Buddhability Shorts is a monthly series where we break down a Buddhist concept or common life challenge we’ve touched on in an interview. Today we’re talking about quality versus quantity when it comes to chanting.
To ask a question about the basics of Buddhism, you can email us at connect@buddhability.org
Resources:
Which is more important for chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo: quality or quantity?
The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 1, revised edition, pp. 123–24, 130.
The gap between our dreams and reality can sometimes feel impossible to close. Especially when our dream means pursuing a field that’s less traditionally “easy” to make a career from like art.
In today’s episode we sit down with two full-time artists to discuss how Buddhism helped them become full-time artists without compromising their vision. Our guests are sculptor Brian Enright, of Oakland, and animator and director Leo Matsuda, of LA. We dig into their journey and the many ways Buddhism informs their work.
A strong routine can be crucial to getting through the day when you have a full plate. But that discipline doesn’t happen over night. Enoa Reid, of Oahu, shares how the reality of adulthood helped him develop the skills needed to win every day.
Watch today's episode on our YouTube channel.
Resources:
My Dear Friends in America, fourth edition, pp. 361—62.
How can one of the most inevitable things in life still be so shocking and confusing? Oona Friedland, of Berkley, Michigan, shares the story of how she navigated the pain of illness and death, eventually creating new meaning for her life.
Buddhability Shorts is a monthly 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 overcome division in our personal lives and beyond.
To ask a question about the basics of Buddhism, you can email us at connect@buddhability.org
Resources:
The Dragon Girl
The Two Admonitions of the ‘Devadatta’ Chapter
Transforming Evil Into the Highest Good
Compassion, Wisdom and Courage: Building a Global Society of Peace and Creative Coexistence
If someone asked you to identify something getting in the way of your happiness right now, could you? It can be challenging to see ourselves clearly but doing so helps us change our lives. Our guest, Zoie Young, of Phoenix, struggled with self-worth from a young age. Through chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo she came to treasure her life, changing her self-image, relationships, and ability to dream.
Content warning: We speak about disordered eating in this episode. Please listen with care.
Watch today's episode on our YouTube Channel.
Resources:
Discussions on Youth, p. 10
July 2025 Living Buddhism, p. 45
A Foundation For Your Life, pp. 60–61
Through Suffering to Joy
Buddhability Shorts is a monthly series where we break down a Buddhist concept or common life challenge, we’ve touched on in an interview. Today we’re talking handling personal stress brought on by problems in society.
To ask a question about the basics of Buddhism, you can email us at connect@buddhability.org
Resources:
Three Keys On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land
2012 Peace Proposal—Human Security and Sustainability: Sharing Reverence for the Dignity of
“On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, pp. 6–30.
Hope Is a Decision, p. 5.
There isn’t an expiration date for our dreams. It’s our own limiting beliefs that hold us back from pursuing them. Today’s guest, Jee Hyo Kim, of the Bay Area, set a dream aside and didn’t pick it back up until after she started a career. She shares how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helped her develop the self-worth and confidence needed to make the leap.
Watch this episode on our YouTube Channel.
Resources:
You Were Born to Win, pp. 8–9.
“On the Treasure Tower,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 299.
Buddhability Shorts is a monthly 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 start and navigate a new phase of your life.
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. 165–66.
The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 2, revised edition, p. 224.
It can be hard to embrace ourselves when society often makes us feel otherwise. In this episode, we’re talking about how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo empowers us to appreciate and treasure every part of who we are.
Today’s guest, Joshua Thomas, of Portland, Oregon, shares how chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo helped him to live authentically, love his life and encourage others to do the same.
References:
The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 1, revised edition, p. 207.
The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 2, revised edition, pp. 335–36.
October 11, 2013, World Tribune, p. 9.
Whether we like it or not, we don’t exist in isolation. The interconnection of life means that when we change, our environment changes as well. Today’s guest, Heidi Hayashi, of Stratford, Conn., shares how finding the courage to live true to herself improved and deepened her family relationships.
References:
The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 2, revised edition p. 270
Buddhism Day by Day: Wisdom for Modern Life, p. 315
The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra, vol. 4, p. 20
Unlocking the Mysteries of Birth & Death
The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 1, revised edition
Believing that we each possess limitless wisdom, courage and compassion—what we call Buddhability—can be a daily battle. Many of us impose limitations on ourselves, believing that we’re not capable of accomplishing our dreams and becoming happy.
Today’s guest, Daniel Sun, of Boston, shares how he used Buddhism to overcome his limiting beliefs and become an accomplished Harvard scientist and scholar. We discuss the key role chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and studying Buddhism played in his ability to shift his mindset.
References mentioned:
A Piece of Mirror and Other Essays, pp. 39-43
The Hope-Filled Teachings of Nichiren Daishonin, p. 133
The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, pp. 3–4
The Light of Learning, p. 130
In this special Buddhability episode, we sit down with four science and aerospace professionals, speaking as private citizens, to discuss the relationship between Buddhism and space. They share perspectives on Buddhism humanism in space exploration, Buddhist theory and space science, and the eternity of life.
You can watch today’s episode on your YouTube channel.
Resources:
Space and Eternal Life: A dialogue between Chandra Wickramasinghe and Daisaku Ikeda, p. 219
The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, part 1, revised edition, pp. 113-12
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.