Shows
Buddhism Talks17 - Being Buddhist in Washington@BuddhismTalks In this episode I talk to Joe Parks, an SGI Buddhist in Washington DC, about waking up with armoured cars in your city. We discuss how the greatest evils can provoke good, how societal events can be a stimulus for creating positive transformation, particularly when based on human centred philosophy. We discuss topics such as:How the stress of the current challenges can deepen our sense of what it means to be humanThe value of actions in community and the inspiration of youthThe value of deepening our sense of identity beyond race and gender to our eternal iden...
2025-09-0247 minBuddhism Talks16 - Buddhism As Training For Our Humanity @BuddhismTalks In this episode I talk to John Callahan, the former SGI Canada Men's Leader about the value of role models, challenges facing young men, and how Buddhist practice is like weight training for your humanity. His academic background in math, physics and industrial engineering opened a path to becoming a university business professor for 30 years, but it is his buddhist practice that is a large part of how happy he is as a person. Some of the topics we touch on are:Buddhism as "Intentional Optimism"How we can change the past with our shifts in the pres...
2025-08-141h 04Buddhism Talks15 - The Life of Nichiren Daishonin - The Revolutionary Buddha for Our Time@BuddhismTalks In this episode I share the best moments from two talks with Ned Boyden on the life and significance of Nichiren Daishonin, and why his teachings and courageous example are more relevant today than ever before. In this heartfelt exchange, Ned and I discuss the joy and value of reading Nichiren's writings and, as a rare treat, Ned shares some of the less commonly known details he discovered during research for his book "In the Valley of the Pine Needles - Stories of Historical Fiction based on the Life and Times of Nichiren Daishonin."For access to t...
2025-07-151h 27Buddhism Talks14 - How To Chant & "May The Force Be With You"@BuddhismTalks Buddhism is all about potential and access to our powerful enlightened life energy so we can transform our lives and our world. In this episode I use the analogy of Star Wars to share some similarities with Buddhism i.e. there is a force and some get trained to become really good at using it to win against negative forces. For buddhists that training is learning how to chant and practice this Buddhism.This podcast is a personal creative project. For the official SGI website visit: https://www.sokaglobal.org For SGI-USA official podcasts and...
2025-07-0637 minBuddhism Talks13 - The Courage Factor - Why You Can't Be Happy Without It@BuddhismTalks What a time to talk about courage! Is there anything more important? In this episode I speak with Jenny Morrison about the examples of courage in her family, her youth and in her practice. She shares her dramatic experience of changing her financial karma. We also discuss courage from the perspective of Nichiren's writings and how we can all learn from the Tatsunokuchi incident to muster both faith and courage at critical moments. For more information about Buddhism Talks or to sign up for the Our Renaissance Newsletter please visit: https://www.buddhismtalks.com ...
2025-07-061h 10Buddhism Talks12 - Buddhism and the Power of Women - The Driving Force to Change the Times@BuddhismTalks In this episode I talk to Kate Wiggins about how she transformed a very difficult childhood into her life's work supporting lives as part of youth organizations, Big Sister and the largest women's shelter in Canada. We also cover the profound encouragement to women found in essays from Daisaku Ikeda and in Nichiren's writings. To sign up for the quarterly "Our Renaissance" newsletter please visit: https://www.buddhismtalks.comThis podcast is not an official SGI podcast. For the official SGI website and more information please visit: https://www.sokaglobal.orgFor a great website and podcast series fi...
2025-06-281h 01Buddhism Talks11 - A Creative Life as a Buddhist: Why Courage is Key and How Chanting Activates It @BuddhismTalks In this episode I talk to Shuyi about how sharing a secret love of acting with a colleague led her to move from a career in tech to an acting degree at Harvard and other adventures in the pursuit of a creative life. We discuss topics such as:*Making decisions from courage and wisdom rather than a place of fear and suppression*Being aware of the stories we tell ourselves in setting personal standards for our life*The importance of making constant causes, big and small in the pursuit of our dr...
2025-06-1358 minBuddhism Talks10 - Soka (Value Creative) Education - How it relates to individual and societal happinessIt's my honour to talk to Dr. Paul Sherman about the many dimensions of Soka education i.e. What is it? Who is Tsunesaburo Makiguchi? How did Soka education start? What is its objective and how did it get to Canada? Also, how did Paul turn a tough career situation into a dream job of creating value?As Daisaku Ikeda explains: "The starting point and essence of Soka (value-creating) education is the spirit to treasure each student's individuality so that they can become happy and enjoy a glorious future. Education does not exist for the sake of the nation...
