CategoryProfiles

by Sudarshan Srinivasan  Fargo, N.D. When I was 13, I had the opportunity to welcome Ikeda Sensei and Mrs. Ikeda to a culture festival in New Delhi, India. It seemed to me that Sensei’s life state was like the ocean, encompassing the auditorium and everyone in it. The atmosphere completely transformed when he entered the

by James Eleby Rensselaer, New York I first started doing Soka Group activities in 2015, not long after I joined the SGI. I didn’t really have a lot of structured activities in my life at that time, so it was unlike anything I had ever participated in before. Everything was so organized and dynamic.  When

Highlighting SGI-USA members from the Southwest applying Buddhism to daily life.

Planting Seeds

Highlighting SGI-USA members from New York applying Buddhism to daily life.

by Lulani Tomaszewski Seattle I share Buddhism with others for three reasons: first, out of gratitude for the benefits I’ve received; second, to provide hope to others; and third, so that the wave of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo will touch the hearts of my family members who don’t practice, especially my children. In 2002, I was homeless and

Highlighting SGI-USA members from Washington applying Buddhism to daily life.

by Brian HammerLa Quinta, Calif.  Two years ago, I struggled with a lot of stress. I was going through a divorce, and the pandemic made many things feel uncertain. During one session, my therapist mentioned that, despite the challenges, my mindset was very Buddhist. Intrigued, I ended up talking to my mother, who has a

by Karen Kaplan Miami A friend of mine sat in my car’s passenger seat, crying, desperate for answers. An auto company had just called to remind her of an overdue payment. Her partner didn’t think it was a big deal, but she scrambled to resolve it immediately. She felt the burden of solving every problem

Highlighting SGI-USA members from Colorado applying Buddhism to daily life.

by Robert E. Lee Hanover, Penn. Back in ’82, I was told that propagating Buddhism is the quickest way to change your karma. I’ve found that to be absolutely true.  Before Buddhism, I depended on drugs to feel good. But chanting and sharing Nam-myoho-renge-kyo got those monsters off my back. I’ve since been as clean

by Rajani Falcone Cambridge, Mass.  For many years, I suffered from anxiety and depression. I was locked into a narrow view of myself and had lost sight of my potential and what I could accomplish. Even though I wanted to be a positive person and had many dreams, I was in such a dark place mentally

Highlighting SGI-USA members from Georgia applying Buddhism to daily life.

by Heather AngellSalt Lake City I was introduced to Nichiren Buddhism in 2020 by a co-worker in New Orleans. Shortly after, the pandemic began, and I moved back home to Salt Lake City. Growing up, I didn’t feel worthy or that there was a place I belonged. So I feared going back to my hometown

Highlighting SGI-USA members from Northern California applying Buddhism to daily life.

Featuring SGI-USA members from Chicago.

by Masami Kelly Cambridge, Mass.  At the start of 2022, I asked myself what I needed most for my happiness. My negative self-talk often says that other people don’t like me or won’t listen to what I have to say. But I realized that I needed to live not based on anxiety but on the

Featuring members from New England.

Featuring members from Hawaii.

by Daniela RyanPalm Desert, Calif.   In June 2021, between the stress of the pandemic, the end of a bad relationship and what seemed like the start of another, I was feeling emotionally dysregulated.  Why couldn’t I get a handle on myself? This was my exasperated contribution to one memorable phone call with a friend