Today’s guest, Dominic Califano, of San Diego, was a timid kid who struggled to make good friends. When he started chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, however, he discovered in himself the courage and compassion to develop lasting friendship. In today’s episode, we discuss what real friendship looks like and how we can cultivate the kinds of friendship that help us grow and become happy.
Watch today's episode on our YouTube Channel.
Resources:
“Three Tripitaka Masters Pray for Rain,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 598.
The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 3, revised edition, p. 106.
The Power of Friendship
Buddhability Shorts is a monthly series where we break down a Buddhist concept or common life challenge we’ve touched on in an interview. This summer we’re answering listener questions and many of you asked about why some things you chant about don’t happen on the timeline you want. Today we’re answering that question!
To ask a question about the basics of Buddhism, you can email us at connect@buddhability.org
Resources:
The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 1, revised edition, pp. 126–28.
“Letter to Niike,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 1027.
It can be hard to find our inner voice let alone follow it. Today’s guest, Sedem Adiabu, shares how she developed the courage and strength to listen to her heart and carve out her own path.
Watch this episode on our YouTube Channel.
Resources:
The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 1, revised edition, p. 34.
We all have the same 24 hours in a day. Why is it that one person can accomplish so much more than another in those 24 hours? Buddhism teaches that everything comes down to the state of our inner lives. If our life state is joyful and determined, even a mountain is scalable in a day.
Today’s guest, Ayu Nakazaki, of Los Angeles, struggled with time management and tying her value to her achievements. Today, she tells the story of how she learned to understand time and self-worth from the perspective of Buddhism.
Watch this episode on our YouTube Channel.
Resources:
The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 1, revised edition, pp 35–36.
Buddhability Shorts is a monthly series where we break down a Buddhist concept or common life challenge we’ve touched on in an interview. This summer we’re answering listener questions and many of you asked how to chant about specific issues like relationships and career. Today we’re tackling that question.
To ask a question about the basics of Buddhism, you can email us at connect@buddhability.org
Resources:
How do I chant for ___?
“On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 3.
Eddie Laiche, of San Luis Obispo, CA, wondered what one person could possibly do about the threat of nuclear war. Today he relies on his Buddhist practice to bring him the hope and courage necessary to take steps toward peace. We discuss the Buddhist view on sustainable change and the vital role one individual can play.
You can watch today's episode on our YouTube channel.
Resources:
“On the Buddha’s Prophecy,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 402.
This summer, we're answering your questions about Buddhism and how to apply it to your life! For the next two weeks you can send us any questions you have about Buddhist practice or share a topic you'd like us to cover in an upcoming episode.
How to submit your question:
1. By voice: Send a voice message to our Instagram DMs @Buddhability or call us at (646) 580-8763.
2. By text: Instagram DM us @Buddhability or email us at connect@buddhability.org.
Please send your question by July 4th, 2025.
We may select an assortment of voice messages to share on an upcoming episode, so please submit that way only if you are comfortable having it shared on the podcast.
Buddhability Shorts is a series where we break down a Buddhist concept or common life challenge we’ve touched on in an interview. Today, we’re talking about the Buddhist perspective on perfectionism.
To ask a question about the basics of Buddhism, you can email us at connect@buddhability.org
Resources:
On the Perfectionist Bent
The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 2, revised edition, pp. 25–29.
Markell Holliday II, of Atlanta, had a habit of running away when he didn’t want to deal with something. Through chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and applying Buddhist concepts, Markell felt empowered to take full responsibility for his life. He then could do what it took to transform his relationships—especially with his father.
Today we’re talking about how we can live the most abundant life based on what is in our hearts rather than the material things we own. Sherman Edmiston III, of Brooklyn, shares his incredible journey to becoming an accomplished business man and the transformative perspectives he gained along the way.
Watch today's episode on our YouTube Channel.
Resources:
“The Three Kinds of Treasure,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, pp. 538, 1027.
The Teachings for Victory, vol. 1, pp. 195-96.
