To truly repent before all sentient beings is a profound act of spiritual courage. It is not enough to simply acknowledge the mistakes you have made in the past. True repentance requires a fundamental shift in your being; you must be willing to change your personality traits. This transformation is of the utmost importance. It is the primary reason why sentient beings are willing to resolve their grievances with you. Without this genuine change, the cycle of conflict remains unbroken.
The Unseen Threads of Past Lives
While you may not remember the events of your past lives, the reality of the universe tells us that we exist across three distinct phases: the past, the present, and the future. Therefore, you must learn to live in the present moment, without being pulled away by the shadows of the past or the anxieties of the future. However, we must understand that the beings we encounter—the spirits and our —exist within different dimensions of space. They manifest in our lives for specific reasons:
To settle debts from the past.
To seek balance for grievances or harms suffered.
To repay kindnesses or seek retribution for past wrongs.
The experiences of birth, aging, sickness, and death, as well as the people and events we encounter, are all deeply connected to our past lives. The challenges we face today—our Greed, Anger, Ignorance, Arrogance, and Doubt, as well as our attachments to wealth, lust, fame, food, and sleep—are all manifestations of the causes we planted in countless aeons past and the karmic results that are now ripening in this life.
The Clarity of Sincere Confession
During the process of inviting spirits to the assembly, these beings provide clear and detailed accounts of their grievances. Initially, many practitioners may feel shocked or overwhelmed by these revelations. However, you must learn to accept these truths. When these beings speak, you must repent for your own actions; do not attempt to deflect or deny their claims. If you remain doubtful, refuse to believe, or push these truths away, these beings will not be willing to resolve their conflicts with you. If you have outstanding karmic debts and your creditors come to collect, but you choose to deny your responsibility, how can you expect them to be willing to find a resolution?
The Sanctuary of Compassionate Resolution
A wise person is one who acts with sincerity. You should honestly admit your faults, repent without complaint, and ask for forgiveness for the sins you committed in your ignorance. By doing so, you can bring peace to the hearts of these beings. At Hsiang Kuang Buddhist Centre, we possess a unique advantage in resolving these conflicts and inviting spirits to the Dharma assembly. I urge you all to truly repent for your past actions and for the harm you have caused to other beings. You must cherish and seize this rare opportunity to dissolve your , remove your obstacles, and practise toward .
We are blessed with the following supports:
The Buddha’s light from , which shines upon us to help calm the minds of all beings.
The of Practitioner Su, which works to resolve conflicts and perform , helping to heal the wounded and traumatised hearts of those who have suffered.
The , which provides the essential Chao Du to deliver sentient beings to the Western Pure Land.
I hope that the fourfold assembly of disciples will cherish these opportunities deeply. Namo Amituofo.
