Feature
Am I Praying Effectively?
A guide to hitting the mark with our prayer.
In this issue
Encouragement
Creating a Growing Realm of Inspiration and Empowerment
Ascending a New Summit of Kosen-rufu Together
Brief Guidances
Imparting the Light of Hope and Security to Our Young Successors
Toward A Hope-Filled Future With The Daishonin’s Writings: Words Of Encouragement from Ikeda Sensei
Experience
As Never Before
A ferocious prayer for my life and my son’s brings forth new strength and joy.
Buddhability
Coasting vs. Winning: Dream Job Edition
Need a little motivation? Listen to Shawn Lewis, of New Orleans, tell his story of how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helped him rediscover his childhood dream to work in the video game industry. He talks about how he built and sold a social media channel and created his dream career. Click here to listen.
Soka University of America
Make a Difference
Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Societal Change
My First Days of Practice
My Journey in Faith
When SGI-USA Buddhist Centers began reopening last fall, it presented the first opportunity since early 2020 for guests to receive the Gohonzon and start a new chapter of their Buddhist practice. By then, many guests throughout the country had been practicing for a year or more in a district, attending virtual meetings, chanting consistently and
Life Lessons from Nichiren
I’m doing all I can to achieve my goals, so why am I facing so many setbacks?
Answer: Especially when working hard toward something, an obstacle is often a sign of progress. Keep going, taking every setback as a chance to become stronger and wiser.
Profiles
To Change Your Karma, Go Straight for the Punch
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
Brief Guidances
Our Efforts Awaken Other Buddhas
When the conditions are right, a seed manifests its inner nature. Even the tallest tree stretching into the sky starts out as a tiny seed—a seed with enormous potential. The seed of Buddhahood, in particular, unfailingly leads to the blossoming of Buddha nature. The seed of Buddhahood, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, grows into the great flower of the
Lessons
Being on Time
In the following episode from volume 18 of The New Human Revolution, Ikeda Sensei interacts with a staff member of the the Soka Gakkai’s daily newspaper, Seikyo Shimbun, at the beginning of the work day. He appears in the novel as Shin’ichi Yamamoto. The Seikyo Shimbun staff were surprised to see Shin’ichi Yamamoto sitting by
Real Life
Q: I’m having a hard time participating in SGI activities because of a busy work schedule. How can I find a way to do everything?
A: It boils down to making a decision to do your best in everything and then having the determination not to retreat a single step. In severe circumstances, people tend to give up all too easily. They are convinced that the situation is hopeless before even considering what concrete actions they could take. In their
National Parks
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Bison, bighorn sheep, prairiedogs and black-footed ferrets live on the 244,000 acres that make up Badlands National Park in South Dakota. Well known for its rugged beauty, the park’s striking geologic formations contain one of the world’s richest fossil beds. Over millions of years, layers of rock were slowly stacked on top of each other,