Each new year brings a powerful opportunity: the chance to start fresh and decide, This is my year to win.
Nichiren Buddhism urges us to make determinations—deep, unwavering commitments rooted in faith and courageous action. With prayer and consistent effort, even the boldest dreams become achievable.
Having stepped into 2026 with fresh resolutions, let’s renew our resolve again and again, recommitting with confidence to the goals we’ve set for ourselves and the progress of kosen-rufu this year.
To help us turn these renewed determinations into concrete action, here are four principles based on Ikeda Sensei’s guidance that can transform this year into one of lasting victory.
Principle #1: Decide to Achieve Something Without Fail
When we set goals, a powerful place to start is to make a firm inner decision: I will achieve this—no matter what.
With vague or undefined goals, it can be difficult to figure out where to start or what steps to take. “Become healthier,” “Make more friends” or “Get a better job” are a great start, we could get even more specific. For example, “Walk 5,000 steps a day,” “Carve out time once a week to build a friendship” or “Get a job where I can apply my passions.”
Ikeda Sensei offers this about taking the next step:
If you set a concrete goal, clearly visualize what you want to achieve and then do your absolute best, you are certain to attain results that will satisfy you. The important thing is that you make daily, diligent efforts. No matter how difficult or challenging your circumstances, you need to keep striving with all your might without giving up. (The New Human Revolution, vol. 14, revised edition, pp. 271–72)
Once we’ve clarified what we want to achieve, the next step is to deepen our “why”—connecting those goals to a purpose larger than ourselves.
Principle #2: Connect Our Personal Goals to a Profound Purpose
Every journey entails obstacles. When our goals are connected not only to our own success but to the happiness of others, we draw forth far greater strength. When we establish a deeper purpose and sense of responsibility to achieve our goals—not just for ourselves but for others too—we can overcome anything in our way.
Sensei elaborates:
Unless your dream is something that will truly contribute to your growth and self-improvement, it can end up simply being selfish and egoistic, an empty wish. A noble dream encompasses happiness, truth, altruism and peace. It is, in fact, in the pursuit of these goals—happiness, truth, altruism and peace—that we formulate dreams of genuine value and meaning. (Discussions on Youth, new edition, p. 423)
By connecting our personal dreams to the happiness of others, we can tap into the profound inner qualities necessary to realize astonishing achievements.
Principle #3: When Our Determination Weakens, Redetermine!
Throughout the year, we are bound to face obstacles that weaken our determination. A few days into the new year, as the holidays wear off, we may quite naturally question whether our goals are really possible. We can never predict what life will throw at us; and yes, sometimes our determinations take on different shapes as the months go by.
Motivation naturally rises and falls. What matters isn’t perfection but persistence—the willingness to begin again each day.
Sensei says:
Even if you have the tendency to make a determination but only stick to it for two or three days, it is OK as long as you keep refreshing that determination. (Discussions on Youth, new edition, p. 24)
If we renew our determination every three days, that equals refreshing our resolve some 120 times throughout the year. If we continue in this way, not only will we make outstanding progress toward our goals, but we will also develop into people of great perseverance who are not defeated by their circumstances.
Principle #4: Continue Chanting No Matter What Happens
Above all, chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo empowers us to bring forth courage, wisdom and hope from within. Nichiren Buddhism teaches that when we chant, we activate the life state of Buddhahood.
Sensei elaborates:
The fundamental power activating and moving all stars, planets and other celestial bodies in the universe is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. It is an incredible force. … Let’s win and open the way forward in all spheres, day after day and year after year, living in rhythm with the Mystic Law and making the entire universe our ally. (Feb. 12, 2010, World Tribune, p. 5)
The fundamental power activating and moving all stars, planets and other celestial bodies in the universe is Nam-myoho-renge-kyo. It is an incredible force. … Let’s win and open the way forward in all spheres, day after day and year after year, living in rhythm with the Mystic Law and making the entire universe our ally. (Feb. 12, 2010, World Tribune, p. 5)
When we chant with a focused determination, we propel our lives forward in the most positive direction. Through these efforts, we will definitely find ourselves on the path to victory in all our endeavors.
You are reading {{ meterCount }} of {{ meterMax }} free premium articles