"First of all, as to the question of where exactly hell and the Buddha exist, one sutra states that hell exists underground and another sutra says that the Buddha is in the west. However, closer examination reveals that both exist in our five-foot body. "

This quote from the New Years Gosho tells us how Hell and Buddhahood represent the poles of the human experience: Suffering and Enlightenment. It also hints at the The Ten Worlds of Hell, Hunger, Animality, Anger, Tranquility, Rapture, Learning, Absorption, Bodhisattva and Buddhahood.

To celebrate the new year is just one way of following the inherent rhythm of the universe. Reflecting on the beginning of a new cycle gives us an opportunity to review the events of the past year and to make determinations for the next.

The basic intent of our Buddhist practice is to relieve suffering in ourselves and others. To be free of suffering is enlightenment. Revealing this state takes constant focus, effort and awareness of how we are using our lives at this moment.

The origin of suffering is found within the three poisons of greed, anger and ignorance. The law of cause and effect is very strict. If you had not made the cause, you could never get the effect. Realizing this truth is the first step to becoming a mature human being and helps eliminate unnecessary suffering.

The custom of making 'new year's resolutions' is in tune with the Buddhist concept of Honin'myo - from this moment forward, starting from now, regardless of what has happened in the past.

To continue to feel pain over the past, to suffer over events that can never be changed is a futile waste of energy; Imagining worst case scenarios and worrying needlessly over a future that may or may not happen is not only futile, it can lead to stress and illness. People who obsess in such ways experience life as hell.

Anchoring our lives in the present frees us to shape our future in the best way possible.

Intention, determination: Ichinen

In an honest self-confrontation, we should ask ourselves: are we carrying old baggage, grudges and bad habits such as worry over into this new cycle, this New Year?

The Buddha's qualities are wisdom, compassion, courage and life force. Nichiren Diashonin tells us that the way to bring these qualities out in our lives is through faith in the Gohonzon and our lives, sincere efforts to keep up a regular practice, and continued study of Buddhism. Teaching others is a vital part of our practice, and in order to speak wisely to another's heart we need to first look inside of our own.

"Misfortune comes from one's mouth and ruins him, but fortune comes from one's mind and makes him worthy of respect."
President Ikeda: 'This short passage from the New Years Gosho teaches the vital importance of ichinen, and to the extent to which one's mind, although unseen, determines one's happiness or unhappiness. In short, clever speech and an easy life based on sharp wits and shallow strategies are of absolutely no worth in the world of Buddhism.'

It's an old custom to begin the new year by making positive determinations. When we have the intention to be the best person that we possibly can while also having respect for the Buddha nature in every one of us, we've taken the first steps on the path to Buddhahood. As human beings we are in the position to affect our future and change our karma by exercising our free will. The choice is ours.

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This page was last modified on Sunday, August 20, 2006.