The Great Compassion Repentance Service
大 悲 懴 法
Date: April 16, 30, 2018
Contents of the Program
1. 10:00 am to 10:15 am Introduction of The Great Compassion Repentance Service
2. 10:15 am to 11:30 am The Great Compassion Repentance Service
3. 11:45 am to 12:30 pm The Grand Meal Offering to the Buddhas Service
4. !2:30 pm to 1:30 pm Lunch
When we cause harm, knowingly or unknowingly, as we all do, and when we realize it, it is healthy to feel regret and to express that by apologizing. So, formal repentance is feeling regret for our unwholesome actions of body, speech and mind, and vowing, or sincerely intending, not to repeat them. We also repent for all the wrong doings that did in all our past lives.
The Great Compassion Repentance Service is based on the Great Compassion Mantra. The full name of the Great Compassion Mantra literally means, “Thousand-arms and thousand-eyes Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva’s all embracing great compassion Dharani.” Based on one's sincere wish to change one's mind and change one's action from unwholesome to wholesome, and based on Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva's great vow to support all sentient beings, one will be cleansed from all the negative karmic forces, and gain a lot of merits.
Some of the merits often associated with the Great Compassion Mantra are: rebirth into higher realms, meeting beneficial acquaintances, having competent facilities, bountiful food and wealth, gaining great respect, and the opportunity to learn Buddhist teachings. Moreover, those who recite this mantra will not suffer death by starvation, disease, poison, flood, or fire. Water blessed with the Great Compassion Mantra is called the Great Compassion Water, and is taken by devotees for its spiritually cleansing qualities. Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva not only improves conditions of this life, but also for rebirth into the Western Pure land.
Other than gaining the above benefits, by participating in the ceremony, devotees also benefit from the strength of the compassionate vows of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva to find peace within themselves. They learn to treat others with respect and humility, bringing harmony to their families and society.