Purifying Destiny” — Where Inamori’s Philosophy Meets Sanmei-gaku Philosophy : “Life turns out exactly as you envision it.

This time, Inamori* spoke about the above motto in Kyocera philosophy.

What Inamori said is quoted with “”.

“ Your life will turn out just as you envision it in your mind. What you picture in your heart will manifest as reality.”These words, spoken by Kazuo Inamori in his *Kyocera Philosophy*, reflect a principle echoed not only in Buddhism but in many spiritual traditions around the world. Yet, intellectually inclined individuals often find it difficult to believe.

Among the three elements Inamori considered essential—**mindset**, **enthusiasm**, and **ability**—he emphasized that the most important is **mindset**. “What you picture in your heart, what you hold in your thoughts—your values, philosophy, and worldview—these will all be reflected in the life you live. That is why I say, ‘Life turns out exactly as you envision it.’ ”

Have you ever thought to yourself, “Nothing seems to be going right lately,” or “Problems just seem to repeat themselves in my family? “ In this issue, I’d like to explore the question: How can we break free from negative karmic patterns?

We’ll reflect on Inamori’s words, alongside insights from *Sanmei-gaku* (Eastern destiny analysis). This concept—“life becomes what the mind envisions”—is deeply aligned with the advisory service we are currently developing, which integrates Sanmei-gaku into business and leadership support. In particular, I’d like to share three key maxims Sanmei-gaku teaches us, each closely connected to this idea of the mind shaping reality.

Three Key Maxims Taught by Sanmei-gaku

Let me explain them one by one.

1. Cause and Effect

 (The karma of our ancestors is carried forward)

“ There is an old Chinese saying: In a household that accumulates good deeds, blessings will surely remain. This means that a family that quietly continues to do good—without seeking recognition—will eventually attract good fortune. However, having a noble philosophy or high-minded ideals alone does not make one virtuous. True virtue lies in a lifelong commitment to serving others and contributing to society. “

>> This teaching suggests that virtue, when practiced sincerely, is passed down through generations. By contrast, when negative thoughts or harmful actions—what we may call “bad karma”—accumulate, their effects can also appear in future generations. We sometimes see this reflected in families that have acquired great wealth or social standing, yet still face recurring troubles across generations. This may be because unresolved karmic burdens are being carried forward within the family line.

Let me share a personal story.

My paternal grandmother left home when my father and his siblings were still very young, choosing to live with another man. That kind of unresolved karma—abandonment, emotional wounds—tends to ripple through generations. In my father’s fate, there were signs of hardship related to his spouse and children.

I have four siblings, and all of us share similar patterns: difficulties in marriage or with children.

To break this pattern, someone in the family must make a conscious effort to transform the flow—to purify the karmic current and change the family’s destiny.

My father could have chosen to leave, to divorce, or to distance himself from the family. But he didn’t. He stayed with his wife, which means our mother, remained committed to our household, and kept the family together throughout his life.

In doing so, he took on and ‘digested’ the karma—he cleansed the family line through his actions. Reflecting on this, I believe it is deeply meaningful for every family to understand its inherited patterns, and to find ways to heal or break them. Sanmei-gaku gives us valuable tools to recognize these karmic threads and identify the direction needed for resolution.

2. Everything aligns in the end

 (There is a deeper consistency in destiny)

“ I once came across a book that featured the spirit of a Native American entity called Silver Birch. In it, I found this striking message:

“You may not believe that what you hold in your heart will manifest exactly in your life. But even if things don’t seem to add up in this world, if you expand your view to include the spirit world where I now dwell, you will see—without a single discrepancy—that each person’s reality reflects exactly what they carry within.’ Indeed, in our present lives, we often witness what appears to be injustice: Corrupt individuals thriving with impunity, while kind-hearted people struggle and suffer. But when we zoom out and take a longer view—beyond this lifetime—those hardships often turn out to be spiritual trials, gifted by the divine for the sake of one’s eventual transformation. “

>> Those who rise to meet these trials with courage often go on to live truly meaningful lives. It’s also important to remember that having a “good fate” or auspicious destiny does not guarantee happiness or fulfillment. Some individuals born under favorable signs, blessed with good fortune in relationships or family early in life, may grow complacent and end up losing their way. These gifts from heaven—good karma, talents, and luck—are not rewards.

They are assignments, given with the hope that you will use them for the benefit of others and the world around you. Therefore, you must work even harder to make the most of what you’ve been given, always asking: “How can I use this for the good of others?” If you ignore this responsibility and simply enjoy the benefits without effort, life has a way of reminding you. Misfortunes may begin to arise—illness, accidents, or personal crises that force you to reflect and change your perspective.

Through my work and personal experiences, including reading the fate charts of people I know—and even public figures—I’ve come to believe this deeply:

In the grand scheme of things, everything truly does align.

3. Do not harbor dark thoughts

 (Your thoughts create your karmic footprint)

“ In Buddhism, the principle of cause and effect is often explained through many examples. Among them, I frequently emphasize this core teaching: ‘Our thoughts create karma. ’Karma is the *cause* behind the effects we experience.

Our thoughts are the seeds—the inner causes—that inevitably bring about corresponding results. This is why the content of our thinking matters so deeply.

We must not allow harmful or negative ideas to take root in our minds. This, the Buddha taught. The Japanese philosopher and martial arts teacher Temp? Nakamura also warned us, ‘Never, under any circumstance, allow dark thoughts to dwell within you.’ I strongly agree. ”

>> In truth, our inner world becomes our outer reality. For leaders especially, it is vital to keep their hearts bright and filled with vision.But the question arises: ‘What if someone on your team—perhaps a colleague or subordinate—tends to dwell in negativity? How do we support them?’ There’s a wonderful story about Kunio Yonenaga, a legendary shogi (Japanese chess) master. One of his apprentices struggled emotionally, burdened by dark thoughts after failing to become a professional. To lift his spirits, Yonenaga arranged for him to play shogi with a beloved comedian, Kinichi Hagimoto. Through those encounters, the apprentice not only rediscovered the joy of the game, but also learned humor and lightness. Soon, even his chess pieces “seemed to smile.”

If I may share something personal—my husband is someone who radiates brightness. His cheerful presence and warm smile bring light into our home every day. Having a partner like that, who keeps the family atmosphere sunny and warm, is truly a blessing.

Closing Reflections

* Mr. Kazuo Inamori, the founder of Kyocera, KDDI (one of the top tele communication companies in Japan) and the top of revitalization project of JAL. As a well-known Japanese entrepreneur, he has been sharing his experiences and management know-how with managements of small to middle companies in Japan.

Further queries or doubts, please email to ytomizuka@abrilsjp.com

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