From a distance, it looked as though New Yorkers were lined up to purchase freshly squeezed lemonade. They were in fact waiting to be served free advice, with a side of empathy or even a hug, from a grandma sitting at a purple stand.
The Grandma Stand, as it came to be known, is the brainchild of Mike Matthews, who created the project in 2012 as a way to connect his own grandmother, Eileen, with his community.
Given that Eileen lived in Seattle and he in New York, Mike set up a lemonade stand and placed a laptop on the counter so his grandmother could virtually dispense sage advice to random passersby.
What started out as a one-day event became so popular that it continued every week for six years, especially among young people. Mike accredited the popularity of the stand to his grandma’s love and compassion for others. Everyone who stopped to speak with her felt uplifted and heard, and she in turn felt valued, he said.
When grandma Eileen passed away in 2018 at 102, successor grandmas took the reins. Now there are over 30 grandma stands throughout the country causing the compassionate exchanges to go viral.
Ikeda Sensei has written extensively about the significance of the “third stage of life,” to carry out one’s most important work. He writes:
Older people have great strength. Their tremendous life experience gives them a fundamental wisdom about living. They also have an extensive network of friends and acquaintances. When such people make an earnest effort for kosen-rufu, they can demonstrate many times the ability of young people. (The New Human Revolution, vol. 16, p. 55)
With their strength, wisdom and conviction in faith, our Many Treasures Group members continue to inspire, support and raise successive generations in our movement of worldwide kosen-rufu. In this issue, we carry a sampling of the answers Many Treasures Group members gave when asked by the World Tribune: What advice would you give to youth?
—Prepared by the World Tribune staff
Q: What advice would you give to youth?
Lee Malone, Redlands, California: Please strive to understand the oneness of mentor and disciple. Our mentors from Nichiren Daishonin to Ikeda Sensei left the blueprint for us to achieve happiness as individuals and to create a peaceful society. When you base your life on chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and the oneness of mentor and disciple, you are guaranteed to surmount any hardship and live the most fulfilling life. (Feb. 12, 2021, World Tribune, p. 5)
Brenda Reyes, Puerto Rico: No matter what goal you have, you can reach that goal. Chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo to have the wisdom for what you want to do in life. It’s OK to philosophize, but instead of getting hung up on every little point, just try it. Make the cause to say those words. You’ll see the difference in your life condition right away, and soon, you’ll see the change in your environment. (Aug. 12, 2022, World Tribune, p. 5)
Ray Figueroa, Brooklyn, New York: You’re going to reach a point in your life when certain struggles will strike you hard. Those are the crucial moments to lift yourself back up and redetermine to practice. There’s no shame in having tears in your eyes. Just continue moving forward with your SGI family. (April 9, 2021, World Tribune, p. 5)
Roger Algase, New York: I’d advise them to teach us old-timers more about Buddhism! Really, the youth have a lot to teach us. Other than that, I’ll just say this: No matter what, keep practicing, keep advancing. The person who does this, dissuaded and discouraged by no one, will become even happier than they could have dreamed possible. (May 13, 2022, World Tribune, p. 5)
Tobie Marsh, Long Beach, California: In youth, the future seems so uncertain. Now more than ever, it is. Young people, we’re counting on you. I bow to you, and I thank you. Don’t miss out! Put this Buddhism to the test—I guarantee your future will be bright! (Aug. 27, 2022, World Tribune, p. 7)
May 16, 2025 World Tribune, p. 11
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