Buddhability

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Amid a painful reality that can’t be changed, like a family member’s terminal disease, how can we still create hope? Today we’re discussing how tapping into our Buddhability—the limitless wisdom, courage, and compassion we each possess—can help us transform our attitude, create a beautiful life, and accomplish our dreams amid a difficult reality.

Our guest is Jonathan Cheng, of New York City, who shares how he is courageously accomplishing his dreams as a filmmaker to honor his parents and fight for their eternal happiness.

Cheat Sheet:
7:52 Why Jonathan decided to start chanting
10:26 Developing confidence in college and finding your place
13:30 Starting your first post-college job
25:28 Navigating grief at the height of COVID
31:48 Finding meaning in our struggles
39:31 Finding courage to fight for your dreams

References mentioned:
Discussions on Youth, p. 26
“Letter to the Brothers,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 499
Hope is a Decision, p. 6

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Today, we have for you the season finale of Buddhability Season 1, and we’re so excited to share some big updates about the show. 

We’ve just passed the three-year anniversary of launching Buddhability, and with it, a huge milestone, surpassing 1 million podcast downloads, and well over 100 episodes. Thank you for your support and dedication to sharing the show all this time.

Alongside this milestone, we’re welcoming a brand-new host who you’ll meet on today’s episode. Cassidy Bradford shares a little of her story and we discuss what we’ve loved about the podcast so far. Thank you for joining us along this journey and we’re looking forward to seeing you again later this fall.

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Today, October 2nd, marks the three year anniversary since our launch! We are also celebrating a milestone- hitting 1 million downloads! To commemorate this, we're going to be closing out with an exciting season finale next week. Stay tuned. 

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Here's today's question: How can Buddhism help me with this stress caused by chronic physical pain?  How can I be happy living with chronic illness? 

Buddhism teaches that falling to illness is not a form of failure or defeat. In fact illness can be an inspiration to bring out our best, most resilient selves.

References:

• https://www.worldtribune.org/2021/key-ways-to-view-and-overcome-the-suffering-of-illness/
• https://www.worldtribune.org/2022/my-chronic-illness-sometimes-makes-me-feel-hopeless-can-my-buddhist-practice-help/ 

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Here’s today’s question: Do I have to believe in chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo for it to work?

This is a question nearly every person who starts to chant has in the back of their mind. Unless spirituality or a chanting-like practice has already been part of your life for a while, it can feel very new and hard to believe in.

We want to approach this question from a few angles but first, to answer it directly: no, when you first start chanting, you do not have to believe in it or understand it for it to work. 

References:

• https://buddhability.org/practice/dont-know-much-about-buddhism/ 
• https://www.worldtribune.org/2023/buddhism-is-the-clear-mirror-that-reflects-our-lives/
• “On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 3

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Here's today's question: How can I set healthy boundaries that honor myself and others? 

One listener asked: “How can Buddhism help me and my family with setting boundaries? Setting boundaries at work seems easier than with family stuff.” 

Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo about our situation ensures that we make our decisions based on wisdom, courage and compassion, rather than trends or emotion.

References:

• https://buddhability.org/practice/how-buddhists-set-healthy-boundaries/
• https://buddhability.org/practice/supporting-others-doesnt-have-to-come-at-a-personal-cost/ 

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Here’s today’s question: What does Buddhism say about dealing with grief? Grief is something we all experience at some point in life.  One listener asked, “I've recently had a few folks die and I am trying to give myself space to have this new emotional experience but also be strong, move forward, help others and be happy. What should I do?”  Another listener wrote in, “What does Buddhism teach about grieving about sudden death and the trauma that comes with it?”   

Today we’ll discuss the Buddhist view that life and death are one.

References:

• https://www.worldtribune.org/2020/toward-a-century-of-health-4/
• https://buddhability.org/purpose/life-and-death-are-one/
• https://www.worldtribune.org/2021/a-revolutionary-view-of-life-and-death/ 

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Here’s today's question, ”Can I be angry when I chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo?” It’s actually a combination of a few questions we received. One person asked, “Some days I feel powerful and determined. Some days I feel sad and cry. But lately, I've been furious and angry. Is it okay to be furious and angry in front of my Gohonzon?” And another person asked, “Is there a way I can use my anger for good?” So let's talk about anger and chanting.

References:

• https://buddhability.org/practice/what-should-i-think-about-when-im-chanting/
• https://buddhability.org/purpose/how-to-transform-your-anger-into-positive-action/ 
• https://www.worldtribune.org/2022/resolving-conflicts-as-buddhists/ 

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Here’s today’s question, “I’m starting a new job soon and I’m wondering if you could talk a little bit about stressful transitions in life?”  We actually got quite a lot of questions about work stress or challenging professional situations. We’ll answer the question and touch on what Buddhism says about work.

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Here’s today’s question: I’m dealing with a really stressful relationship with someone close to me. Do you have any advice on what to do when someone just keeps getting under your skin?

Well first of all, who can’t relate to this one? Stress is an inevitable part of daily life, but when it manifests through a person, it tends to bring with it a whole host of other emotions – anger, frustration, blame, hopelessness, and feeling stuck in a cycle.

But Buddhism does offer some great perspective on relationships like this. Buddhist philosopher Daisaku Ikeda writes, “Our human relationships are like a mirror. So if you’re thinking to yourself, ‘If only so-and-so were a little nicer to me, I could talk to them about anything,’ then that person is probably thinking, ‘If only such-and-such would open up to me, I would be nicer to them.’ ... Therefore, you should make the first move to open the channels of communication.”

References:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKeAERp90-o&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.worldtribune.org%2F&feature=emb_imp_woyt
• https://www.worldtribune.org/2023/buddhism-is-the-clear-mirror-that-reflects-our-lives/ 
• https://buddhability.org/purpose/10-ways-to-improve-our-relationships-in-2022/