Buddhability

The journey of self-discovery can sometimes be long and winding. Ray Guida, of Columbus, Ohio, shares how he developed the compassion and courage to live as his authentic self. We discuss the ways chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helps us face all hardships with hope and what it is like to practice SGI Nichiren Buddhism as an LGBTIQA+ person. 

With so much to learn about Buddhist history, it can be hard to know where to start! This month, we’re doing a short series covering Buddhist history. Today’s episode is about how the Lotus Sutra and Nam-myoho-renge-kyo are practiced today.

Online Articles:
About Our Community

Living The Lotus Sutra
Engaged Buddhism

Books:
Waking The Buddha

The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra Series

Reach out to us at [email protected] to get connected with a Buddhability community near you.

With so much to learn about Buddhist history, it can be hard to know where to start! This month, we’re doing a short series covering Buddhist history. Today’s episode focuses on the origins of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhist philosophy and the practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

Online Articles:
Buddhism Reaches the Shores of Japan

The Teachings of Nichiren Daishonin

Daishonin’s Life and Legacy

Books:
The Records of the Orally Transmitted Teachings Introduction

The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol.1 and vol. 2

Reach out to us at [email protected] to get connected with a Buddhability community near you.

With so much to learn about Buddhist history, it can be hard to know where to start! This month, we’re doing a short series covering Buddhist history. Today’s episode covers the early history of SGI Nichiren Buddhism.

Online Articles:
The Humanism of The Lotus Sutra
Buddhist Lineage

Books:
The Lotus Sutra and Its Opening and Closing Sutras
The Living Buddha
The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra Series
The Heart of The Lotus Sutra

Reach out to us at [email protected] to get connected with a Buddhability community near you.

Today’s guest, Bora Colak, is a psychiatrist in Brooklyn who struggled with depression for years after graduating from Harvard. When he started to practice Buddhism, something changed deep in his life. Bora shares the story of how he navigated depression, became a psychiatrist, and now uses Buddhism as the foundation for everything in his life.

Today’s episode is also available in video format on our YouTube Channel.

Resources:

Basics of Buddhism

Buddhism Applied (Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo)

Embracing Buddhism

Self-worth is tough to cultivate when we look to others for validation. One moment we’re flying high, then one harsh word sends us spiraling. Today’s guest, Nikki Gonzalez, of Oakland, shares how her Buddhist practice helped her shift from a life consumed by the opinions of others to one based on a deeply held belief in her infinite worth. We talk about how Buddhist concepts helped her change the way she looks at love and relationships and determine to become the kind of person she would be proud to be with.

Watch the video version of today's episode here.

References:

Discussions on Youth, pp. 65, 69–70, 229.

Do you feel overwhelmed and exhausted? In today’s Short, we talk about how to refresh yourself when you feel pulled in too many directions. Buddhability Shorts is a series where we break down a Buddhist concept or common life challenge we’ve touched on in an interview.

Resources:
Sept. 13, 2024, World Tribune, p. 10.
May 21, 2021, World Tribune, p. 3.
The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 3, revised edition, pp. 446-48.

Reach out to us at [email protected] to get connected with a Buddhability community near you.

What does it look like to have a fulfilling career? While no one can tell us the best life path for us, Buddhism offers a clear framework for understanding how to live with meaning and purpose. Today’s guest,  Paige Asawa of Los Angeles, shares her story of becoming an art therapist and how Buddhism helped her understand how to find a fulfilling career.

Today’s episode is also available as a video here.

If you’d like to get connected with your local Buddhability community, contact us at [email protected]

Instagram: @buddhability

Sometimes we may wish the people around us were different. Today’s guest, Brigid Perry of Boston, shares how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo honestly about her feelings toward her family helped her make a fundamental shift in the way she views them. 

Today’s episode is also available in video format here.

References:

The New Human Revolution, vol 1, pp. 173-4.

Living Buddhism, June 2024, p. 5.

The New Human Revolution, vol 30, Ch. 4.

Cheat Sheet: 

02:05 Brigid joins her sister at a Buddhist meeting

07:45 Her brother comes home due to illness

13:00 Wishing her family would change so life would be easier

21:30 How Buddhist study helped her shift her perspective

26:20 Seeing her brother in a new light

33:15 Chanting to cherish her family just as they are

39:10 A once unimaginable family moment

If you’d like to get connected with your local Buddhability community, contact us at [email protected]

Instagram: @buddhability

We have a very special episode of Buddhability! You can listen as usual or watch the video on YouTube.

Today’s guest, Orlando Bloom, sits down to discuss how his Buddhist practice has informed everything from his breakout role as Legolas in the Lord of the Rings to how he confronts his limitations in his new show To The Edge.

Orlando shares insights he’s gathered throughout his life since encountering SGI Nichiren Buddhism at age 16. He opens up about staying grounded with his sudden rise to fame, following a Buddhist example of a fulfilling life, and how he shows up to his relationships and the challenges of daily life.

In this interview, we discuss:

02:35 Orlando’s rambunctious childhood
08:46 Seeking a meaningful way of life

22:15 Practicing Buddhism when he hit sudden fame

29:27 Community is crucial for our growth
38:20 Having a mentor in life

51:00 Breaking free from self-isolation
54:45 Deciding to incorporate his practice into his new TV Show
1:00:15 Confronting fears

1:11:00 Don’t be afraid to make mistakes

1:19:12 Orlando’s advice for curious listeners

Learn more here:

Basics of Buddhism

Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo

Buddhist Community

Buddhist Philosopher Daisaku Ikeda

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