CategoryExperience

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

Kathy Vichakchon DiFrancescoDALLAS Living Buddhism: Thank you for sharing your experience with us, Kathy. What was your life like before you started your Buddhist practice? Kathy Vichakchon DiFrancesco: It is an honor to share my experience. I never thought that my experience would encourage others. My parents met in New York after they both emigrated

Winning means living with joy throughout the process of challenging all our struggles.

How courageous action in faith created momentum and power. by Anthony Stone TAMPA, FLA. Growing up in a family that practiced Nichiren Buddhism, I enjoyed SGI activities for many years. After graduating into the men’s division in 2013, I began working graveyard shifts, and my practice suffered. I thought being a “good” husband and father

How living based on the oneness of mentor and disciple helped me transform my despair into hope. by Yoko CravenWest Columbia, S.C When I was 5 years old, my parents divorced, and my mother lost all hope. She tried to kill me, but I was able to escape. She then committed suicide right in front

Enrique MaganBrooklyn, New York Living Buddhism: Thank you for sharing your experience with us, Enrique. What was your life like before you started practicing Buddhism? Enrique Magan: My family was very poor, so I decided to brave the journey to the United States to help support us financially. I moved to Brooklyn, New York, from

by Robert Fisher Los Angeles I grew up the oldest of eight siblings in a working-class neighborhood in west Philadelphia. My parents instilled in us a sense of justice and self-respect, and showed us that we were not less than others, although society told us otherwise. The day I turned 6, my baby brother died.

by Tammi AsayPhoenix For as long as I can remember, I have struggled with my health. At 4 years old, I was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Some days, I felt well enough to go to recess with my classmates, but if I played too hard, I would get sick. In addition to my health

by Alex Federline Washington, D.C. During my junior year of college, severe anxiety about my future took over my well-being. When I began taking anti-anxiety medication, my best friend introduced me to Nichiren Buddhism. Although I was interested, I didn’t believe that chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo would solve this problem. My grades slipped from A’s to C’s

How a shift in my heart and prayer led to the transformation of my home, district and community. by Kris MascarenasMILLIKEN, COLO. Eight years ago, my life was stuck in the world of anger, which put tremendous strain on my family. My temper got so bad that the police were called to the house once.

How I transformed a childhood trauma into my mission to create a better world. by Ellie AustinSANTA ROSA, CALIF When I was 12, a boy at school asked me to go out with him. I said no, figuring that was the end of it. Unfortunately, he couldn’t take the rejection and began harassing me. This

With appreciation and a fighting spirit comes deep transformation. by Nick Kano ATLANTA In Spring 2014, I was 21 years old and arrested for selling drugs. Due to my intense financial struggles, dealing drugs, I thought, was the only way to make money. Fortunately the charges were dropped, but my challenges continued. One by one,

by Masayo Mukumoto GARDENA, CALIF. I learned the spirit of financial offerings from my mother. When she joined the Soka Gakkai in Japan in 1962, my family’s business had gone bankrupt, and we had many financial problems. I was 19, and the only one working. I couldn’t afford lunch, so I would tell my co-workers

Jaffar Amir Wilkerson, Atlanta Living Buddhism: Amir, thank you for sharing your story with us. Can you tell us about your upbringing? Jaffar Amir Wilkerson: Thank you! I’m honored to share my experience with you. When I was younger, my mother had many struggles in her marriage, raising nine children and keeping us financially stable.