2025-06-051h 11Buddhism Talks09 - Karma - A Chance to Change the Flow of Destiny In this episode we cover why karma is a buddhist concept of empowerment, liberation and changing destiny. Basics covered include what is karma, the two types, how it can be changed and why the concept of the 9 Consciousnesses is key. Feel free to share any comments, feedback or suggestions for future topics in the section below.For more information about Nichiren Buddhism as practiced in the SGI visit: https://www.sokaglobal.orgFor podcasts and content with a youthful, contemporary approach, please visit:https://buddhability.org#sokagakkai #buddhismandlife #buddhismforbeginners #nichirenbuddhism #nichirendaishonin #nichiren #karmatheory #karma
2025-06-0357 minBuddhism Talks08 - Buddhism, Stress And Why Curiosity is KeyIn this episode I talk about the importance of creativity and curiosity as an ideal response to stresses and challenges, both from the perspective of Buddhism, as well as current thought and neuroscience.Please feel free to share your comments, questions or suggestions for future topics in the comments below.References: The writing from Nichiren Daishonin called "On Attaining Buddhahood can be found here: https://www.nichirenlibrary.org/en/wn...The article I refer to is called "How Curiosity Rewires Your Brain For Change" by neuroscientist, Anne Laure Le-Cunff and can be found here: https://bigthink.com/smart-skills/how...
2025-06-0332 minBuddhism Talks07 - Buddhism, Relationships and What Love is NotIn this episode, I share the Buddhist view of love, thoughts on what love is not, elements of health relationships and the value of all our relationships to help us become people who can develop a love for humanity.Please leave any feedback or suggestions for future episodes below in the comment section.To subscribe to our quarterly newsletter, visit https://www.buddhismtalks.comFor more information about how to practice Nichiren Buddhism in SGI visit: https://www.sokaglobal.orgFor fantastic SGI podcasts and articles that address...
2025-05-1148 minBuddhism Talks06 - Now Is The Time@BuddhismTalks In this episode Lydia and Willi discuss the importance of studying history, the dialogue "Choose Life" between the renowned historian Arnold Toynbee and Daisaku Ikeda and valuable perspectives & personal experiences on how we can change the future. To watch a short video on the Toynbee/Ikeda dialogue click here: https://www.sokaglobal.org/in-society...For information on the SGI visit: https://www.sokaglobal.orgFor SGI podcasts and great information on this buddhism in practice visit: https://buddhability.orgTo sign up for the Our Renaissance newsletter visit: https://www.buddhismtalks.com
2025-05-031h 08Buddhism Talks05 - Is Peace Possible Now - Part 2@BuddhismTalks In this second part of our discussion, we directly answer the question "Is Peace Possible Now?" and share the challenges of working for peace when faced with societal events such as the death of George Floyd or the war in Yugoslavia. The conclusion is that peace is possible if we are willing to make greater efforts and take personal responsibility. The discussion ends with "7 Things You Can Do To Bring Peace Closer", plus an 8th for the Buddhists:1. Get Creative2. Connect and Build Community3. Accelerate Goodness and Lift Others, Even If You Are Stuggling4. Stay Human - Make...
2025-04-2459 minBuddhism Talks04 - Is Peace Possible Now? - Part 1@BuddhismTalks In this episode Joe Parks, an American SGI Buddhist, and Lydia Hunziker, a Canadian SGI Buddhist, discuss the key concepts that enable us to continue to create a peaceful planet in the midst of turmoil and profound challenges. To sign up for the Our Renaissance Newsletter please visit https://www.buddhismtalks.comFor more information about SGI please visit:SGI Global: https://www.sokaglobal.orgSGI Podcasts: https://buddhability.org
2025-04-1752 minBuddhism Talks03 - The Buddhist View of Health and Why Everyone Can Have ItIn this episode I cover the buddhist concepts that helped me grow and enjoy my battle with cancer. I cover the value of illness, the power of chanting and how to chant about illness. I also share my mother's experience with her complete victory at the very end of the video.Although I chanted a lot, I am not saying everyone has to do multiple hours. This is up to each person to determine. All chanting is valuable, whether 20 min or 2 hours. *There is one correction when I quote her doctor at the end. I don't think he said "...
2025-04-1035 minBuddhism Talks02 - The Creative Power of ChantingIn this episode, I share how I started to practice, why chant and why this chant.
2025-04-0234 min
Buddhism Talks01 - The Intro to EverythingWelcome to Buddhism Talks and "The Intro to Everything." It is a short intro to the podcast, the podcaster and a bit about Buddhism itself. Here's to fresh starts, profound conversations and a new Renaissance!
2025-03-2511 min