Yurika Watanabe grew up in Guam focused on her day-to-day and supporting her family. After a Buddhist family friend encouraged her to dream big, she started to envision a different future. Today, we discuss how setting goals and dreams help us accomplish things we hadn’t imagined possible.
There is a Buddhist writing that says, “Winter always turns to spring.” But when your life is in the season of winter, sometimes if can feel unending. Today’s guest, Everton Carvalho, of Baton Rouge, tells the story of how his most challenging year was followed by his most joyful.
Watch today's episode on our YouTube channel.
Resources:
The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 1, revised edition, p. 192.
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, pp. 538, 1027.
Buddhability Shorts is a series where we break down a Buddhist concept or common life challenge we’ve touched on in an interview. Today, we’re talking about how to find a fulfilling career.
To ask a question about the basics of Buddhism, you can email us at connect@buddhability.org
Episode Mentioned:
The Grind: Self-Mastery and Success in Business
Seeing Beyond My Complaints and Problems
Resources:
Discussions on Youth, pp. 76-78.
The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 1, revised edition, pp. 21, 38-39.
The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 2, revised edition, pp. 367-68.
Asking for the opinions of others can be helpful but what happens when you hear their voice louder than your own? Today’s guest, Moeko Fukada Teter, of Honolulu, says it took practice to find and trust her voice. From relationships to career hurdles, chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helped her to see her life clearly and gain self-confidence.
Truly hearing and seeing someone else can be tough. Especially if we think we’re in the right or know best. Fortunately, Buddhist practice helps us to open our minds with wisdom and compassion.
Today’s guest, Marko Bajkovic, of Costa Mesa, shares how seeing past his ego helped him embrace Buddhism and deepen his family relationships.
How does a mother in college become a superstar coach to students and even Olympians? Karen Dennis, of Columbus, Ohio, shares how her Buddhist practice led to a decorated coaching career. We discuss how Buddhism aligns with the mindset of winning athletes and coaches.
Watch this episode on our YouTube channel.
Resources
“The Hero of the World,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 835.
The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 2, revised edition, p. 172
Buddhability Shorts is a series where we break down a Buddhist concept or common life challenge we’ve touched on in an interview. Today, we’re talking about how to make difficult decisions and life without regret.
To ask a question about the basics of Buddhism, you can email us at connect@buddhability.org
Episode Mentioned:
Your Past Decisions Don’t Define Your Future
Resources:
Discussions on Youth, pp. 26, 362.
The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 1, revised edition, pp. 128-29.
Buddhism teaches that all our problems are opportunities for growth. But how could heartbreak possibly make someone better at math? Alex Scheffelin, of New York, shares how he used a moment of hopelessness to propel him to becoming a Ph.D. student at Columbia University.
With college decisions trickling in, we're airing a rerun of a May 2024 episode about college rejections.
When Ashley Park didn’t get into her first choice colleges, she was stuck in New York City balancing a jam-packed schedule. Buddhism teaches that everything moves in the direction of our happiness when we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. With that in mind, Ashley knew there must be a reason and used her Buddhist practice to discover it. Today, we discuss how winning in every area of your life leads to your ultimate growth and happiness.
References:
Discussions on Youth
Aug. 14, 1998, World Tribune, p. 9.
Cheat Sheet:
03:55 Why Ashley started practicing Buddhism at age 16
16:29 Tackling doubt after college rejections
35:27 Buddhism is about winning
40:00 How she landed the perfect job
47:37 Why her path was exactly what she needed to become happy
Chip Grossman, of Santa Monica, always thought spirituality and business were opposing goals. It wasn’t until he encountered SGI Nichiren Buddhism that he realized their deep ties. Today, Chip shares how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helped him develop the courage and strength to go after his goals and build unshakable happiness.
View today's episode on YouTube.
Resources:
The New Human Revolution, vol. 9, pp. 272–73
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 637.
The New Human Revolution, vol. 5, pp. 27–28
The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 2, revised edition, pp. 185-87.