CategoryProfiles

Representatives from the Byakuren and Soka Group share how supporting an SGI-USA activity behind the scenes enabled them to break through their personal challenges. Both supported “EMERGE,” a Southern California youth meeting commemorating the 30th anniversary of Ikeda Sensei’s poem “Sun of Jiyu Over a New Land,” held on Jan. 29, 2023, at the SGI-USA

Reflections From Vietnam Veterans

by Lisa Delmar-EdmondsLong Beach, Calif. Subscriber since 2006 At the end of April 2022, the day after my youngest daughter, Lucia, celebrated her seventh birthday, she was admitted to the hospital following a scary seizure-like experience. She ended up being hospitalized for four weeks.  She was in extreme pain, lost the ability to hold her

by Sudarshan Srinivasan  Fargo, N.D. When I was 13, I had the opportunity to welcome Ikeda Sensei and Mrs. Ikeda to a culture festival in New Delhi, India. It seemed to me that Sensei’s life state was like the ocean, encompassing the auditorium and everyone in it. The atmosphere completely transformed when he entered the

by James Eleby Rensselaer, New York I first started doing Soka Group activities in 2015, not long after I joined the SGI. I didn’t really have a lot of structured activities in my life at that time, so it was unlike anything I had ever participated in before. Everything was so organized and dynamic.  When

by Enoa Reid Aiea, Hawaii There are times when you have to speak up. You have to stand up for yourself, for what’s right; but it can feel like hell. That’s how it was for me. I’m a chill dude, and I keep to myself. So, when it was time for me to speak up

Highlighting SGI-USA members from the Southwest applying Buddhism to daily life.

by Ray Gutoski Tampa, Fla. I encountered Nichiren Buddhism in 1967 in New York, on the lawn of Stony Brook University’s Earth and Science building, where students were holding an introductory meeting. I’d thought it was interesting, potentially quite meaningful, but I didn’t take it seriously until later that same year, when out of the

by Oona Friedland Detroit Serving as Byakuren has deepened my relationship with Ikeda Sensei, with the SGI-USA and with our global movement. Not being a participant in the meeting, but watching it through the eyes of the members we are supporting, taught me the importance of being there to facilitate a safe and harmonious space

Highlighting SGI-USA members from New York applying Buddhism to daily life.

by Lulani Tomaszewski Seattle I share Buddhism with others for three reasons: first, out of gratitude for the benefits I’ve received; second, to provide hope to others; and third, so that the wave of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo will touch the hearts of my family members who don’t practice, especially my children. In 2002, I was homeless and

Highlighting SGI-USA members from Washington applying Buddhism to daily life.

by Karen Kaplan Miami A friend of mine sat in my car’s passenger seat, crying, desperate for answers. An auto company had just called to remind her of an overdue payment. Her partner didn’t think it was a big deal, but she scrambled to resolve it immediately. She felt the burden of solving every problem

by Brian HammerLa Quinta, Calif.  Two years ago, I struggled with a lot of stress. I was going through a divorce, and the pandemic made many things feel uncertain. During one session, my therapist mentioned that, despite the challenges, my mindset was very Buddhist. Intrigued, I ended up talking to my mother, who has a

Highlighting SGI-USA members from Colorado applying Buddhism to daily life.

When SGI-USA Buddhist Centers began reopening last fall, it presented the first opportunity since early 2020 for guests to receive the Gohonzon and start a new chapter of their Buddhist practice. By then, many guests throughout the country had been practicing for a year or more in a district, attending virtual meetings, chanting consistently and

by Robert E. Lee Hanover, Penn. Back in ’82, I was told that propagating Buddhism is the quickest way to change your karma. I’ve found that to be absolutely true.  Before Buddhism, I depended on drugs to feel good. But chanting and sharing Nam-myoho-renge-kyo got those monsters off my back. I’ve since been as clean

by Rajani Falcone Cambridge, Mass.  For many years, I suffered from anxiety and depression. I was locked into a narrow view of myself and had lost sight of my potential and what I could accomplish. Even though I wanted to be a positive person and had many dreams, I was in such a dark place mentally

Highlighting SGI-USA members from Georgia applying Buddhism to daily life.

by Heather AngellSalt Lake City I was introduced to Nichiren Buddhism in 2020 by a co-worker in New Orleans. Shortly after, the pandemic began, and I moved back home to Salt Lake City. Growing up, I didn’t feel worthy or that there was a place I belonged. So I feared going back to my hometown