This paper utilizes Nietzsche & the 17th Century Japanese Zen Master Bankei as antidotes to the nihilism that prompts teenage self-destruction. Both thinkers offer counsel addressing the overwhelming hopelessness & self-lacerating regret youth can feel when confronted with societal demands to capitulate. Distinguishing between consummatory actions & acts of fulfillment, the paper plays with “bridging” the thoughts of both thinkers in relation to problems pursuant to coming of age. (17 refs)