Tagplanting seeds

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

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

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

The why, the how and the who of helping others become happy.

We, the members of the Soka family, are the sowers of seeds. We sow the seeds of the Mystic Law, the supreme seeds of happiness and peace, spreading them far and wide.  Nichiren Daishonin, the Buddha of the Latter Day of the Law, writes, “All the Buddhas of the three existences and the ten directions

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

by Hiro UryuNew York Last year, I experienced the sudden and tragic loss of a dear friend. I couldn’t pick myself up and began questioning the meaning of life, faith and kosen-rufu. I desperately chanted Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and sought guidance from my seniors in faith. I felt that chanting on its own wasn’t enough. I also

When Buddhists say they’re “planting seeds,” they’re usually talking about teaching others about Nam-myoho- renge-kyo, the seed of Buddhahood. This essential component of our Buddhist practice is rooted in a profound respect for each person and the belief that all people are inherently endowed with the highest life state of Buddhahood. We talk about Buddhism

by Machiko, Yasumitsu and Mac Kimura Gardena, Calif. World Tribune: Thank you, Machiko, Yasumitsu and Mac for speaking with us. We heard that your family experienced a victory last year based on your efforts to spread Buddhism. Can you tell us what happened? Mac Kimura: In mid-2020, my father shut down his business of almost

The eternal formula for achieving personal victory and transforming our land.

by Grace, Dean and Sean Harding Santa Clara, Calif. World Tribune: Thank you for taking the time to talk with us about your efforts to share Buddhism with others as a family. Can you tell us how you started practicing Buddhism? Grace Harding: I was born into this practice in South Korea. My mother was

Fighting for kosen-rufu is the best way to live.

Did you know that some seeds can stay alive for centuries or even millennia? Seventy years ago in 1951, archaeologists excavated ancient lotus seeds from a 2,000-year-old site in Chiba, Japan. Paleobotanist Ichiro Oga revived one of the seeds, which began to sprout two months later in May 1951, the same month Josei Toda became

World Tribune: We learned that you recently had a profound experience introducing young people to Buddhism. Does this come naturally? Meryl Shapiro (New York): Not at all. I’m 73, single and never had children. As a longtime SGI member, I’ve introduced a number of youth, but in the two years I fought all out for

In The New Human Revolution, vol. 6, Ikeda Sensei recounts his trip to Egypt in 1962. While at a museum, he strikes up a conversation on Buddhism with a stranger (through the assistance of an interpreter). A Soka Gakkai youth leader, who had accompanied Sensei and witnessed the interaction, was inspired by his ability to

As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on in the United States and around the world, SGI-USA members are “planting seeds of Buddhahood” by helping those around them form a connection to Nichiren Buddhism, a philosophy and practice of hope and self-empowerment. Ikeda Sensei says: Nichiren Daishonin writes, “Even one seed, when planted, multiplies” (“Cloth for a