CategoryInterview

Valeriya DubrovskayaKyiv, Ukraine Living Buddhism: Hi, Valeriya! It’s an honor meeting you, and we are so appreciative of your beautiful work on the 2023 Living Buddhism covers! When did you begin creating art? Valeriya Dubrovskaya: Drawing has been with me for most of my life. In school I studied interior design and architecture, and loved

SGI-USA member Bethany Phoenix is a professor at the University of California San Francisco’s (UCSF) School of Nursing. In October 2023, she received the Psychiatric Nurse of the Year Award from the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) in recognition of her career advancing psychiatric-mental health nursing and advocating for the role of nurses in America’s

The World Tribune interviewed Orlando Cepeda about his nearly two-decade major league baseball career and how his Buddhist practice enabled him to become a spirtual champion. At 17, Mr. Cepeda moved to the U.S. from Ponce, Puerto Rico, to play baseball and, in 1958, was called to be in the majors. In his first season

The World Tribune sat down with Dr. Ira Helfand at the Florida Nature Culture Center in Weston, Florida, where he lectured in late July on nuclear abolition at the SGI-USA Student Division Conference. Dr. Helfand is a member of the International Steering Group of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) and is a

Living Buddhism met with Tina Cordova of the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium, which advocates for medical care and compensation for people and their families affected by nuclear bomb testing in New Mexico. The “downwinders,” who lived downwind of the testing sites, together with their families and successive generations, have experienced high rates of cancer due

Living Buddhism interviewed John Wester, archbishop of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, on the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons and the role religious communities can play in bringing about their end. Living Buddhism: Last October marked the 60th anniversary of the Cuban missile crisis, the closest the Cold War came to a full-scale nuclear war.

Living Buddhism spoke with Karen Ross, associate professor in the Department of Conflict Resolution, Human Security and Global Governance at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Dr. Ross’s research has focused on peace building, social activism and education. For the last 15 years, she has worked on issues related to the Israeli- Palestinian conflict, peace education,

Living Buddhism interviewed Virginia Benson, first director of the Ikeda Center for Peace, Learning, and Dialogue, about attending Ikeda Sensei’s second Harvard University lecture, “Mahayana Buddhism and Twenty-First Civilization,” in September 1993, and why his message is even more applicable today. Living Buddhism: Thank you for speaking with us about Ikeda Sensei’s second visit to

SGI-USA member Ken Lee, of Chateaugay, New York, is co-founder and co-CEO of Lotus Foods, a sustainable rice company that promotes human and environmental welfare. He and his wife, Caryl Levine, started the company in 1995 and have since been recognized for their efforts to mitigate climate change through regenerative rice production. Their company is

Tina Turner, known around the world as the Queen of Rock, began her practice of Nichiren Buddhism in Los Angeles in 1973. This year marks Tina’s 60th year in the music industry and her 45th year of Buddhist practice.  During the course of her career, Tina has sold more than 200 million albums and singles

Living Buddhism sat down with Ulyses Moran, of Brooklyn, New York, an guidance counselor at a transfer high school for kids who need extra support to graduate. Living Buddhism: Thank you, Ulyses, for discussing with us how you apply the concept of humanistic education to your work. What motivated you to go into education? Ulyses

Living Buddhism sat down with representatives of the SGI-USA high school division to discuss some of the challenges they face developing their self-worth in the age of social media. In the following discussion, Mili Fukada, of New York, Nala Thomas, of Los Angeles, and Austin Utsumi, of Dallas, share their thoughts on how social media

by Lee Malone SGI-USA Many Treasures Group Vice Men’s Leader World Tribune: Thank you, Lee, for speaking with us. You have practiced Nichiren Buddhism for several decades. How can longtime members stay refreshed in faith? Lee Malone: As we get older, things become more difficult. The mind is still there, but it’s hard to do

by Matilda Buck  SGI-USA Many Treasures Group Vice Women’s Leader World Tribune: Thank you, Matilda, for sharing your experiences with us. You’ve been practicing for over five decades. What has been the key to continually refreshing your faith over the years? Matilda Buck: If you open up the SGI-USA publications and read Ikeda Sensei’s guidance

On January 31, Asle Toje, deputy leader of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, gave a talk titled “The Nobel Peace Prize: Can It Influence World Peace?” at Soka University of America in Aliso Viejo, California. Living Buddhism sat down afterward with Mr. Toje to discuss the SGI’s role in contributing to world peace. Living Buddhism: Hello

by Sachiko Thornton West Territory Many Treasures Group Women’s Leader World Tribune: Thank you, Sachiko, for speaking with us. You have practiced Nichiren Buddhism for several decades. How do you stay refreshed in faith? Sachiko Thornton: The morning is key. Every day starts with strong morning gongyo and daimoku. That’s what keeps me fresh. And

by Guy McCloskey SGI-USA Many Treasures Group Vice Men’s Leader World Tribune: Thank you, Guy, for sharing some words with us. Guy McCloskey: Thank you very much for the opportunity. I’ve been reflecting on the questions and challenges Many Treasures Group members have shared with me, and I think we all have the same basic

SGI-USA member Francisco Estrada-Belli, of New Orleans, is a research professor in the Middle American Research Institute at Tulane University. He is known for his expertise in Maya archaeology, remote sensing, geographic information systems and spatial analysis using digital technologies such as LiDAR (light detection and ranging). He is a National Geographic Explorer and has

by Doris Edwards East Territory Many Treasures Group leader World Tribune: Thank you, Doris, for sharing your experiences with us.  Doris Edwards: Thank you for this wonderful opportunity. We Many Treasures Group members are, as I like to say, in our third stage of youth!  WT: One of the guidelines for the Many Treasures Group

SGI-USA member Jury Candelario, of Los Angeles, is a clinical social worker and AIDS advocate. He is the director of an organization that provides culturally affirming social services for vulnerable communities impacted by HIV/AIDS, behavioral health challenges and housing insecurity. He was named a local hero in 2010 by Los Angeles-based television station KCET and