"Money," "Illness," "Future," "Anxiety" – Everything Can Be Solved! A Powerful Message from Buddhism, The Teachings of Kobo Daishi Kukai
We live every day worrying about many things: tomorrow’s schedule, other people’s evaluations, past failures, future uncertainties, and our minds are filled with thoughts like "I should have done this," or "I should have done that." It feels as though we are always walking the path of life with constant tension, but Buddhism asks us: Is it really necessary to worry about all of these things? To those of us who try to take everything on and control our lives according to our plans, Buddhism gives us a gentle but clear message: Do not worry. Life will work out. This is not an irresponsible form of optimism, but rather a state of trust backed by deep wisdom. Though many things may seem like coincidences, they are in fact progressing through invisible connections and encounters. To live in harmony with that flow, without resisting or struggling, and to focus on what we can do right now is the true path to enriching our lives and lightening our hearts. In this video, we will explain the truth that can be seen by not overthinking things from a Buddhist perspective. The meaning of surrendering to the flow of destiny, the freedom of the heart that is lost when we think too deeply, and how things will work out naturally without us doing anything. I want to deliver these words to those of you who are tired of life and are worn out by things not going as expected. Please relax and stay with us until the end. You are sure to find a hint that will lighten your heart.
Surrender to the Flow of Circumstances
Life does not always go as we plan. This is a fact that most people have experienced at least once. No matter how much we plan and work hard, unexpected events can trip us up, or everything can collapse in an instant. However, in Buddhism, this is not seen as misfortune or failure, but as guidance from fate. It is a way of viewing that things happen in a much larger flow beyond our own will and power. In other words, we cannot control everything in life. Therefore, instead of struggling to control everything, we are asked to adopt an attitude of surrender to the flow.
To surrender to the flow of circumstances does not mean doing nothing. It means that, after doing what we can, we let go of the results and leave them to the flow with a gentle heart. While being mindful of the direction of our efforts, we ultimately accept the attitude that things will unfold as they will. This is the way of life taught in Buddhism. When we touch upon this way of thinking, we suddenly feel a sense of relief. The belief that we must control everything fades away. It feels as though fresh clean water is being poured into cloudy water, and our hearts slowly begin to settle.
And what is most important is that the flow of circumstances may not always meet our immediate expectations. However, looking back after some time, we may realize, "I’m glad that didn’t go as planned," or "This encounter led to who I am today." That moment will surely come. In Buddhism, this is called "good." What may seem like misfortune may, in hindsight, have been a connection that guided you to a better place. Therefore, there is no need to overthink things that are beyond your control. In Buddhist thought, surrendering to the flow of life is not an act of resignation but a choice based on deep wisdom. This is because most things, though they may appear to be decided by our will, are in fact influenced by countless factors, relationships, past choices, and invisible connections.
For example, the reason you are here now is not just a coincidence. The meeting of your parents, the environment in which you grew up, the people you’ve encountered, the path you chose, the events that happened—all of these are connected. If any one of these had been different, this moment would not exist. This intricate web of connections is what Buddhism calls "dependent origination." Everything does not exist in isolation but is constantly changing through mutual relationships. In other words, the place where you are standing now, though it may seem like coincidence, is actually a place created by the convergence of countless causes and conditions.
When we stand from this perspective, instead of asking, "Why did this happen to me?" we can ask, "What is entrusted to me in this flow?" Moreover, Buddhism teaches that excessive attachment causes suffering. The thought, "It must be this way," or "It absolutely must happen this way," closes our hearts and prevents us from seeing the soft possibilities before us. By surrendering to the flow, we may, in fact, attract chances and encounters that we could not have anticipated.
The act of accepting does not mean giving up. It means accepting the current situation while maintaining an inner strength that keeps some mental space. By trusting the flow and stepping back, we can see what needs to be done next. At that moment, the power to cut through life’s problems will naturally arise from within. Therefore, do not resist or fear; stand quietly in the flow. This is the Buddhist way of living in harmony with the flow of life. Your life, too, will be arranged naturally at the right time.
In life, the key is how much we can accept the things that do not go as planned. This is one of the most important practices in Buddhism. The key to this is the ability to surrender.
Do Not Take Life Too Seriously
Why do we tend to think too seriously about things? In many cases, it’s because we have a strong belief that we must not make mistakes, or that we must avoid failure. However, this mindset itself makes life unnecessarily heavy. Buddhism advocates for the middle way. It encourages us to avoid being swept away by extreme thoughts and to live with a balanced, flexible attitude. The wisdom of not taking life too seriously is essential for practicing the middle way.
For example, when a problem arises, we often jump to conclusions, thinking, "This is serious," or "The worst possible outcome is inevitable." But most of the time, these are just predictions about the future, which haven’t happened yet. Buddhism warns us about such ungrounded thoughts, calling them "mental fabrications." In other words, we often create painful stories in our minds and get trapped in them. What is needed at such times is the wisdom to think, "It’s okay, I don’t need to think too much about it," and the flexibility to understand that "It’s okay to make mistakes, things will work out."
Taking things seriously is not bad in itself. However, when we take everything too seriously, we lose our mental space and cannot appreciate the small joys before us. What Buddhism values is accepting the present moment with tranquility. To do so, it is necessary to have a sense of lightness rather than seriousness.
It’s natural for things not to go right the first time. In fact, it’s precisely because things don’t go well that we can see things we wouldn’t have noticed otherwise. When we can see life this way, the heavy burdens we carry on our shoulders are lifted, and the landscape of life changes completely.
People who tend to take life too seriously are constantly looking for the right answer. The best choice, the mistake-free path, the judgment that will not be criticized by anyone. In pursuit of this, they overcomplicate each choice and, instead of going forward, they sink into a sea of anxiety. However, from a Buddhist perspective, the "correct answer" is always changing. In this world where everything—situations, people, and even ourselves—constantly changes, the attachment to a single "correct answer" is the very cause of suffering. When we realize this, we are able to approach life with the attitude of, "I will try it, and if it doesn’t work, I can change course."
People who tend to take things too seriously are also prone to taking on too much responsibility for everything—relationships, work, the future—feeling as though they must fix it all themselves. In doing so, they often exceed their limits and suffer. Buddhism advises us to use discernment, the wisdom to distinguish between what we can and cannot do. This is not about giving up, but about the courage to let go of what is outside of our control.
Tomorrow Will Sort Itself Out
We often worry so much about the future that we try to anticipate and prepare for it. Planning, preparing, and being ready for the worst are not bad things. However, when we focus too much on the future, we lose our footing in the present, and our minds become unfocused. Buddhism refers to the future as "unmanifested," meaning that it does not yet exist. It is simply potential, nothing is decided yet.
However, we often add anxiety and fear to this unmanifested future and suffer from it, even though nothing has happened yet. Buddhism teaches us that by living carefully in the present, tomorrow will naturally fall into place. The future is created by the accumulation of today’s choices. How we live in this moment—what kind of heart, attitude, and words we use—will naturally shape the path ahead.
In other words, instead of stopping and worrying about the future, it is more effective to move forward step by step, honestly living each moment. The future we want will be the result of what we do in the present.
Life is not about making special efforts to control the future, but simply about living each day mindfully and attentively. When we do this, we will naturally find that the future falls into place on its own. This way of living has the power to calm our hearts. When we are able to say, "Tomorrow will take care of itself," we are able to focus on living today to the fullest.
