The Emperor Liang Repentance Sutra begins with a dream-inspired encounter with Maitreya Bodhisattva. Moved by the Bodhisattva’s spirit of compassion, the repentance practice was thus named the Repentance Dharma of Kindness and Compassion in the Bodhimanda. Spanning ten scrolls and tracing back over 1,500 years to the Southern Dynasties, this sacred text is revered as the “King of Repentances” for its profound influence and spiritual efficacy. Scrolls 1 to 6 are regarded as the heart of the text.

Key Points from Scroll One
All spiritual practice begins with taking refuge in the Triple Gem (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha), which lights the way out of samsara. This scroll addresses common doubts about karma and the cycle of birth and death, using the principle of cause and effect across the three times (past, present, future) to dispel delusion.

• Refuge: Taking refuge enables one to transcend suffering.
• Clearing Doubts: Understanding karma helps cease harmful actions and cultivate good.
• Repentance: Repenting for the ten evil karmic deeds committed through body, speech, and mind in the past; repenting karmic actions driven by the six sense faculties; and repenting the resentment and hostility arising from deluded mind.

Key Points from Scroll Two
It emphasizes the power of intention. While repentance helps eliminate past karma, it is equally important to actively make vows. A true vow should not stem from selfish motives. Although worldly aspirations may bring temporary joy or satisfaction, they cannot free us from suffering. After repenting unwholesome karma, we are encouraged to make great vows like the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas — aspiring to benefit all beings.

Scroll Two concludes with Twenty Great Vows, guiding practitioners to develop vast and profound aspirations and dedicate the resulting merits to all sentient beings for mutual liberation from suffering.

• Generating Bodhicitta: The resolve to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all beings.
• Vow-Making: Inspired by great bodhisattvas, vows are vast, pure, and all-encompassing.
• Dedication of Merits: Past, present, and future good deeds are dedicated to one’s country and all beings across the six realms, aspiring toward ultimate awakening.

Key Points from Scroll Three
This scroll urges deep contemplation of the suffering within the six realms of existence. It uses vivid descriptions of karmic retribution to prompt us to reflect inwardly on the causes (karma) and generate sincere remorse.

• Shame and Regret: Do not dismiss small misdeeds. One should feel ashamed and sincerely bow in repentance.
• Fear and Dread: Beings, out of ignorance, commit boundless negative karma. Upon hearing of the three lower realms’ sufferings, one should cultivate a heart of respectful fear.
• Compassion: Upon hearing the suffering of sentient beings, one should give rise to compassion and sincerely repent, wishing for their liberation.

Key Points from Scroll Four
This scroll elaborates on the karmic retributions of beings in the lower realms and explains the causes behind their suffering — repenting on behalf of those in the unfortunate paths:
• Hungry Ghost Realm: Due to past miserliness and greed over others’ food, hungry ghost are tormented by constant hunger and thirst, with throats too narrow to swallow.
• Hell Realm: Due to stealing, committing the five heinous crimes, or killing, beings fall into hell and suffer repeated tortures of burning, crushing or immersed in filth.
• Animal Realm: After completing their term in hell, beings are reborn in the animal realm, continuing the cycle of rebirth without end.

Key Points from Scroll Five
This scroll analyzes how conflicts and karmic debts originate from selfishness, attachment, and delusion. Even in daily life, unrecognized disputes and struggles sow future enmity.

Key Points from Scroll Six
This scroll focuses on reconciliation and encourages forgiveness and releasing resentment, so that enemies and loved ones alike may find peace. Transforming hostility into wholesome connections becomes a solid foundation for further cultivation.

The first six scrolls lay the essential groundwork for the practice of repentance. From taking refuge, resolving doubts to making vows and dissolving enmities, these initial scrolls aim to resolve karmic debts and bring peace and relief to the living. Yet, this is only the first half of this compassionate repentance journey—four more scrolls await. Stay tuned for the next phase of our sharing!

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Sadhu, sadhu, sadhu! 🙏🙏🙏