Joy Inspires Joy 

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Changing Myself, Reuniting My Family

by Brian Keenan 
Oklahoma City

Around 2005, I read about jazz musician Herbie Hancock’s experience with Buddhism in a book, and his story left a lasting impression on me.

At the time, I was living in Buffalo, New York, and working with a therapist to improve my emotional well-being. When I contacted the SGI-USA center there, a member warmly encouraged me to visit. I immediately felt the strength of the community and was drawn to a Buddhist practice that emphasized taking action to transform one’s life. As I continued chanting, I began experiencing a sense of calm and relief. More important, I started changing how I saw myself and how I communicated with the people I loved.

My deepest wish was to reunite with Brandy, my wife, from whom I was separated. I chanted earnestly for the opportunity to rebuild our relationship, and gradually the way we communicated began to change. I became more thoughtful about my words and actions, and we eventually found our way back to each other. I received the Gohonzon in November 2024, and the most profound benefit has been the transformation of my heart and the restoration of our family.

Brandy noticed these changes, too, and eventually accompanied me to an SGI meeting. Today, Brandy and three of our children, ages 17, 12 and 10, are also practicing Buddhism. They have experienced the warmth of the SGI community and developed friendships of their own. Watching them embrace Buddhism has been an extraordinary joy. 

A Family Brought Together Through Faith

by Brandy Keenan
Oklahoma City

When Brian first introduced me to Buddhism, I wasn’t looking for a new spiritual practice. But I had witnessed something remarkable in him. He had changed. That transformation gave us an opportunity to rebuild our relationship and bring our family back together. Because I saw how much Buddhism meant to him, I agreed to accompany him to the SGI-USA center in Oklahoma City. Initially, I went simply to support him, but when everyone began chanting, I felt something powerful and joined in. Eventually, chanting became meaningful to me, too, and I became an SGI member this year.

As Brian and I continued attending activities, we began inviting our children to family gatherings at the center. We never insisted that they participate. We simply wanted them to experience the community that had become so important to us. Our children were warmly welcomed at SGI activities, and the members took great interest in encouraging and supporting them. Inspired by Brian’s consistent chanting, our kids eventually asked to join him. When we asked if they wanted to become SGI members, all three enthusiastically agreed.

Since then, it has been wonderful watching them develop their own connections with the SGI community. Our 12-year-old recently played trumpet at a meeting and received tremendous encouragement from the members. Our oldest attended the SGI-USA High School Conference at Soka University of America where she formed friendships she treasures. The children have discovered a community where they are accepted, encouraged and feel free to express themselves.

What began with Brian’s personal transformation has now spread throughout our family, giving each of us a source of happiness and hope.

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Discovering That Nothing Is Impossible

by Marisol Jaramillo Zuniga
Monrovia, Calif

Following my divorce and my father’s death, I struggled with depression. My child, who is nonbinary, also faced tremendous challenges, including bullying at their Catholic school that led to suicidal ideation and hospitalization. Determined to find an accepting environment, I transferred them to another school.

A Catholic friend and co-worker, whose partner practices Buddhism, told me how warmly she is welcomed when she visits an SGI-USA center. Curious, I even drove by the SGI-USA Los Angeles Friendship Center a few times but never went inside. Later, while getting my child’s hair cut, I met a Buddhist stylist who treated them with kindness and gave me information about chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

That encounter inspired me to contact the Friendship Center, where I was connected with a local district. My child and I attended an introductory meeting, where we were warmly welcomed. I began chanting daily and soon experienced remarkable benefits, like noticeable improvements at work and finding a beautiful, affordable home near my child’s school.

But my greatest benefit was overcoming the depression that had consumed me for years.

When my sister-in-law Olivia saw how happy and energetic I had become, she asked what had changed. I told her about chanting and invited her to a Spanish-language introductory meeting. Soon, we were chanting together regularly.

I received the Gohonzon in August 2026. I am determined that my child and I will become absolutely happy while encouraging others through our example.

A Change I Feel and See

by Olivia Zuniga
Huntington Park, Calif.

I have known my sister-in-law Marisol since 1998, and I remember how much she struggled after her divorce. Because we had lived together in the past, I knew firsthand how challenging that period had been for her. When I met her again in June this year at a school event for my son, I immediately noticed something different. She was smiling, looked happier and carried herself with an energy I hadn’t seen in years. I wanted to know what had happened.

Marisol told me about chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, and I decided to try it myself. At first, I chanted simply to experience the positive change I had witnessed in her. Within two weeks, I felt more energetic and resumed exercising after years of lacking motivation. I’ve continued ever since, and it has made a tremendous difference in my life.

Another unexpected benefit involved my son, Ricardo Jr. I worried about paying his college tuition, but a visit to the financial aid office revealed that he had received a scholarship covering the entire year, plus additional assistance. Overwhelmed with relief, we embraced and cried. I began wondering whether my chanting was behind these positive changes.

Ricardo had also noticed how much happier Marisol had become. I explained that we were both chanting and that the practice was helping us change our lives. Recently, I received the Gohonzon, and now I want to share Buddhism with others who are struggling. 

When Ikeda Sensei first visited America, he encouraged members to follow three guidelines: acquire U.S. citizenship, obtain a driver’s license and master English. These became a shared pledge among immigrant members, and I am determined to fulfill them. I began practicing Buddhism after witnessing the transformation of someone I love. Now, I hope my own transformation will inspire others to discover the same hope and happiness.

November 20, 2026 World Tribune, pp. 6–7