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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

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 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

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

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

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,

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

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

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

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 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

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,

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.

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 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

by Koda Jordet FARGO, N.D. I was 2 weeks old when I was adopted by the Jordet family. My life, likely similar to that of my biological parents, would become havocked with addiction and financial and relationship difficulties. At 16, I began struggling with alcoholism, which progressed to drugs. I didn’t know of healthy ways

by Yoori Yim Chicago I was 15 when I moved to New York from South Korea at my aunt’s invitation. I was excited about the opportunity to fulfill my dreams in the U.S., but little did I know that it would be the start of great obstacles. Although I tried my best to excel academically,