission, and such awareness gives birth to hope” (The New Human Revolution, vol. 16, revised edition, p. 121).
My life might not be perfect, but it is my life, and I embrace it as that. I still have all this time ahead of me to try and help others.
January 1, 2025 World Tribune, pp. 6–7
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