Everything you need to know about chanting

Everything you need to know about chanting

Author: SGI-USA February 5, 2021 Duration: 42:45

Today we are covering some of the basics of Buddhism for anyone who might be new to chanting or simply wants a refresher. We speak with Ryan Hayashi, who starting chanting in high school, when he was going through some pretty serious challenges. Now, over 10 years later, he’s an amazing high school math teacher in Arizona and also really active in the local Buddhist community there.

If you’re new, we recommend listening to this episode all the way through, but if you just want to skip around for answers to your questions, see the cheat sheet below for timestamps.

Cheat Sheet

0:16 On how to join the February Buddhability Journey
2:41 The basics of chanting Nam-myoho-renge kyo: how, when, for how long
4:24 Should I be thinking about something while chanting?
7:15 Is chanting the same as meditation?
9:01 How does chanting make you feel? What changes will I see?
11:36 How chanting impacted Ryan’s day-to-day life as a teacher
14:54 Why chant in the first place?
17:22 What is Buddhability? What are we trying to tap into by chanting?
20:33 How is SGI Nichiren Buddhism different from other forms of Buddhism?
25:50 What’s the point of having a Buddhist community?
30:39 How does my daily practice connect to changing the world?
30:04 What if I chant and don’t feel or see any changes?
16:20 Tips for those trying chanting for the first time


It’s easy to lose sight of our own strength when life gets complicated, but what if that inherent clarity and capability never actually left? Buddhability explores that very idea through the lived experiences of everyday people. Host Cassidy Bradford guides genuine conversations with a community of practicing Buddhists from SGI-USA, who share how they navigate real-world challenges. You’ll hear personal stories that touch on everything from mental resilience and physical well-being to navigating career shifts and personal relationships. This isn’t about abstract theory; it’s a practical look at applying Buddhist principles to uncover a more confident and compassionate way of living. Each episode of the podcast feels like a thoughtful dialogue, focusing on how to reconnect with that inner resourcefulness-your Buddhability-amidst the stress and clutter of modern life. The discussions are grounded in the belief that enlightenment isn’t a distant goal, but a potential we can all access right now to improve our own lives and positively impact the world around us. Tune in for honest reflections and discover how this perspective can transform the ordinary into something extraordinary.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 244

Buddhability
Podcast Episodes
Becoming proud of where you’re from [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:07
Today we’re speaking with Krystal Kalima, a 22-year-old college student from Hawai’i who started practicing SGI Nichiren Buddhism when she was in high school.Krystal’s story is a lesson in what it takes to overcome shame…
The Strokes’ Nikolai Fraiture on Buddhism, music and collaboration [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:54
Today we’re talking about music and creativity with special guest Nikolai Fraiture, who is best known for being the bassist of The Strokes.He also created a new theme song for Buddhability, which we’re so excited for you…
How to be yourself when you’re put in a box [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:47
Today’s episode is about the power of believing in yourself, even if the people around you don’t. Having the courage to pursue the life you want isn’t easy, and it’s especially hard when the people around you put you in…
Join us Saturday for a Buddhability Talk! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11
You’re invited to a conversation hosted by Buddhability on how to overcome negative self-talk. We teamed up with Celebrity Makeup Artist Janice Kinjo, Former NFL Player Josh Scobey and Learning Behavior Specialist Jennif…
How to get unstuck from a monotonous daily life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:38
Today we’re talking about work and more specifically, how to deal with feeling stuck. If you're feeling trapped by your job or routine, or if you have a secret dream that you haven't yet had the courage to pursue, this e…
Vinessa Shaw on acting, perfectionism and success [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:11
Today’s episode is an in-depth conversation with actor Vinessa Shaw, who is known for her success as a child actor in movies such as Ladybugs and Hocus Pocus and then, as an adult, in Eyes Wide Shut and most recently, 12…
Overcoming negative self-talk… and other chanting tips [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:15
Tomorrow, we are kicking off our 31-Day Chanting Journey so today’s episode is filled with practical tips and advice on how to make the most of it, especially if one of your reasons for doing it is to address negative se…
A 31-Day Buddhability Journey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:23
Just a short announcement today to share that starting August 1 we are doing another 31-Day Buddhability Journey where we invite you to try chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo for the month of August! Sign up at www.buddhabilit…
Navigating Death and Illness [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:18
Today we are addressing how to navigate the loss of a loved one or support them through serious illness. While everyone's experience and circumstances are different, our guest, Jonathan Teran, shares his family's story,…
On self-respect and love in relationships [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:39
Today we are talking about relationships and specifically addressing a few questions that we’ve received from listeners, which are: How do I decide if the person I’m with is the one? What does Buddhism say about creating…