CategoryLife Stories

Confronting a deep-rooted fear, I pave the way to shine as a bright light for my family. I’m Oona Friedland from Detroit.

Confronting life’s workaday struggles, I learn to live—and write—deeply. I’m Judy Juanita from Oakland.

Practicing for self and others, I learn to believe in my victory. 

Discovering Buddhism in my golden years, I chart a course for happiness.

Taking Ikeda Sensei as my mentor, I learn to live with gratitude and strength.

Facing my father’s illness, I learn how to hold my ground and triumph in faith.

by John Tedtaotao and Chris Alvarez Sinajana, Guam Travel inland from the Philippine Sea, past wetlands and betel nut and monkeypod trees, past two gas stations, a tire shop and a modest bridge—blink and you’ll miss the landmark: a power pole painted blue. The Tedtaotao farm doesn’t show up on Google maps, save for the

Starting from ashes, we rebuild our lives, stronger than ever.

Repeatedly challenging my self-doubt, I embark on a mission to spread Buddhism through American Sign Language. I’m Phyllis Sapp from Minneapolis.

Finding a mentor, I step boldly into a role I wasn’t taught to play—that of a father.

In a world turned upside down, good friends guide me on the path of my mission.

Finding faith, I open the way to health and joy.

Through mutually inspiring relations, I awaken my greater self. I’m Lynn Frazier from Los Angeles.

Realizing that I am vital to the happiness of my family, I enter the frame.

Staking my life on faith, I win over illness and perceive its deeper message.

Buddhist encounters lead to New York and the realization that I hold the key to the Buddha land.

Following a traumatic accident, I learn that victory lies within. I’m Brian Lindgren from Charlottesville, Virginia.

Trading perfection for resilience, I become a person of strength.

SGI-USA member Francisco Estrada-Belli, of New Orleans, is a research professor in the Middle American Research Institute at Tulane University. He is known for his expertise in Maya archaeology, remote sensing, geographic information systems and spatial analysis using digital technologies such as LiDAR (light detection and ranging). He is a National Geographic Explorer and has

Buddhism opens my life to a love transcending time.