CategoryProfiles

During the COVID-19 pandemic, SGI-USA members have been courageously sharing their Buddhist practice. And while in-person meetings have not occurred since early March, many friends of members have been joining our virtual gatherings, subscribing to SGI-USA publications and beginning to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo consistently. The following are interviews with individuals who have recently started their journey

by Monica Ong The following was originally published on July 3 on tricycle.org as an audio poem read by poets Monica Ong and Randall Horton. Monica is a professional poet as well as an SGI-USA member. I wrote “Yellow Insomnia” during my own relapse of sleeplessness shortly after the murder of George Floyd. Written for two voices, the

by Cameron WashingtonLos Angeles When I started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo in 2008, I had just gone through a breakup, graduated from college and felt the mounting pressure and expectation to get a job. All the while, I was at a loss as to what my future would hold. I was searching aimlessly for some sense of purpose and

by Shreya Khuntia29 years oldWashington, D.C. I am an infectious disease epidemiologist, which is like a disease detective, and work at a health department that works closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fighting on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, I talk to a lot of people who have the coronavirus and try

by Dion Moore26 years oldWashington, D.C. The first time I went to nursing school, I was just seeking a career to sustain myself. Because I was struggling financially and wasn’t serious, I flunked out. The second time, about one year later, I realized that the only way to graduate from my program was to understand my mission

by Dwayne WilsonSouthern California North Zone Men’s Leader When I saw the video of George Floyd’s murder, I was angry. As a Black man in America, I know what it feels like to be treated less than and have to deal with racial incidents.  I’ve been stopped by the police for just walking down the street or

by Joyce Wang24 years oldCupertino, Calif. In my final semester of college in 2017, I had a full-blown manic episode. I had been introduced to Buddhism a couple weeks earlier by a fellow student, who told me that I could activate my Buddha nature by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. I remembered his words during my episode and began chanting.

by Manav Mehta27 years oldChicago I grew up praying to external deities to solve my problems. I often begged for my wishes to be realized instead of taking action myself. When things didn’t happen in my favor, I’d call myself unlucky and blame others for my unhappiness. My girlfriend, on the other hand, was hopeful and

by Lylette Primell RussellGrenada District Unit Women’s LeaderNonpareil, Grenada I run a 13-acre farm on the island of Grenada, making organic cocoa together with my husband, Kim. Living in the Caribbean, we are used to natural disasters, so when we heard about COVID-19, we started preparing right away. We had to practice self-sufficiency to ensure the future of

by Tajai Turner30 years oldMilwaukee When I became a licensed funeral director and CEO of a funeral home, I began longing for a strong spiritual foundation suited to my new lifestyle. Last year in June, I found the SGI online and attended an introductory meeting in Milwaukee. I was attracted to the modern-day application of the

by Megan Veirun27 years oldPearl River, N.Y. When I went away to college, my anxiety started to peak. Recognizing that mental health was a stigmatized area, I was drawn to study it. I’m now a registered nurse proudly working with the psychiatric population, while teaching an undergrad nursing course. I just celebrated my one-year anniversary as an

This Is a Teachable Moment by NaKia MorganFresh Meadows District Young Women’s LeaderHospital Care InvestigatorNew York As a hospital care investigator, I ensure that each person who comes to our hospital can be admitted without hindrances due to insurance or payment issues. The hospital climate, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, is mixed. Some days people operate

by Koji Cassetta27 years oldDetroit When I first picked up the bass at 14, I knew I wanted to play music for life. But I struggled with self-confidence as I pursued my dream to go to a top music program. I went to community college for four years and barely got through an algebra course that

Our efforts to awaken one youth after another have not been deterred by the coronavirus pandemic. Under the banner “One Youth. Infinite Hope. More Than Ever!” SGI-USA members are focused on enabling 6,000 young people to begin chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo right now in these uncertain times to collectively elevate the life state of humanity. Unlocking the

by Jasmine Pogue33 years old Baton Rouge, LA. I was 15 when my mom died from cancer. I tried to understand and reconcile what had happened. Around that time, a friend told me that by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, I could reconnect with my mom’s life. I wasn’t seeking spirituality, but a few years later, I accepted her invitation

by Vernard Sharif FennellNew Orleans “As long as we look at our situation with only ordinary reason, there won’t be the slightest chance for us to win. But [Nichiren] Daishonin tells us plainly that the Gohonzon has infinite power. The only question is whether or not we believe him. If we think that we are really

by Larry SingerHudson Heights District Men’s Leader New York When I was a youth, I heard so much encouragement from SGI President Ikeda about Nichiren Daishonin’s treatise “On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land”—a key point being that it’s not the land that is impure but rather the hearts and minds of the

by Joey ToroTreasured Islands Region Men’s Leader Maui, Hawaii About a month ago, we suspended operations at our family reupholstery business in Maui, Hawaii, due to the spread of COVID-19. In light of the situation, my mom, sisters and co-workers decided to use our equipment to make face masks for our family and neighbors. My