Buddhability

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Today, we're talking about what it really takes to face your reality, especially when that requires taking a hard look at yourself. Our guest is Miho Saito, of Long Beach, California who shares the ups and downs of a journey in which she continually left home in search of herself in an effort to avoid things that felt too difficult to face.

Eventually, through her Buddhist practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, Miho found the courage to come home to herself.

SHOW NOTES: 

1:37 How Miho started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo

7:10 Miho lives on the road, looking to find herself

18:15 Decides to move back home

29:10 Miho finds her passion 

38:19 Finding the courage to face her problems and deeply respect her life. 

50:16 The biggest benefit of practicing Buddhism is the intangible stuff 

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“Tips & Insights” is a miniseries in which we’ll introduce one Buddhist concept each month and how it can be applied to your life.

Today’s is: Buddhism and the real world.

References:

• “The Kalpa of Decrease,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 1121
• The Power to Win Each Day
• The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 2, p. 88
• My Dear Friends in America, third edition, p. 83
• Discussions on Youth, p. 71

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Today, we're talking about how Buddhism sees obstacles in particular, those big challenges, life throws your way when you're least expecting it. Our guest is Brian Lindgren of Virginia who shares about how his buddhist practice helped him challenge his circumstances with fresh energy, helped him find a life in music and understand the deeper meaning of his problems. 

SHOW NOTES: 

1:30 How Brian encountered Buddhism 

10:40 Trying to create a life as a musician in New York and facing financial setbacks

20:00 Re-imagining his dream and going back to school. 

30:30 The bike accident that changes everything. 

40:40 In recovery, Brian brings out his grit and determination like never before. 

58:50 Getting into his PhD program and solidifying a life in music. 

1:03:25 Now that he overcame his biggest setback, he fells like anything is possible. 

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Our guest is James, of New York, who shares how a consistent practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helps him navigate some of the toughest moments of his life from dealing with addiction to finding his place and purpose. 

Note: Buddhism does not contradict medical science. If anything, for Buddhists, seeking out professional advice and support is an important step toward caring for ourselves. If you or a friend is struggling with addiction, please seek out professional help. 

SHOW NOTES: 

3:11- James discovers Buddhism one day while working at a thrift shop. 

5:00- Changes he notices after chanting. 

11:11- Not showing up for others and himself the way he wanted to. 

15:50- Telling friends about his challenges and finding ways to be accountable 

19:17- Moving back home to upstate New York. 

23:42- How Buddhism changed his family. 

27:56- Realizing that coming back home was the best move he could have made. 

31:06- How Buddhism taught him to never give up. 

37:03- Advice to anyone that wants to try chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. 

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Today we are talking about one of the most difficult but universal tendencies we experience—people-pleasing. Our guest is Megan Weinstein, of Chicago, who shares about her journey practicing Buddhism and how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helped her identify and tackle the feelings that, for too long, led her to live her life based on other people’s opinions.
 
For anyone who has ever felt like they are supposed to show up in a certain way, rather than as your true precious self, this episode is for you.

SHOW NOTES

3:43 Megan’s first breakthrough from practicing Buddhism 

8:36 The need to please everyone in her environment 

19:31 A Buddhist friend gives Megan advice

21:42 Rooting out the need for validation through chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo 

32:46 Caring for others while caring for herself 

35:00 Everything starts to change 

46:53 Advice for those just starting to give Buddhism a try 

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“Tips & Insights” is a miniseries in which we’ll introduce one Buddhist concept each month and how it can be applied to your life.

Today’s is: Bodhisattvas of the Earth.

References:

• Nichiren Buddhist Library: Bodhisattva
• The Bodhisattva Opens the Way to Happiness for All
• The Mission and Practice of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth
• Illuminate the World With the Sun of Your Youthful Vow

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Today we are talking about relationships—especially the long and complicated kind, the ones that provide us with the greatest lessons about life and love. Our guest is Mónica Lladó-Ortega, of Puerto Rico, who shares the most beautiful story of her relationship with her husband, which endured a significant breakup right in the beginning. But most encouraging of all is the story of her relationship with herself and how Buddhism helped her see her own worth.

CHEAT SHEET

4:29 How Mónica encountered Buddhism

15:35 An unexpected reunion

20:42 How a daily Buddhist practice leads to inner transformation

36:31 Entering a relationship leading with self-worth

50:52 Advice on being in love, finding love or experiencing a breakup

References

The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, Part 1

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Today, we’re talking about how to orient our lives onto a happy, healthy path, no matter what kind of circumstances we begin with.

Our guest is Melanie Santiago, of Denver, who shares how she encountered Buddhism at the young age of 13 when she was going through a tumultuous time and how learning to apply Buddhist philosophy to her life helped her shift her life state from one of suffering and victimhood to one of agency and happiness.

Trigger Warning: This episode mentions attempted suicide.

CHEAT SHEET

5:30 Why Melanie started practicing Buddhism 

22:30 How Melanie shifted the relationship with her mom 

24:50 Caring for others help us to care for ourselves 

28:27 Having the courage to establish a relationship with her dad 

35:16 Meeting her dad

41:40 Where we start from doesn’t determine how far we can go

Reference:

What can I do to improve my complicated relationship with my parentsWhat can I do to improve my complicated relationship with my parents?

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Today we're talking about what it takes to pursue a dream that forces you to battle your own ego or hopelessness. Key takeaway: Practice for self and others is the key to breaking through our own limitations. Our guest is model, Masamichi Nyunoya, of New York, who shares the story of how his parents helped him start his Buddhist practice at a crucial crossroads in his life and how he has turned to that practice again and again on his journey toward the career of his dreams. 

CHEAT SHEET

1:52 How Masa started practicing Buddhism

10:40 Where his dream of becoming a model came from

14:57 The year that changed his life

20:34 What brought him to New York City to pursue his dreams

27:12 How Buddhist study changed his practice

31:58 Learning to care for others 

35:59 His favorite Buddhist quote about art

38:09 Advice for anyone striving to pursue a big dream

References mentioned:

• “To the Next Generation of Artists” by Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter
• Discussions on Youth, pp. 29-30

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Today we’re unpacking the question: what does it mean to win every day when sometimes things take time to resolve? Our guest is Yoko Ambulo, of Chicago, who shares her journey learning Buddhist lessons about what happiness actually is, what a winning daily rhythm looks like, and why it's so important to create an arena in which you give yourself a chance to win.

CHEAT SHEAT

1:11 Why Yoko started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo

4:47 The law of cause and effect

7:30 What a winning daily rhythm looks like in Buddhist practice

11:36 How Yoko learned that happiness comes from within

15:10 A step-by-step approach to creating value from unhappiness

21:45 What winning means

28:14 One of Yoko’s favorite Buddhist quotes

29:35 How Yoko found her purpose

32:33 Her goals for 2023

38:08 Advice on how to get the most out of this year

References

• Kosen-Rufu: Our Mission, p. 241
• The New Human Revolution, vol. 16, pp. 201–02
• The New Human Revolution, vol. 25, pp. 73–74