CategoryInterview

The World Tribune sat down with Dr. Ira Helfand at the Florida Nature Culture Center in Weston, Florida, where he lectured in late July on nuclear abolition at the SGI-USA Student Division Conference. Dr. Helfand is a member of the International Steering Group of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) and is a

Living Buddhism met with Tina Cordova of the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium, which advocates for medical care and compensation for people and their families affected by nuclear bomb testing in New Mexico. The “downwinders,” who lived downwind of the testing sites, together with their families and successive generations, have experienced high rates of cancer due

Living Buddhism interviewed John Wester, archbishop of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, on the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons and the role religious communities can play in bringing about their end. Living Buddhism: Last October marked the 60th anniversary of the Cuban missile crisis, the closest the Cold War came to a full-scale nuclear war.

Living Buddhism spoke with Karen Ross, associate professor in the Department of Conflict Resolution, Human Security and Global Governance at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Dr. Ross’s research has focused on peace building, social activism and education. For the last 15 years, she has worked on issues related to the Israeli- Palestinian conflict, peace education,

Living Buddhism interviewed Virginia Benson, first director of the Ikeda Center for Peace, Learning, and Dialogue, about attending Ikeda Sensei’s second Harvard University lecture, “Mahayana Buddhism and Twenty-First Civilization,” in September 1993, and why his message is even more applicable today. Living Buddhism: Thank you for speaking with us about Ikeda Sensei’s second visit to

SGI-USA member Ken Lee, of Chateaugay, New York, is co-founder and co-CEO of Lotus Foods, a sustainable rice company that promotes human and environmental welfare. He and his wife, Caryl Levine, started the company in 1995 and have since been recognized for their efforts to mitigate climate change through regenerative rice production. Their company is

Tina Turner, known around the world as the Queen of Rock, began her practice of Nichiren Buddhism in Los Angeles in 1973. This year marks Tina’s 60th year in the music industry and her 45th year of Buddhist practice.  During the course of her career, Tina has sold more than 200 million albums and singles

Living Buddhism sat down with Ulyses Moran, of Brooklyn, New York, an guidance counselor at a transfer high school for kids who need extra support to graduate. Living Buddhism: Thank you, Ulyses, for discussing with us how you apply the concept of humanistic education to your work. What motivated you to go into education? Ulyses

On January 31, Asle Toje, deputy leader of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, gave a talk titled “The Nobel Peace Prize: Can It Influence World Peace?” at Soka University of America in Aliso Viejo, California. Living Buddhism sat down afterward with Mr. Toje to discuss the SGI’s role in contributing to world peace. Living Buddhism: Hello

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

SGI-USA member Kryssi Staikidis is a painter, professor and head of Art and Design Education at the Northern Illinois University School of Art and Design. In 2021, she was conferred the National Art Education Association’s June King McFee Award for her research and art, teaching practices that focus on community, inclusivity and social justice. World

The World Tribune spoke with Andrea Bartoli, Ph.D., an international conflict resolution expert, about his thoughts on the war between Russia and Ukraine, the use of violence in conflicts and his belief that peace is possible. He currently teaches at Seton Hall University, is a visiting fellow at the Columbia University’s Advanced Consortium on Cooperation,

Wayne Shorter, legendary American jazz saxophonist and composer, has earned worldwide recognition for his mastery of the saxophone, including six honorary doctorates and 11 Grammy Awards. The New York Times named him the foremost living composer in jazz. At age 88, together with four-time Grammy award winner Esperanza Spalding, he has completed his first opera,

SGI-USA future division member Darren Yapi is a forward for the Major League Soccer club Colorado Rapids—at 16 years old, making him the youngest signee in the club’s history. The World Tribune spoke with him about his career and how he uses his Buddhist practice in his daily life. World Tribune: Thank you for speaking

SGI-USA member Michele LaMontagne is the second woman to reach the rank of brigadier general in the New Mexico National Guard and its first female commander. The World Tribune spoke with her about her career and how she uses her Buddhist practice in her daily life. World Tribune: Thank you for speaking with us about

SGI-USA member Janice Kinjo is a celebrity makeup artist and men’s groomer in both New York and Los Angeles. The World Tribune spoke with her about her career and how she applies her Buddhist practice to her work. World Tribune: Thank you for speaking with us! How did you become a makeup artist? Janice Kinjo:

SGI-USA member Aarti Jain, of Irvine, California, is a researcher who focuses on COVID-19 projects and training workshops for visiting scholars and medical students at the University of California, Irvine. The World Tribune spoke with her about her Buddhist practice and experience as a vaccine researcher during the coronavirus pandemic. World Tribune: Thank you, Aarti,

The 81st annual George Foster Peabody Awards was held in June 2021. Among the winners was June Cross, of New York, and her team for their documentary Whose Vote Counts. Ms. Cross, a longtime SGI-USA member, is a documentary producer and professor at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, where she founded a program in

At the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards Show held on March 14, 2021, SGI-USA men’s division member John Beasley, of Venice, California, received four nominations and won Best Arrangement, Instrumental Or A Cappella for his arrangement of the jazz standard “Donna Lee.” Mr. Beasley is a multi-Grammy and Emmy-nominated pianist, composer, arranger, producer and music director

Through chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and heartfelt dialogue, we ended gun violence in our community.