“I vow to repent all karmic obstructions.” Samantabhadra“

Awakening is right in this moment.” Guo Gu

The Buddha taught that the foundation of everything is liberation - we are already free. What obstructs us from experiencing this is that when the six sense faculties come into contact with six sense objects, our habitual tendencies – our karmic obstructions - cause us to reify and solidify our sense of self.

In order to properly receive the ultimate teaching of liberation and emptiness we have to clear the mind of its self-referentiality. This is achieved through the practice of repentance. Repentance serves as the vehicle that bridges the gap between conventional reality and the ultimate truth of liberation, allowing us to simultaneously recognize emptiness while repenting our transgressions.

Tonight we are fortunate to have Guo Gu break down one of the most important texts in the whole East Asian tradition: The Repentance Ritual Pursuing the Lotus Samadhi, as laid out by Zhiyi, the founder of the Tiantai school of Buddhism.

The Ten Great Vows of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, outlined in the Avatamsaka Sutra, are profound principles for those on the path to Buddhahood. These vows represent a complete path of dedication, compassion, and commitment to benefiting all beings. They provide a framework for practice that not only transforms the self but also brings wisdom and compassion into the world.

The Ten Great Vows of Samantabhadra.

1. To pay homage to all the buddhas

2. To glorify the qualities of all the tathagatas

3. To make ample offerings to all the buddhas

4. To repent all karmic obstructions.

5. To rejoice in the merits of others

6. To always to request the preaching of the dharma

7. To entreat enlightened beings to remain in the world

8. To always to study the teachings of the buddha

9. To always to respond to sentient beings according to their various needs

10. To dedicate all merits to sentient beings that they may achieve Buddhahood.

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Join the Tallahassee Chan Center online for live meditations and discussion Monday through Thursday, at 7:30 PM EST. Learn more at https://tallahasseechan.org/events/.