Repenting for the Karma of Past Lives
Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju
Delivered during the Third Session of the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, 10 June 2022
The Endless Ocean of
If our karma were not heavy, we would not have fallen into this Saha world. Within the cycle of rebirth, we drift and sink in an endless ocean of karma. Since the beginningless past, our spirits have wandered through every one of the six realms of existence. We have been lost in the currents of life and death, unable to find our way home.
The Weight of Our Past Actions
Throughout these countless lifetimes, we have engaged in many unwholesome actions that have created heavy burdens. We have been entangled in the following negative behaviours:
- Killing: Taking the lives of other sentient beings.
- Stealing: Taking what was not given.
- Sexual misconduct: Engaging in improper relationships.
- Lying: Speaking untruths that deceive others.
- Intoxication: Consuming substances that cloud the mind.
Furthermore, we have been constantly driven by the : wealth, sex, fame, food, and sleep. We have rolled through the seven emotions and five desires without a moment of rest. The karma we have created is boundless and difficult to measure. When our sins are so deep and heavy, how can we possibly resolve them? Even if we pass through hundreds of thousands of eons, if our sins are not cleared, the laws of karma and cause and effect will remain, waiting for the conditions to manifest.
The Path of True Repentance
Repenting and changing your ways is the only path to liberation. If you suffer from illnesses of or knots in your heart, repentance and changing your ways must be your first priority. You must look deeply into your past actions and sincerely regret the harm you have caused. This is the foundation of all spiritual practice.
Healing Through Deliverance
To truly heal, you must invite spirits for . This is essential to resolve the grievances of from past lives. Only by resolving these conflicts can you begin to heal illnesses, alleviate suffering, and untie the knots that bind you to the cycle of rebirth. It is through the power of the that we find the strength to change.
You must listen to sutras and hear the Dharma to understand the ultimate truth. By combining the resolution of conflicts, the invitation of spirits for Chao Du, and the sincere practice of repentance, you can finally enter the of Ultimate Bliss. This is the ultimate destination for every practitioner. May you hold fast to this path and never waver.
Namo Amituofo
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