CategoryExperience

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.

How I transformed my illness by dedicating my life to kosen-rufu. by Jennifer Ohrstrom Minneapolis When I was young, I read SGI President Ikeda’s guidance to youth to actively seek out hardships and become individuals of outstanding character. My life was privileged, with everything I wanted within reach. But inspired by the SGI members who

How my prayer to advance kosen-rufu “set the universe in motion” for my victory. by Moonjung Cho NORFOLK, VA. In fall 2016, when I first heard the announcement about the 50,000 Lions of Justice Festival,my husband, Ram, and I determined to go all out to support the youth of Virginia South Region, while achieving our

How dedicating my life to kosen-rufu, based on appreciation, saved my life.

Deepti Kedare Jain Emeryville, California Living Buddhism: Thank you, Deepti, for sharing your experience with us. How did you encounter Nichiren Buddhism? Deepti Kedare Jain: I moved to Southern California from India in 2008 to pursue a master’s degree in occupational therapy. Living apart from my family in a new country proved to be difficult.

How I created a new beginning for my life based on the practice of theoneness of mentor and disciple. by Mark McOmber Salt Lake City In 1996, SGI President Ikeda came to Denver. I had the fortune of supporting his security movement and, later, attending the general meeting as a participant. At the conclusion of

by Melissa Miles Newark, N.J. Before practicing Buddhism, I blamed my parents for everything that was wrong with my life. I was angry because they had not provided me with the type of life that many of my friends enjoyed as a result of their parents’ wealth. I was resigned to what I thought was

by Yoshiko Ford Mobile, ALA. When I was 2, my mother was left to raise five children on her own after my parents divorced. Amid her struggles to provide for us, her doctor said she only had a few years to live, due to complications with severe high blood pressure. But with the promise of

by Eri Kameyama Torrance, Calif. On Dec. 21, 2016, my third daughter, Makoto, was born. Despite our efforts, she didn’t gain weight during her first year and remained developmentally like a 3-month-old. Because she could only take in small amounts of food, I had to feed her almost hourly, day and night. I was exhausted

Brian Nakamura Woodbridge, New Jersey Living Buddhism: Thank you, Brian, for sharing your experience with us. How did you start your Buddhist practice? Brian Nakamura: I grew up attending SGI activities with my parents, but when I became a teenager, I felt the practice was not for me. In 1999, my mother signed me up for

by Jim Richards New York In the 1980s, I was part of a gymnastics stunt performed by the young men at a large SGI-USA activity. We built a human pyramid on roller skates, and I was at the bottom level. I felt like giving up due to the seemingly unbearable weight on top of me,

by Bianca Jofre Miami Two years ago, I decided to pursue a career as a clinical social worker. This meant going back to school for a master’s. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, particularly because it was important for me to win as a mother, wife, full-time employee and newly appointed district women’s leader. The

by Tee Ponsukcharoen Palo Alto, Calif. In 2016, my high school friend Siraput visited me, and we shared our views on life. I explained that life was simply a chemical process governed by physical laws—there was nothing special about love, friendship and happiness. On the contrary, Siraput shared a cheerful philosophy: Life is full of

Aditya Negi Chicago Living Buddhism: Thank you, Aditya, for sharing your experience with us! Starting in January, members around the world embarked on a fresh journey to deeply study SGI President Ikeda’s serialized novel The New Human Revolution. Can you recall a passage that has encouraged you to break through your struggles? Aditya Negi: Yes, in

by Debbie Uehara Las Vegas Four years ago, I learned that my daughter, Britan, was struggling with a heroin addiction. My once high-achieving daughter became a college dropout, jobless and chose to live on the streets with her abusive boyfriend. Britan was assaulted and robbed many times, and was in and out of the emergency

by Maya Gunaseharan Laguna Hills, Calif. When my sister confronted me six years ago about how I wasn’t facing the turmoil that existed at home, I promised her that I would fight for the happiness of our family. In my heart, though, I didn’t know how it could be done. Our family environment was negative

Angelina SáenzLos Angeles Living Buddhism: Thank you, Angelina, for sharing your story with us. How did you start your Buddhist practice? Angelina Sáenz: I had a rough upbringing stained by gang violence, financial strain and family discord. In 1988, when I was 16, my family found a rundown place to live in Hollywood after being homeless