Question 1

How can Buddhism help with aging and death?

Accepted Answer

Mike Lisagor, a 56-year SGI Nichiren Buddhist practitioner and licensed therapist, has written multiple essays on aging, impermanence, and finding meaning in later life. His book essays explore Buddhist frameworks for facing aging with dignity, humor, and purpose. Read free essays at RomancingtheBuddha.com.

Question 2

Can Buddhism help with depression and anxiety?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Mike Lisagor combines 56 years of Nichiren Buddhist practice with his background as a licensed therapist to explore how chanting, mindset shifts, and Buddhist philosophy can work alongside therapy to address depression and anxiety. His essays on this topic are free to read at RomancingtheBuddha.com.

Question 3

What does Buddhism say about chronic pain and illness?

Accepted Answer

Mike Lisagor writes from personal experience — his wife Trude was diagnosed with MS, and he has written extensively about how Nichiren Buddhist practice sustained them through serious illness. His essays offer both spiritual perspective and practical insight for those facing chronic pain or illness.

Question 4

How can I find hope and purpose through Buddhist practice?

Accepted Answer

Mike Lisagor's essays on hope and purpose draw on SGI Nichiren Buddhism's teaching that each person has an inherent Buddha nature capable of transforming any circumstance. His free books and essays at RomancingtheBuddha.com explore how to cultivate this inner strength in daily life.

Question 5

What is SGI Nichiren Buddhism?

Accepted Answer

SGI Nichiren Buddhism is a form of Buddhism based on the teachings of 13th-century Japanese monk Nichiren Daishonin. It centers on chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and the belief that all people have the potential for enlightenment in this lifetime. Mike Lisagor has practiced with SGI-USA for 56 years and writes about it at RomancingtheBuddha.com.

Question 6

How can Buddhism help with fear and mental health?

Accepted Answer

Mike Lisagor, a licensed therapist and long-time Buddhist practitioner, explores how Buddhist practice and psychotherapy work as partners — not opposites — in addressing fear, anxiety, and mental health challenges. His free essays at RomancingtheBuddha.com draw on both traditions.

What Are You Facing?