Message from SGI-USA General Director Adin Strauss
Warm greetings to each and every member of our wonderful SGI-USA community.
I truly feel at a loss for words to express how appreciative I am at everyone’s incredible support, given so freely and in so many ways, for kosen-rufu in America and beyond.
In these most confusing and trying times, what enables a person—any person to move forward and maintain hope?
One key point is sincerity, or earnestness. In “The Gift of Rice,” Nichiren Daishonin states:
As for the matter of becoming a Buddha, ordinary people keep in mind the words “earnest resolve” and thereby become Buddhas. When we carefully consider what exactly earnest resolve refers to, it is … that in a time of famine, offering the food that is the only means for sustaining one’s life that day to the Buddha is offering one’s life to the Buddha. (The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, pp. 1125–26)
Amid unprecedented instability, economic and otherwise, you have continued to support kosen-rufu through thick and thin, giving so sincerely of your time and financial resources, the most precious things a person can have.
There can naturally be no doubt that the benefits you will receive, both conspicuous and inconspicuous, will reflect not only in your lives but in those of your family and friends, now and into the distant future.
In closing, I would like to pledge anew with profound gratitude on behalf of the SGI-USA
our determination to make the wisest and best use of your precious contributions to support our movement, our members and in so doing to support the fundamental transformation of society that we’re all seeking.
Thank you,
Adin Strauss
Standing Up for My Life
Name: Miranda Lam // City: Novato, California
Living Buddhism: Thank you for speaking with us! Can you share how you started practicing Nichiren Buddhism?
Miranda Lam: Growing up, I went to a Chinese school to learn Mandarin where I also learned about Shakyamuni Buddha. But it didn’t make a connection with my life, and I used to say that I was atheist.
When I was in high school, I found information about the track and field team at Soka University of America (SUA). Feeling warmly cared for during a campus tour, I decided to go to SUA. Shortly after I became a student, close friends I made on campus told me they practice Nichiren Buddhism.
In my senior year, my best friend invited me to a discussion meeting. It didn’t feel like I was part of an organization; it felt more like a family. A few weeks before graduating, I received the Gohonzon. I found out later that my friend had been praying for four years for me to start practicing Buddhism.
What changes have you experienced since you began practicing?
Miranda: The first benefit I received was finding a great living situation in Northern California, where I started my master’s degree. Only a few weeks after I received the Gohonzon, someone reached out, and I was able to find roommates who were also graduate students in the same school.
Another benefit I had was with my family. I grew up not seeing my cousins, and I was disconnected from my family on my father’s side. I chanted so that all of my father’s family could reconnect with each other. One after another, I got in touch with them, and last December all the cousins got together in the same room.
Incredible. What made you determined to participate in contributing last year for the first time?
Miranda: When I received the Gohonzon in May 2024, I asked if I could contribute. When I learned that I wasn’t eligible yet and needed to first develop my own faith, I felt the genuine care of the SGI.
In October 2025, my young women’s leader encouraged me that I could renew my vow for kosen-rufu and for my life through making a contribution. At first, I didn’t know how I could contribute due to my tough financial situation, but I started a sustaining contribution program as a promise to myself to take responsibility for my own happiness.
Did you see a shift in your life?
Miranda: Yes. Shortly after the May Commemorative Contribution activity, my relationship with my partner transformed. We could be more honest and respectful with each other.
Also that May, I got into a car accident, which required a lot of car repairs that took six months to complete. To my surprise, my insurance covered most of the cost, and I got my car back fully fixed. I didn’t know such a financial benefit was forthcoming!
What is your determination this year for the May Commemorative Contribution?
Miranda: Based on my experience last year, I saw how quickly benefits manifest in our lives. This year, I’m determined to create fortune and make a bigger cause for kosen-rufu, so that I can fully focus on realizing my dream of becoming a compassionate therapist.
‘Priceless Joy and Benefit’
Name: Shubham Horane // City: Detroit, Michigan
Living Buddhism: Hi Shubham! You were introduced to Nichiren Buddhism in 2023 and received the Gohonzon in 2024. Can you tell us about your journey in faith?
Shubham Horane: My first exposure to Buddhism was in my home country of India. In 2019, I moved to the U.S. and was later introduced to Nichiren Buddhism in 2023 on a first date with the person who is now my wife. From the start, it was easy for me to embrace the Buddhist practice. I was invited to an introductory meeting where I chanted Nam-myoho-renge-kyo for the first time, and felt lighter and energized instantly!
The following day, I experienced a benefit when I had overcome an important visa hurdle—something I had been challenging for the past three years.
That year when I visited my family in India, they complimented me, saying that I seemed happier and calmer. This felt like the beginning of my journey of human revolution.
Did you challenge and overcome any obstacles when you began your practice?
Shubham: Yes. A month after receiving the Gohonzon in March 2024, I lost my job due to employer funding issues. At the time, I was preparing for my upcoming wedding, and my sister back in home was challenging a significant legal battle. To add, because of my visa status, I only had 60 days to find a new job.
My fiancé encouraged me to chant for a job that would allow me to contribute to kosen-rufu. From then, I buckled down. I began chanting abundantly, supporting meetings behind the scenes as a Soka Group member and actively engaging in introducing others to Buddhism on top of searching for jobs.
May Commemorative Contribution also fell around this time, but I was not yet eligible to contribute even though I wanted to make that cause. My fiancé could participate, and despite our limited budget, she contributed on behalf of both of us. I am happy to say that I was able to find a job in Detroit 45 days into my search—one that paid significantly more than my previous one and allows me to continue advancing kosen-rufu.
