The Path of True Repentance: Never Committing the Same Mistake Again

recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe

On the fourteenth of December, 2025, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju offered these profound teachings to the fourfold assembly.

The Wisdom of True Repentance

Our ancestors left us a compassionate teaching: "To know one's mistakes and be able to change is the greatest goodness." This is a foundational principle for any practitioner. To know one's mistake requires awareness; to be able to change requires wisdom; and to never commit the same mistake again requires the highest level of insight.

The Buddha’s teachings are a path of inner work. We must put in the effort within our own hearts. If you know your mistake and change your behaviour, you have initiated a transformation in your actions. However, the commitment to never commit the same mistake again is the concrete action of true repentance. To achieve this, you must cut off the very root of the cause that triggered the mistake in the first place. Only by eliminating these negative roots within the heart can you truly attain purity.

Purifying the Heart at the Root

When you successfully remove the roots of negativity from your heart, you have achieved thorough repentance. This is the only way to make genuine progress in your practice and to remove defilements and attain purity. As you continue to remove these defilements step by step, the light of your heart will begin to shine. Eventually, when all defilements are eradicated, the light of your heart will be fully revealed, and you will see your true nature.

Overcoming Obstacles in Practice

The challenge of becoming drowsy or experiencing interference from other spaces is a common issue that the fourfold assembly must face together. Changing your personality traits is a vital method for improving and resolving this problem. When you change your personality, you leave no openings for karmic creditors or demon crowds to find fault or create disturbances. They will find no place to exert their influence.

The Power of Two-Fold Strength

Changing your personality requires a combination of two forces:

• Self-effort: This is the application of your own perseverance, boldness, and determination.
• Buddha's blessings: This is achieved by chanting one Buddha's name to the end, allowing the power of the Buddha to support your practice.

Living as a Buddha

We must realise that a Buddha has no fixed personality. A Buddha is able to follow the needs of beings, responding to their hearts with perfect wisdom and understanding. Therefore, you should spontaneously and voluntarily change your personality and resolve to never repeat your mistakes. By doing so, you will not only resolve the issues of drowsiness and interference, but you will also demonstrate clear progress in your practice. May you all chant one Buddha's name to the end and return to your true self.

Namo Amituofo