Tagappreciation

Answer: Find one thing you can appreciate, take action to express appreciation for it, and repeat this each day. Every effort will help expand and enrich your heart.

It was here in Kanagawa, a place with which I share a deep connection, that I inscribed the two calligraphic works “Justice” and “Shared Struggle” in May 1979 [immediately after stepping down as third Soka Gakkai president]. Who were the first people I showed them to? It was the youth, my beloved young disciples.  We

Q: I am a longtime SGI member—currently a district leader. I am nearing retirement and still feel very young. In terms of Buddhist practice, what is the best way to create a meaningful third stage of life? A: The first thing is to have a spirit of gratitude and a dedication to kosen-rufu for as

In the light of the Buddha’s prophecy, “the last five-hundred-year period” has already begun. I say that without fail Buddhism will arise and flow forth from the east, from the land of Japan. (“On the Buddha’s Prophecy,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 401) February marks the birthdays of both Nichiren Daishonin (Feb.

Lessons from the Kamata Campaign that we can apply today.

Gratitude is a positive emotion that has long been seen by religious leaders, philosophers and many others as an important virtue. A quick glance at the world today, however, may give us a sense that it is in short supply. At the same time, science has begun to acknowledge the tangible benefits of gratitude. Studies

A: Despite our best efforts, it can be difficult to convey to our closest family members and friends the great value we derive from practicing Nichiren Buddhism. Countless SGI members, including SGI President Ikeda, have grappled with this problem. During his first U.S. visit in 1960, a woman asked at a meeting in Washington, D.C.,

Jasmine PogueBaton Rouge, La. When I received the Gohonzon in 2007, I had a lot of financial struggles. I had my car repossessed, and I was evicted from my house. I also took out predatory loans that I could not afford to pay back. Five years ago, I decided to challenge my destructive financial tendencies

How my prayer to advance kosen-rufu “set the universe in motion” for my victory. by Moonjung Cho NORFOLK, VA. In fall 2016, when I first heard the announcement about the 50,000 Lions of Justice Festival,my husband, Ram, and I determined to go all out to support the youth of Virginia South Region, while achieving our

Research shows that expressing gratitude enriches your life both mentally and physically. A study by professors Robert Emmons and Michael McCullough revealed the positive impact of gratitude based on observations of three groups that kept weekly journals. The first group focused on recording things they were grateful for, the second noted events (good or bad)

How dedicating my life to kosen-rufu, based on appreciation, saved my life.

A: Let’s start with the second part of the question, regarding the vow for kosen-rufu. As SGI members, we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo for the happiness of ourselves and others, participate in and support SGI activities, and strive to share this Buddhism with our friends. Such efforts are themselves expressions of our vow for kosen-rufu. This vow

Deepti Kedare Jain Emeryville, California Living Buddhism: Thank you, Deepti, for sharing your experience with us. How did you encounter Nichiren Buddhism? Deepti Kedare Jain: I moved to Southern California from India in 2008 to pursue a master’s degree in occupational therapy. Living apart from my family in a new country proved to be difficult.

by Melissa Miles Newark, N.J. Before practicing Buddhism, I blamed my parents for everything that was wrong with my life. I was angry because they had not provided me with the type of life that many of my friends enjoyed as a result of their parents’ wealth. I was resigned to what I thought was

The aim of Nichiren Buddhism is for each of us to establish lives of absolute, enduring happiness and to help those around us do the same. In fact, from the perspective of Buddhism, each of us has the great mission of building185 fulfilling lives, and contributing to others and to society. SGI President Ikeda explains

by Adin Strauss SGi-USA general director Thank you for your phenomenal efforts and sincere financial offerings to advance kosen-rufu. We have worked side by side with SGI President Ikeda to create historic milestones for advancing kosen-rufu in the U.S. Now we are building on these efforts to further expand our movement for the sake of

This month marks the beginning of our May Commemorative Contribution activity. Living Buddhism spoke with SGI-USA youth across the country about the spirit of making offerings and their role in moving the kosen-rufu movement forward as successors. Photos by Tomoko Gelbaum, Marc Giannavola, Debra Willaims, Jonathan Wilson Living Buddhism: : How did you first learn

Brian Nakamura Woodbridge, New Jersey Living Buddhism: Thank you, Brian, for sharing your experience with us. How did you start your Buddhist practice? Brian Nakamura: I grew up attending SGI activities with my parents, but when I became a teenager, I felt the practice was not for me. In 1999, my mother signed me up for

Gratitude means feeling thankful or returning the kindness or generosity received from others. As we practice Nichiren Buddhism, we come to understand the principle that all life and phenomena in the universe are eternal and interconnected. Nichiren Daishonin teaches that throughout our many past existences, we have formed connections with, and thus owe gratitude to,