CategoryExperience

Evelyn CarrOrange, California Living Buddhism: Thank you, Evelyn, for sharing your experience with us. How did you begin your Buddhist practice? Evelyn Carr: Thank you for the opportunity. In 1983, I moved to Southern California as a student, leaving behind the comfort of my home in Taiwan. This was a big change, and I struggled

Pursuing my mission means advancing myself, and ensuring those around me advance as well. by Ruchi Singh Central Territory Young Women’s Leader Chicago In January 2016, I moved from India to Chicago so my husband, Roop, could pursue his new job. I missed my family and friends back home and struggled to understand my mission

How my practice enabled me to speak up, value my life and treasure the person in front of me. by Susan Robins Chesterfield, S.C. When I was introduced to Buddhism in the 1980s, I had graduated from college but could not get a job. My life had no real direction, and my seniors in faith

How we have transformed our financial fortune and fostered youthful successors based on our bodhisattva vow. by Maia Guest and John Plummer Cold Spring, N.Y. World Tribune: Thank you, Maia and John, for sharing your family experience with us! We understand that your life significantly changed in 2011. What happened? John Plummer (husband): In late

Kimiko PriceWAIPAHU, HAWAII Living Buddhism: Thank you, Kimiko, for sharing your experience with us. Kimiko Price: Thank you for this opportunity. I also want to thank everyone in the SGI-USA for their tremendous support over the years. How did you begin your Buddhist practice? Kimiko: My childhood years were the darkest times of my life.

by Myeong, Alam and Jason Hasson Fresno, Calif. World Tribune: Thank you for sharing your family experience with us, Myeong and Alam. We understand you faced a major obstacle as a family when your second child was born in 2012. Can you share what happened? Myeong Hasson (wife): When Jason was born, he did not

How awakening to my mission as a Bodhisattva of the Earth helped me find meaning and protection in the most trying times. by Mac ShiomiKALAMAZOO, MICH. When I was 17, I came out for the first time. After sharing with my mother, she innocently laughed thinking it was a joke. Since I knew it was

How the power of prayer and appreciation transformed my life state, inviting boundless protection and benefits into my life. by Yuko LittleCANTON, MICH. Five months after our family moved from North Dakota to Michigan in December 2015, my husband filed for divorce. For 14 years, I had been a full-time housewife, supporting his career and

Kaydence ReedBROOKLYN, NEW YORK Living Buddhism: Thank you for sharing your experience with us, Kaydence. What was your life like growing up? Kaydence Reed: I grew up in a strict religious household, where I struggled to reconcile my sexual identity with my upbringing. I wanted to fit the mold, but being gay made that hard

How I overcame debilitating health challenges and opened my careerpath through awakening to my bodhisattva vow. by JeanneMarie MandleyCHICAGO One night in January 2017, I woke up screaming because I couldn’t feel my legs. I found out I had mononucleosis, and the virus had attacked the nerves in my spinal cord. After being paralyzed for

by Matthew Wroblewski Doe Run, Mo. How practicing for myself and others allowed me to change a life of complacency into one of action and benefits. A year after getting my bachelor’s, my life was marked with utter complacency. My average day in 2015 consisted of waking up far into the evening, playing video games

Never Give Up on Our Prayers or Dreams by Ramya Chandrasekaran and Sudarshan Srinivasan Fargo, N.D. World Tribune: We understand that you recently overcame a big challenge as a married couple. Can you tell us about it? Ramya Chandrasekaran (wife): Sudarshan and I married in 2006. We had many dreams, one of which was to

How chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with deep conviction and appreciation saved my life. by Jane PostonBedford, Texas In September 2012, I started experiencing severe symptoms of heart failure stemming from the rare disease cardiac sarcoidosis. Most nights, I laid in bed propped up with pillows because this was the only way I could sleep without my lungs

Hunter FergusonNEW YORK Living Buddhism: Thank you, Hunter, for sharing your experience with us. What were your early years like? Hunter Ferguson: I was born in Harlem and spent my early childhood in a neighborhood overrun by drugs, violence and gangs. I grew to be shy and scared, thinking people were out to hurt or

How a spirit of appreciation helped me realize I am not a victim of my circumstances. by Erin Dayanan Honolulu I grew up as a third-generation Filipino American whose grandparents immigrated to the sugarcane plantations on Oahu for a better life. The values of hard work and sacrifice were passed down to my parents, who,

How taking action for the happiness of others enabled me to face my life and heal. by William Moody New Orleans I was a teenager when my parents began the painfully long process of getting divorced. Our house was like a war zone filled with physical and verbal altercations. Many nights I would stay awake,

by Simon Webb and Michi Camarena How a mystic encounter between strangers helped connect a son and mother living across the world. World Tribune: Congratulations, Simon, on being a one-year SGI member! We heard you have a unique story about your connection to the practice. Can you tell us about that? Simon Webb (Camp Pendleton, Calif.):

How Buddhism empowered us to win over ourselves and create a harmonious family. by Molly and Lauren LeeboveDETROIT World Tribune: Congratulations, Molly, on your third year as an SGI-USA member. What was your life like before? Molly Leebove: From a young age, I developed a negative relationship with my body, and my weight was an

By Eddie Mower In 2015, my wife, Emily, went in for a routine prenatal checkup, when doctors diagnosed our unborn son with hydrocephalus. The overaccumulation of cerebral fluid causes pressure on the brain and leads to developmental issues. Without a cure or a way to treat it before birth, the doctor told us we had

How advancing based on the oneness of mentor and disciple laid the foundation for my victory and happiness. by Jenay TallyWEST TERRITORY YOUNG WOMEN’S LEADERLOS ANGELES Growing up, I witnessed infidelity between my parents, financial issues and violence. I held on to a lot of anger, and in my last semester of high school, I