The Ultimate Nam-myoho-renge-kyo Card  

Amelia: Many people discover Buddhability online or through a friend sharing a podcast, article or social media post. We wanted to create an app that puts everything at your fingertips—from courses and challenges to chanting streaks. It also includes an “Ask Buddhability” feature that draws from six years of content on our website to recommend articles and podcasts to address the user’s questions.

The app allows us to meet people where they are and help them take a step toward discovering how Buddhist practice can positively impact their lives. Going from reading an article or listening to a podcast to entering an SGI Buddhist center may feel like a big step. With the app, people can try practicing Buddhism right away and have resources to help them get started.

How is the Buddhability app different from the World Tribune and SGI-USA apps?

Amelia: The Buddhability app is meant to be a tool to introduce Buddhism to people. It’s easy to get started. All someone needs to do is download the app, and they can immediately begin exploring how Buddhism can help them in their lives.

It’s especially helpful for someone who may be interested in Buddhism but isn’t ready to attend a meeting. They can begin chanting, learning and exploring at their own pace.

Can you tell us more about the app features?

Amelia: Like I mentioned earlier, the “Ask Buddhability” function allows you to ask a question and receive an answer from the Buddhist perspective drawn from the content Buddhability has published.

There are also courses and challenges that allow you to deepen your Buddhist practice wherever you’re starting from. One of the challenges helps people “Get Unstuck in 10 Days.”

The “Chanting” tab allows you to set and track your daily chanting and personal goals and see your progress over six months or even a year.

You can also connect with friends through the app, see when they complete their goals or challenges, and you can share podcasts and articles to encourage one another.

We’ve heard the app described as the “ultimate Nam-myoho-renge-kyo card.” What does that mean? 

Amelia: Nowadays, when you meet someone, it can sometimes feel too personal to immediately give out your phone number or even connect on social media. But they can download this app, and you can add each other as “friends” to stay in touch through it.

They can also explore Buddhism on their own if meeting with others feels like a big step. 

When we share Buddhism with someone, we make many efforts to encourage them to chant, study Buddhism and attend meetings. The app can support those efforts by helping our friends chant and study even when we’re not there. That’s why it’s like the ultimate Nam-myoho-renge-kyo card.

How might that change the way members introduce Buddhism to their friends?

Amelia:It gives people an immediate next step. Instead of simply telling someone about Buddhism, we can share something they can begin using themselves.

The important thing is that the app doesn’t replace our personal efforts to encourage someone. Rather, it supports those efforts. Our friends can explore an article, listen to a podcast, try chanting or start a “Challenge” between the times we see them.

That sounds great. How can members share the app with friends and guests?

Amelia:The app is available through the App Store and the Google Play Store, so members are just a click away from texting or emailing the link to anyone they’re sharing Buddhism with.

My hope is that members will really use it as a tool for introducing Buddhism—to connect with friends, encourage them and give them an easy way to experience the practice for themselves.

August 21, 2026 World Tribune, pp. 6–7