TagFamily

How I transformed my life and relationships through discovering my true value. by Joseph SchoendorfLOS ANGELES When I was 11 years old, my mother was handcuffed and escorted from our home for threatening to kill our family with a knife. She had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder four years earlier. But this was

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

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 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

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 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

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

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

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

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 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

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.