Traveling through time and space.

Chapter 55: Ups and downs and breakthroughs in spiritual practice (9) "Karma is as heavy as a mountain, repentance can eliminate sins"

On Lingxu Mountain, a land steeped in countless stories, Ah Ming, through repeated battles with his inner demons, temporarily stabilized his spiritual practice with his concentration. However, he knew that past karma, like a towering, endless mountain, weighed heavily on his path, becoming an insurmountable obstacle on his path.

These karmic obstacles, like ghosts lurking in the shadows, often unwittingly extended their invisible tentacles, tugging at Amin's soul, repeatedly frustrating him at crucial moments in his practice. Whenever he attempted to deepen his meditation and seek the higher levels of Buddhist wisdom, the karmic force of past negative karma surged like a surging undercurrent, relentlessly impacting his inner world and instantly shattering his newly gathered focus. Even in his daily practice, he was often entangled in inexplicable worries and confusion. Past mistakes, fueled by negative emotions like anger, jealousy, and greed, bound him like a fine web, making it difficult to break free.

Ah Ming deeply realized that if he couldn't effectively eliminate these karmic obstacles, his spiritual path would remain forever shrouded in darkness, unable to see true light. So, with a heart of deep devotion, he slowly walked toward the temple's main hall. Before the majestic and sacred Buddha statue, he slowly knelt, his body erect, his gaze firm and filled with awe. He gently touched his forehead to the cold ground, clasped his hands together, and began a journey of deep and sincere repentance.

Ah Ming closed his eyes, his thoughts flooding back to the past. He vividly recalled a time when, in a fit of anger, he had verbally abused a fellow practitioner. It was during a heated discussion about Buddhist teachings, a disagreement that had ignited the flames of anger within Ah Ming. With complete disregard for his fellow practitioner's feelings, he hurled harsh words at her, his sharp, cutting words piercing her heart like darts, deeply wounding her. Recalling the hurt and disappointment in her eyes, Ah Ming felt as if he were being stabbed by thousands of needles, a torment of agony. His eyes gradually welled up, tears trickling down his cheeks, dripping softly onto the hall floor.

"Buddha and Bodhisattva, I am fully aware of my grave sins. The mistakes I made in the past due to anger were like a sharp blade, which not only hurt others, but also left indelible scars in my heart. I sincerely repent here and am willing to make a vow to reform myself. I pray for your compassion and blessing so that I can eliminate these sins and return to the right path of cultivation." Amin's voice trembled slightly, carrying endless regret and self-blame, echoing in the silent hall.

To completely eliminate his sins, Amin meticulously crafted a detailed plan of repentance. Every morning, before the first rays of sunlight had fully penetrated the morning mist, illuminating every corner of Lingxu Mountain, Amin rose early, washed his hands and face, and sat upright in the Buddhist shrine, reciting the repentance scripture. His voice was deep and melodious, each word imbued with deep remorse for past mistakes and a resolute resolve for future spiritual practice. He immersed himself in the recitation, deeply absorbing the compassion and wisdom imbued within, letting the sacred words, like a clear spring, cleanse the defilements deep within his heart.

In addition to reciting scriptures, Ah Ming actively engaged in acts of kindness. He took on the most arduous chores at the temple, whether sweeping the courtyard, fetching water and chopping firewood, or answering questions and providing assistance to pilgrims who came to him for help. He did so wholeheartedly and without complaint. He dedicated all the merit he accumulated from these acts of kindness to the sentient beings he had harmed, hoping to atone for his past mistakes and alleviate their suffering.

Ah Ming understood that confession wasn't just a personal practice; it was also a collective spiritual cleansing. So, he organized a collective confession ceremony with his fellow practitioners. In the quiet, open space of the temple's backyard, the practitioners formed a neat square formation, each with a solemn and dignified expression. Ah Ming stood at the front of the formation, holding a wooden fish, gently tapping it, producing a clear, rhythmic sound.

"Fellow practitioners, we are all on the path of cultivation. However, the karma from the past follows us like a shadow, constantly affecting our progress. Today, let us reflect on our own karma together, repent to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas with a sincere heart, and pray for their forgiveness and blessings." Amin's voice spread throughout the backyard and echoed in the ears of every fellow practitioner.

During the ceremony, fellow practitioners closed their eyes, bowed their heads, and silently reflected on their past. Some recalled past mistakes, where jealousy had led them to slander others behind their backs, and were overwhelmed with regret. Others recalled how, faced with the temptation of profit, they failed to uphold their original intentions and gave in to greed, feeling grief-stricken. Deep in their hearts, each practitioner silently expressed their regret to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, vowing to mend their ways and diligently cultivate in the future.

During the collective confession, practitioners encouraged and mentored one another. An older practitioner, seeing a younger practitioner beside him feeling down due to excessive self-blame, gently patted him on the shoulder and comforted him, saying, "Brother, don't be too sad. Past mistakes are in the past. As long as we sincerely repent and diligently cultivate, the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas will surely bless us with compassion. We must believe that on the path of cultivation, every stumble is an opportunity for growth." The young practitioner looked up, met the older practitioner's encouraging gaze, nodded slightly, and the haze in his heart gradually dissipated.

As the confession ceremony continued, a strong atmosphere of repentance permeated the temple. This atmosphere, like a gentle spring breeze, nourished the hearts of every practitioner, allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of their inner world during their practice and further strengthening their resolve to reform.

It's heartening to see that through persistent repentance, many practitioners have noticeably felt their inner burdens gradually lighten. The worries and confusion that once haunted their hearts like ghosts have gradually dissipated, like morning mist dissolving under the sunlight. They have also begun to see new progress in their practice, with deeper concentration and a more profound understanding of Buddhist teachings. In their daily lives, their relationships with one another have become more harmonious and filled with love and respect.

Seeing these changes in his fellow practitioners, Amin was filled with joy and comfort. He understood that repentance is a crucial step on the spiritual path. It not only helps practitioners eliminate karmic obstacles and lighten their inner burdens, but also, through reflection on their mistakes, allows them to gain a deeper understanding of the true meaning of Buddhism, thereby elevating their spiritual attainments. In this process, Amin also gained a deeper understanding of the profound implications of karma and repentance in the Yogacarabhumi Sutra. He understood that only through constant repentance and spiritual purification can practitioners steadily advance on the path of the Seventeenth Stage, gradually achieving the transformation from afflictions to bodhi, and ultimately reaching the shore of liberation.

Ah Ming himself has also achieved remarkable results in this arduous struggle against karma. His heart has become purer and more resolute, and his spiritual path, once plagued by karma, has regained vitality and vigor. He knows that this is just another important turning point in his spiritual journey, and that more challenges and tests await him. But he remains undaunted, convinced that as long as he maintains a sincere heart, constantly repents of his mistakes, and accumulates merit, he will be able, guided by the Dharma, to pierce through the fog and reach the supreme state of enlightenment.