Buddhist Solutions for Life's Problems

SGI-USA

A family rift. Debt. Finding a career you love. Heartbreak. Tap into 3,000 years of Buddhist wisdom to find real solutions to life’s problems. Journalist Jihii Jolly explores her own Nichiren Buddhist community through the lives of everyday people—mechanics, CEOs, mothers, artists—who are applying the teachings of Buddhism to win over their most aggravating problems. Jihii has written for The New York Times and The Atlantic, and is a member of the Buddhist community Soka Gakkai International (SGI).

  1. 29/08/2022

    Sustainable Happiness

    What does Buddhism say about happiness? Better yet, how do we access it and sustain it, especially when faced with difficulties? In today’s episode, Rachel Salomonsen and Jim Krampf talk us through two of the biggest challenges to our happiness—our relationships with loved ones and situations in which we are faced with impossibly difficult circumstances. Here’s the key takeaway: By chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and taking full responsibility for our happiness, we can become people of conviction and tolerance—key qualities of a life of sustainable happiness.  Note: Buddhist Solutions for Life’s Problems is supported by subscriptions to SGI-USA publications. It will be published every other month. For access to past podcasts, the print and online editions of World Tribune and Living Buddhism and the new World Tribune app, visit worldtribune.org. References: This episode is based on the feature article from the March 2022 issue of Living Buddhism titled “Sustainable Happiness.” 7:25: October 2020 Living Buddhism, p. 15. 28:18: The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, revised edition, p. 230. 28:54: “On the Buddha’s Prophecy,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 402. 45:34: “Happiness in This World,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 681. 48:03: “Reply to Kyo’o,” The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 412. 49:14: The New Human Revolution, vol. 2, revised edition, pp. 86–87. 51:48: The Five Eternal Guidelines of the Soka Gakkai, p. 20.

    57 min
  2. 03/05/2022

    Love and Relationships

    Love is complicated, whether it’s finding a partner, making a relationship work or healing from heartbreak. Today we’re discussing what we can learn from Buddhism about how to navigate its highs and lows. The episode features the unique relationship journeys of three individuals, Tanisha Coleman, Rafael Valentin and Sara Luther, and how each used their Buddhist practice to find happiness. Here’s the key takeaway: In order To find lasting, value-creative love, we have to first develop self-love based on our own human revolution. Note: Buddhist Solutions for Life’s Problems is supported by subscriptions to SGI-USA publications. It will be published every other month. For access to past podcasts, the print and online editions of World Tribune and Living Buddhism and the new World Tribune app, visit www.worldtribune.org. References: This episode is based on the feature article from the October 2021 issue of Living Buddhism titled “A Buddhist View of Love.”  2:53 Discussions on Youth, p. 65. 6:09 Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Airman’s Odyssey (Orland: Harcourt, 1984), p. 195. 7:19 Discussions on Youth, p. 65. 9:50 Discussions on Youth, p. 70. 16:18 Soar Into the Skies of Hope, pp. 68–69. 16:58 Discussions on Youth, p. 310. 18:15 The New Human Revolution, vol. 26, p. 110. 24:49 Discussions on Youth, p. 69. 40:16 The New Human Revolution, vol. 25, p. 283. 41:34 The New Human Revolution, vol. 5, p. 78. 48:12 The Wisdom for Creating Happiness and Peace, revised part 1, p. 230.

    49 min
  3. 31/12/2020

    A Buddhist Perspective on Mental Health

    Today’s episode is about mental health, which was one of our most requested topics of the year. Because there’s so much to cover, it’s divided into four parts, which you can listen to all at once, or you can check the show notes for time stamps to skip to the section that most resonates with you, though they are best understood in total. Part 1 (4:33)We discuss what the Buddhist definition of health is and how we’re defining mental health on this episode, through a conversation with two mental health professionals who happen to also practice SGI Nichiren Buddhism, therapist Mindy Milam and psychiatrist Bora Colak. Both have different backgrounds in the mental health field and were able to share some insight on the parallels they see between their personal Buddhist practice and their professional experiences in the field of mental health. Part 2 (20:55)We hear the incredible story of a young woman named Yuko Miyama about her own mental health struggles, specifically with PTSD and depression. Part 3 (37:42)We talk to Maya Gunaseharan, Young Women’s Leader of SGI-USA about what the Buddhist perspective on mental health is, and what it takes to care for someone, whether it’s a loved one or someone in your community who is struggling with a serious mental health issue.  Part 4 (46:15)Ten concrete takeaways from the episode, based on Buddhist wisdom, if you are currently struggling with your mental health. It’s important to note that this looks different for everybody and Buddhism is reason, meaning it's extremely important to seek out professional help if you feel that is what you need. Buddhism is not an alternative to mental health support but instead a way to help you believe in yourself and manifest the wisdom and courage required to fight for your health and be the best version of you that you can be.

    57 min

Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

A family rift. Debt. Finding a career you love. Heartbreak. Tap into 3,000 years of Buddhist wisdom to find real solutions to life’s problems. Journalist Jihii Jolly explores her own Nichiren Buddhist community through the lives of everyday people—mechanics, CEOs, mothers, artists—who are applying the teachings of Buddhism to win over their most aggravating problems. Jihii has written for The New York Times and The Atlantic, and is a member of the Buddhist community Soka Gakkai International (SGI).

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