金光明懺法補助儀 1.63

1.63

Eighth: The method of practicing the five repentances. (The practitioner should imagine their own body facing the Dharma throne of the Three Jewels, and with single-minded devotion, practice repentance on behalf of all sentient beings. Recalling one's past transgressions and what has been committed in this lifetime, if one does not repent, one will fall into Avīci to suffer extreme agony. If one has such offenses, one cannot conceal them even for a kṣaṇa, let alone for a long time. The Chapter on Eradicating Obstacles states: “There are four kinds of karma that are difficult to eradicate: first, committing an extremely grave offense against the bodhisattva precepts; second, giving rise to slander in one's mind against the Mahāyāna sūtras; third, being unable to increase one's own roots of goodness; fourth, clinging covetously to the three realms of existence without the mind of renunciation. There are four antidotes that can eradicate these four offenses: first, intimately approaching the Buddhas of the ten directions with an earnest mind and confessing all offenses; second, for the sake of all sentient beings, entreating all Buddhas to investigate the profound and wonderful Dharma; third, rejoicing in whatever merits all sentient beings possess; fourth, dedicating all roots of goodness to unsurpassed bodhi.” The text has only four repentances, which is theoretically sufficient. If one expands them into five repentances, one simply derives "making vows" from "dedication of merit." Although one has dedicated merit above, one must still add vows and aspiration as an essential regulation to counteract the obstacle of having an indecisive mind prone to regression. Having understood this, give rise to great shame and remorse that these offenses truly exist, and wholeheartedly seek their eradication; even if subjected to harsh penalties, do not spare body or life. The states of mind such as shame and remorse are detailed in the commentary on the Chapter on Repentance. The introductory verses before "Universally for..." come from the Supplementary Ritual; one should be thoroughly versed in reciting them so that the mind does not stall and the visualization can be completed. Having recited silently, chant:)”