For Youth, a Message of Empowerment

Buddhability, SGI-USA’s online ecosystem for young people, is inspiring a new generation to believe in themselves against all odds.

US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy wrote in a recent report on the youth mental health crisis: “Young people are bombarded with messages through the media and popular culture that erode their sense of self-worth—telling them they are not good-looking enough, popular enough, smart enough or rich enough.”1 In such a climate, the SGI-USA is sending a vastly different message to youth: “You have Buddhability.”

Thousands of young people have learned about Nichiren Buddhism through Buddhability, SGI-USA’s digital ecosystem for youth. Launched in October 2020, the website, podcast, video series and network of social media channels like Instagram, Twitter and TikTok all work together to communicate Ikeda Sensei’s philosophy of Buddhist humanism to young people and connect them to the SGI-USA Buddhist community.

The platform’s core message: Buddhability is an ability we all have within ourselves to change our lives and the world around us. Most importantly, it’s not a question of if we have Buddhability, but if we choose to believe it.

Here’s a brief look at Buddhability’s first 1 1/2 years:

Buddhability has teamed up with SGI-USA members who are wellregarded in TV, film and music to spread its message of empowerment and encouragement. Artists such as Angelica Ross from Fox’s Pose; Nikolai Fraiture of the Grammy-Award winning band The Strokes; actor and TV host Fernanda Kelly; five-time GrammyAward winning jazz star Esperanza Spalding; and actor Vinessa Shaw have all appeared on the podcast or promoted Buddhability on their social media accounts. Their stories are featured alongside those of youth who have applied Buddhism to overcome illness, navigated grief, found their dream job and forged a deep sense of purpose.

What draws youth to Buddhability? Popular podcast episodes and articles cover topics such as anxiety, loneliness, imposter syndrome, overcoming negative self-talk and how to truly care for ourselves and others. In other words, Buddhability attempts to meet youth where they are, speaking to them about how Buddhist wisdom can empower them to overcome real-life problems amid these complex and turbulent times.

The platform also has found fun ways to make the practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo a part of young people’s daily lives. In February 2021, the “Buddhability Journey” was launched to challenge new users to try chanting for 28 consecutive days. Participants were sent daily newsletters, phone wallpapers, audio prompts and special videos and articles to encourage them in their first days of chanting.

780:

The number of people who have asked to be connected to a local SGIUSA district through Buddhability since last year. Some of whom have become practicing Hope Champions and full-fledged SGI-USA members.

We have the ability within to grab hold of our own happiness and change the world around us. In the coming year and beyond, Buddhablity will continue to spread this message and inspire a new generation of youth to change the current of the times. —Prepared by the Buddhability staff

NOTE:

1. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/07/science/ pandemic-adolescents-depression-anxiety.html?search ResultPosition=5 <accessed on May 11, 2022>.