---
title: Daisaku Ikeda on Optimism
description: "Daisaku Ikeda on Optimism: True optimism is based on unwavering conviction in our innate human potential"
image: https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Daisaku%20Ikeda%20.jpeg
---

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# Daisaku Ikeda on Optimism

<https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/daisaku-ikeda-on-optimism>

Daisaku Ikeda, Buddhist philosopher, and President of the Soka Gakkai International (SGI) lay Buddhist movement on optimism and life:

“True optimism is based on unwavering conviction in our innate human potential.” 

"Real optimism should not be confused with a carefree outlook on life, one in which we forfeit responsibility for our lives. The person undefeated by misfortune, poverty, insult and vilification; the person who can bounce back from every adversity and say, 'What? That was nothing!'  The person who marches on toward hope through sheer force of will; that person is a true optimist." 

**"When young people's will to transform reality merges with an indomitable optimism, the possibilities are limitless."  (**[In the 2020 annual peace proposal by Daisaku Ikeda)](https://thecentreforoptimism.wildapricot.org/Daisaku-Ikeda)

“I do not believe that people are powerless. The philosophical tradition that I embrace teaches on the most fundamental dimension - that of life itself - that each human life partakes of the limitless life force of the cosmos. The same power that moves the universe exists within our lives. Each individual has immense potential, and a great change in the inner dimension of one individual's life has the power to touch others' lives and transform society. Everything begins with us.” (From the book "Hope is a Decision”)

  

 

 

[Written by Victor Perton](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/author/victor-perton)

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