Why do we overthink? This month, we will study Ikeda Sensei’s guidance on how to keep advancing without being trapped by thinking too much about things.
Overthinking is definitely one of the hallmark struggles of being a youth. From ruminating over that text you sent last night, doubting your potential as a candidate for a job position, to regretting the times you spent not studying for that exam you think you just bombed. Crying over spilled milk or sitting on our problems will only make us feel so paralyzed that we end up giving up too early. So how can we win over this negative tendency?
Boost your day with morning gongyo!
Let’s go back to the basics—win in the morning! Ikeda Sensei writes:
Reciting the sutra is a daily activity in which we purify and prime our hearts and minds. In the morning, it is starting the engine for our day, like grooming ourselves before we set out for the day. Some people have powerful engines, and some have weak engines. The strength of the engine dramatically affects what we accomplish throughout the course of our lives. The difference can be enormous. Diligently applying ourselves in our daily practice of the sutra recitation boosts the power of our engine. (Discussions on Youth, new edition, p. 215)
By winning in the morning, we can bring our Buddhahood everywhere we go—whether we’re studying at the library, working at our jobs or hanging out with our friends. Polishing our life with powerful gongyo and daimoku will rev up the wisdom to identify the negativity that appears in our daily lives.
The key is to fiercely chant through our concerns and turn our complaints or worries into prayers to find a path forward. Making that determination will give us the wisdom to take action with the never-give-up spirit at any moment. Therefore, it’s crucial to remember that the essential factor is to trust the Gohonzon no matter what
happens. Sensei states:
Whatever happens, maintain faith in the Gohonzon and keep chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. Just share all your joys and sorrows with the Gohonzon as you would with a caring mother or father. Pour out your whole heart. The Gohonzon will understand everything. (The New Human Revolution, vol. 30, pp. 810–11)
The biggest mistake is not making any mistakes.
College is a major inflection point in life. It’s natural for us to feel like we’re under pressure or to question our ability to contribute to society. But being paralyzed by our self-doubt is the worst thing we could do to ourselves. Sensei assures us:
You mustn’t put yourselves down or sell yourselves short. Human potential is a funny thing. If you tell yourselves that you’re not smart, your brain really will grow sluggish. Instead, tell yourselves with conviction: “My brain is asleep because I’m hardly using it. So if I just make some effort, I can do anything.” This is, in fact, the truth. The more you use your brain, the brighter you will become. Especially for those who chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and continue to make efforts, nothing is impossible. (Discussions on Youth, new edition, p. 25)
In other words, our beliefs about our capabilities become a reality. Therefore, if we tend to think negatively about ourselves or always expect the worst, our environment will reflect those convictions. However, if we actively challenge our doubts through prayer and swift action, we can naturally reorient ourselves toward self-growth and happiness. In the course of our human revolution, mistakes are inevitable. But not making any mistake is the biggest mistake we can make as youth!
Take swift action!
What does taking action mean when all you can do is wait for your test results or the job that you applied to the other day? Well, idly waiting for results will surely not bring much benefit.
Rather than simply waiting for results, we should make causes for kosen-rufu to open the way for victory and good fortune. We may think that supporting others or sharing Buddhism with a friend won’t have any effect on a personal outcome. But by continuing to challenge the fundamental ignorance within ourselves and others, we purify our lives to bring forth conspicuous and inconspicuous benefit.
No matter the situation, the path of victory opens up through our firm determination. Nichiren Daishonin urges us to, “have profound faith. A coward cannot have any of his prayers answered” (“The Strategy of the Lotus Sutra,” WND-1, 1001).
Winning over our fears and doubts comes down to refreshing our resolve each day and strengthening our efforts in faith.
Building From the Ground Up
Name: Ethan Yee
City: Peoria, Arizona
School: Arizona State University
Living Buddhism: Hi Ethan. Thank you for speaking with us. How did you start practicing Buddhism?
Ethan Yee: I was born into a family that practices Buddhism with the SGI. It was not until I was 10 years old that I began my own Buddhist practice. During that time, my dad fell sick and was later diagnosed with a rare autoimmune condition that left him bedridden. My mom encouraged me to ask my dad to teach me how to chant and do gongyo. This gave him a purpose to persevere through his health struggles. Gradually, his condition improved and through this experience, both of us were able to grow together.
What other benefits have you experienced through your Buddhist practice?
Ethan: When I entered Arizona State University (ASU), my parents wanted me to live in a dorm during my first year. I didn’t want roommates I couldn’t get along with, so I began chanting for good connections. As a direct result of my prayer, I got roommates that I ended up becoming close friends with. We still talk and hang out together.
Amazing! We understand that you have been supporting the startup of the campus club at ASU. Can you share about that?
Ethan: Yes. I initially tried to start the campus club in my freshman year, because I was one of the only students on campus who practices Buddhism with the SGI. It became difficult to balance club activities on top of my class assignments so we couldn’t get it fully up and running.
This year, I decided to give it another shot out of a desire to contribute to kosen-rufu. We were able to hold our first campus club meeting in February of this year, and three students attended. One of them was a guest! In that meeting, we studied from an article in the World Tribune and discussed our determinations for 2026, which naturally led to further dialogue.
What differed when starting the campus club this year versus in your first year?
Ethan: In the first go-around I over complicated it. I tried making long study presentations that ended up taking up a lot of my time. This year, I went for more interactive, discussion-centered meetings, which have been going well. Right now, we are meeting monthly, but I’m determined to hold activities biweekly.
My goal is that by the end of this semester, we can develop the campus club to make it an official student organization. This would give us the opportunity to have tables at student organization events that can lead to more exposure in the wider campus community.
How have you been able to personally grow from leading the campus club?
Ethan: Leading the campus club has given me reason to strengthen my sense of commitment and the leadership skills to coordinate activities for others. Since ASU is a large university, the campus club can give many students the opportunity to learn about Buddhism and build connections on a deeper, one-to-one level.
What is your vision moving forward?
Ethan: I’m now in the last semester of my undergraduate degree in molecular bioscience and biotechnology. After I graduate, I want to pursue a master’s degree—most likely at ASU—where I can continue to support the development of the campus club.
After that, I want to pursue a career in biotechnology to create life support systems with space applications. At the same time, I will continue to support behind the scenes at my local Buddhist center and engage in Ikeda Youth Ensemble activities.
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