This week, I shared why I started practicing Nichiren Buddhism with the Soka Gakkai International (SGI) and the basics of this practice at a regional young women’s meeting called Ikeda Kayo Kai. Below, is the transcript and video. Enjoy!

Hi everyone! My name is Julie Taeko Gramlich, and I have been practicing this Buddhism all of my life. Buddhism is such a rich religion, and I don’t have time to go into too many details, so I will provide a high-level overview of the Buddhism that we practice here. 

The Soka Gakkai International (SGI) — A Modern Day Buddhist Organization

The SGI or Soka Gakkai International is an organization with volunteer buddhist leaders, who all practice Nichiren Buddhism in over 192 countries worldwide!

And fun fact, there are only 196 official countries in the world, so that’s pretty outstanding! Personally, I’ve been fortunate enough to practice in Hong Kong, South Korea, Denmark, Spain, Cuba, Japan, Costa Rica, and more!

Nichiren Daishonin — The Founder of Nichiren Buddhism and The Lotus Sutra

Nichiren Daishonin was a 13th century monk who studied all of Siddhartha / Shakyumuni’s sutras and chose the Lotus Sutra — one of the final ones — as the supreme teaching.

It taught that all people — regardless of their gender, socio-economic background, race, etc. — could become happy in this lifetime!                                                                                                                                                         

He also emphasized that all people, without exception, possess a Buddha nature and are inherently worthy of respect. That means that we have to fundamentally believe and recognize our own inherent value as human beings.

It was and is a very revolutionary teaching that teaches openness, and embraces diversity and inclusion.

The 3 Presidents of the SGI — Makiguchi, Toda, and Ikeda

Let’s fast-forward to the 20th century, when the first president, Makiguchi and his disciple Toda, created a Buddhist organization based on Nichiren’s teachings! 

Toda then taught everything he knew to President Ikeda, who expanded the practice with the help of many pioneer members, to 192 countries.

Daisaku Ikeda — The Current President of the Soka Gakkai International

THIRD: The President of the Soka Gakkai, Daisaku Ikeda, serves as a great example of actualizing the limitless potential that exists within each person’s life. He has dedicated his life to spreading a message of peace based on the dignity of human life, through countless meetings with world figures such as Rosa Parks, Nelson Mandela and Mikhail Gorbachev. He has also received honorary doctorates from over 300 universities around the world, and launched a number of Buddhist schools.

His philosophy of peace can be summed up as:

“When we change, the world changes. The key to all change is in our inner transformation—a change of our hearts and minds. This is human revolution.”

Thanks to the incredible work of all of these predecessors, we are now practicing Buddhism on a daily basis in our own homes, and the homes of other members!

3 Pillars to Practicing Nichiren Buddhism with the SGI — Faith, Practice, and Study

There are 3 pillars to our practice, which is sometimes compared to a 3-legged stool. You need all 3 pillars for it to be a stable foundation. In the same manner, we believe that faith, practice, and study are essential components of our Buddhist practice.

First is faith. And faith is fundamental belief in the power of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, and our inherent Buddha nature — a state of life characterized by limitless courage, wisdom, and compassion. 

Second is practice. And this means chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo on a daily basis. Simply put, Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the name of this potential or Buddha nature within our life. To chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, then, is to call forth your Buddha nature.

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is a declaration of the inherent dignity and power within the lives of all people.

And finally, practice also means practicing for yourself and for others. Just by attending this meeting, you have already made a positive cause for your life. 

Third is study — the final pillar. And study is critical, so that we stay strong in our faith, encourage other members, and grow as individuals.

The Gohonzon — Our Buddhist Altar — A Reflection of Our Inner Buddha Nature and Limitless Potential as Human Beings

Now on to the fifth point. The scroll that we chant too is called the Gohonzon, and it states Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, Nichiren down the center. If you want to know what everything stands for, you can find it on our SGI website in detail. 

Also, it is very important to note that this Gohonzon is not outside of ourselves; while it is physically outside of ourselves, it actually serves as a reflection of our own lives. And by chanting to the Gohonzon on a daily basis, we can enrich our lives, bring out our highest potentials, and polish our own lives.

Why I Practice Nichiren Buddhism with the SGI

Now, I’ll end with why I practice. 

Personally, I’ve experienced more health problems than the average 30 year-old — I would even venture to say that I am in the top 10%. Needless to say, through these intense challenges, I’ve had to rely entirely on chanting NMHRK to make positive, long-term changes in my life. 

At 14, I had severe, chronic asthma attacks for 2 years, and I was in such intense, excruciating pain and suffering that I did not have the energy to smile or even walk. I broke through this through 7+ hours of chanting on certain bad days. And by being extremely grateful for the mere fact that I was alive, and appreciative that I was able to breathe even if it was only a little bit. I also made a strong vow to make a positive contribution to society. 

Then by age 21, I ran a full marathon, in addition to a dozen half marathons. 

At age 29, I had a broken rib and cervical herniated disc in my neck, while living alone in Japan. I was in such intense pain that I could barely get in and out of bed, type, read, or do daily activities. So all I could do was chant 3+ hours a day. I also suffered from chronic eczema — a condition I had had since I was 4 years old. But I was able to cure it completely through hours upon hours of chanting, finding the perfect doctor, and being very proactive about treatment.

Thank goodness I was a student with all of these health obstacles, so I was able to focus almost entirely on getting better. And thank goodness, I had such encouraging SGI friends and family in Japan and San Francisco, otherwise, I would have been a hot mess. Also, despite all of my health challenges and being unable to read, study, or type, I was still able to get excellent grades. I am so grateful for this practice, and for all of the struggles I have been through.

It’s been a long, arduous struggle, which I am still going through, but I have consistently become stronger — physically, mentally, and emotionally — and I have a stronger foundation in faith. And most importantly, I am absolutely confident that everything I have gone through has deep meaning, will help others, and will make me a more compassionate, courageous leader for kosen rufu. 

Quote from Nichiren Daishonin — Regard Both Suffering and Joy as Facts of Life

Finally, I’ll wrap up with a quote from Nichiren Daishonin. 

“No one can avoid problems, not even sages...Suffer what there is to suffer, enjoy what there is to enjoy. Regard both suffering and joy as facts of life, and continue chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, no matter what happens.”

Thank you very much!