There is a young man that I have introduced to Nichiren Buddhism. It has been my pleasure to support Thomas for the past couple of years. Supporting him is also a great benefit for me because it causes me to strengthen my faith. Last night we read from the Gosho which is a collection of Nichiren Daishonin’s writings.

My favorite gosho is, “On Attaining Buddhahood in this Lifetime.” I asked my friend Thomas to read the first page. I love reading the Gosho and it is also challenging. There is a lot packed in each paragraph, so it can be intense. Getting another person’s perspective can be insightful. His interpretation of course, was not the same as mine. Listening to him speak, deepened my understanding and for that I am grateful.

I decided for the New Year that I am going to read the entire Gosho by the end of the year. I did the math and to do so, I need to read at least 3.1 pages per day. I am excited about this goal. It is important for me to study more. I didn’t just want to make some vague goal like I will study more in 2026. I wanted to make a concrete determination. I wanted to make a smart goal that is specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely!

I am still chanting that I am a Buddha and to love myself unconditionally, and I will continue to do so. Since reading the Gosho with Thomas, I have re-realized the importance of not seeing the Mystic Law of Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo outside myself.

According to Nichiren Daishonin, if you see the law outside yourself, you are not embracing the Mystic Law, but an inferior teaching and no inferior teaching is a direct path to enlightenment. You can practice for countless kalpas, and you will never become enlightened. It’s like a poor man who counts his neighbor’s wealth night and day and gains not even half a coin!

I am looking forward to doing my reading later tonight. I am going to read from the Gosho, “On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land,” and from the SGI publications. We get a newspaper, “The World Tribune,” three times a month and a monthly magazine, “Living Buddhism.”

In the past I had been intermittent with my study of the SGI publications. But this is a new year, and I am determined to change this. I know that whenever I study, I always get encouraged and feel better. In fact, I started reading, “On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land,” because I felt so angry and distraught after the United States invaded Venezuela. So, it makes perfect sense to do it more often. I have also decided that I am going to chant at least an hour each morning and half an hour every evening.

Also, I would like to introduce 12 different people to Nichiren Buddhism in 2026. So, that’s one new person a month and I believe that is totally attainable. I plan to do home visits with two SGI members each month. I especially want to bring joy to people who can’t participate in SGI activities.

The purpose of Nichiren Buddhism is to realize world peace. And while the concept of world peace may seem impossible or overwhelming this is not in fact the case. We can create peace in our own circles, among family, friends, co-workers and community members that we care about. We create peace in our own worlds, and this ripples outward.

In Nichiren Buddhism, there is the concept of dependent origination which basically means that nothing exists independently and we are all interconnected. There is also the concept of karma which is all our thoughts, words and actions. We believe that families are individuals who are connected with similar karma.

I want to change the karma of my entire family. There are certain things which have plagued my family for generations, trauma, mental illness, dementia and addiction. As I stand up for my family, I will be able to transform our collective karma.

It would be easier to do this if I had other family members begin practicing Nichiren Buddhism with the SGI-USA. It is my dream that one day my entire family will chant Nam-Myo-Renge-Kyo. However, me practicing Nichiren Buddhism is enough. According to my mentor Ikeda Sensei when a single sun rises, everything is illuminated.