by Riverside Region team
RIVERSIDE, Calif.—At our July kosen-rufu gongyo meeting, Riverside Region welcomed three young men into our Soka community, each with their own unique journey and path. For each, however, genuine care and true bonds of friendship were decisive. Everyone, at every level of the organization, took responsibility to ensure the guys always felt welcome.
In time, they began to make their own distinct contributions—Dustin supporting the audio-visual team during activities at the Buddhist center; Isaiah rapping, singing and presenting study material; and David actively participating in meetings and youth activities. We created an open space where they could explore the organization at their own pace—without pressure—allowing them to genuinely experience their Buddhist practice.
There were key individuals who took full responsibility for these youth—offering rides and encouragement. Most importantly, no one gave up. Through their efforts and our community’s positivity, these guys became so integrated into the community that most forgot they were “guests” at all, speaking to the deep bonds of friendship that were formed.
Each of them experienced personal victories along the way and, quite naturally, made the decision to officially join the SGI.
It wasn’t a quick process—it truly took the effort, care and patience of everyone in the region to help them feel supported and empowered. It’s inspiring that all three chose to receive the Gohonzon on the same day—right at the start of SGI-USA’s effort to introduce 10,000 young people to the practice by January 2028 as a profound cause to transform our society. It was, by all accounts, a mystic and joyous moment.
Childhood Friends Grow Together
The World Tribune spoke with one of those young men, Dustin Pham, and his longtime friend, Kyle Villegas, about the role their friendship played in Dustin’s decision to receive the Gohonzon.
Dustin Pham: I remember Kyle inviting me to a big meeting in January 2023 celebrating the 30th year of [Ikeda Sensei’s] poem “The Sun of Jiyu Over a New Land” in Santa Monica, California. I left the meeting encouraged by watching the youth perform, seeing the big Gohonzon [at the World Culture Center] and hearing the united daimoku. When I started chanting, I had been dragging my feet to school every day, but I soon began to feel my inner darkness transforming into light. I’d been struggling with self-hatred, which hindered my relationships with others at school and in daily life. But Kyle was always there—to listen to and care about me. The SGI community and Kyle’s friendship motivated me to go to SGI meetings. Now, I can always go to the Gohonzon and love myself for who I am.
Kyle Villegas: Dustin and I have been friends since the 7th grade. I left home for college, but I kept in contact with him. When Dustin encountered struggles, I shared Nichiren Daishonin’s quotes with him. When I saw that my friend was not living his life to the fullest, I began sharing Buddhism and got him connected to my young men’s leaders in Riverside.
To me, shakubuku rooted in friendship is important because this practice is not only for myself. The focus is to grow with others. Through this process, I learned that shakubuku is not as scary as it seemed. I was afraid to express who I am, but SGI members wear their hearts on their sleeves. I realize now that it’s my benefit to tell friends I’m a Buddhist.
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