Congratulations! What was it like taking part in May Commemorative Contribution for the first time?
Shubham: Having received such great benefits in 2024, I knew I wanted to contribute as soon as I hit one year of membership. When March 2025 came, I began a sustaining contribution plan and started planning for May.
I was chanting for my sister’s ongoing legal challenges to be resolved. Around the time I made my first contribution, I heard that some difficult obstacles had been removed from her path. By December, the case was closed and my family came out victorious!
How are you challenging yourself toward the upcoming May Commemorative Contribution activity?
Shubham: This year, out of a desire and appreciation to continue supporting the SGI, I’m determined to sizably increase my contribution. In addition, I am praying that more young men in Detroit emerge. I want more youth to experience the priceless joy and benefit that we can receive through practicing Buddhism.
‘Anything Is Possible’
Name: Olivia DeBonis // City: Los Angeles, California
Living Buddhism: Thank you for sharing your journey with us! First, how did you encounter this Buddhist practice?
Olivia DeBonis: In 2023, I was seeking something spiritual that would help me restart my music career. I joined a choir, and a few of the singers were practicing Nichiren Buddhism. My first meeting was a youth meeting, and seeing so many young people who were genuinely happy and passionate, inspired me. I was also seeking a structured spiritual practice with community support. I received the Gohonzon in October 2023.
How did your life shift once you began practicing Buddhism?
Olivia: For a long time, I had a massive creative block. Through my Buddhist practice, I could bring forth the courage to invest time and resources into developing my artistic skills.
In 2025, I chanted abundantly and made up my mind that I wouldn’t be blocked anymore and would start creating music. Since then, I’ve been writing every day. I also met a producer, which I was chanting for, and now we’re working on an album together! I’ve also been able to heal from past trauma I had for a long time. Supporting others as a district young women’s leader has really helped me expand my life too. I’ve recently learned that as soon as I chant in front of the Gohonzon with a decision, not a question, that “this is going to happen,” everything starts to open up.
What did you transform through participating in the May Commemorative Contribution activity last year?
Olivia: In May 2025, I had just come back from attending my first conference at the Florida Nature and Culture Center. Feeling so hopeful that anything is possible, I wrote down many goals. My biggest goal was to have work that would support my career. I learned from my women’s leader to connect my dreams to kosen-rufu. So I started chanting for my music career for kosen-rufu. I participated in May Contribution with the determination to fulfill my mission to serve humanity with my music.
Shortly after, I was able to start a job that enables me to have a lot of freedom to work on my music. Now I have my own business that helps me realize my new dream of going on a music tour to different cities. And I’m going on my first tour this year! Many of these things happened in an unexpected way, and I’m grateful for this powerful practice. All the things I wrote down that seemed out of reach last May, I’m doing right now.
What is your determination this May?
Olivia: Last year, I was still trying to understand the meaning of connecting a cause to a goal. Now that I have seen how powerful it is to make a cause in contributing, I’m even more inspired to set bigger goals this May.
Now that I have my own business as a means to realize my dream, I’m determined to contribute to kosen-rufu worldwide by creating the music that the world needs right now.
Learning the Spirit of Gratitude
Name: Tashawn Davis // City: Queens, New York
Living Buddhism: Thank you for speaking with us today, Tashawn. How did you begin your Buddhist practice?
Tashawn Davis: I was introduced to Buddhism at the end of 2022 and received the Gohonzon in December 2023. At the time, I was struggling with the loss of my father. When I first attended an SGI activity, I was warmly welcomed by the SGI members even though I knew nothing about Buddhism.
At first, I felt reserved since I grew up as a Christian, but hearing that we are all equal in practicing Buddhism—regardless of how long we have been practicing—resonated with me. I began chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo at my own comfortable pace. Gradually, I felt myself becoming more confident. I also felt I could take on responsibilities in my life without being controlled by fear.
Can you share about your first experience participating in May Commemorative Contribution?
Tashawn: Contribution was one of the first things I wanted to do when I began my Buddhist practice. I was appreciative that in New York we have multiple Buddhist centers. I wanted to contribute in order to support other places in the U.S. to have Buddhist centers too.
When I found out I couldn’t participate in the May Commemorative Contribution in 2024 because I hadn’t been a member for one year, I was devastated! This made May 2025 my first time participating. I remember the first thing I did when I got paid that month was to make my contribution. Now, year after year I want to continue contributing to support the SGI.
What are the deepest benefits you have experienced from contributing?
Tashawn: Family harmony is a big one. My father was the glue for our family, and when he passed away, we were not as close as we once were. Since joining the SGI and making my contributions, I have learned the spirit of gratitude. From then I felt it was my opportunity and mission to become the glue for my family. Now I feel like we have a different level of family harmony, and all of us have experienced a higher life condition.
Amazing! What other benefits have you received?
Tashawn: Shortly after May 2025, I supported behind the scenes for a significant meeting. Having supported many meetings, I gained more courage, and after that meeting, I determined to apply to plumbing school—something I’d been wanting to do for almost two years.
I applied and was accepted, even receiving a scholarship that paid for most of it. I truly believe that making the cause to support behind the scenes and participating in contribution gave way to that result.
Is there anything you’re challenging toward this year’s May Contribution?
Tashawn: In many ways, this year is bringing more challenges into my life. But more challenges mean I get to chant more and make more causes. I graduate plumbing school soon, and I want to kick off my new career with gratitude by making a contribution.
Further, I’m determined to keep supporting behind the scenes and supporting the members in my district to make the hardest year the greatest year.
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