Confession of past sins in a monastic context

[dpcalder]

It is my understanding that past sins are to be confessed among monks. Is this true? Does this entail confession of all past sins that come to mind prior to entering the monastery, to other people?

[Bundokji]

I do not think that the concept of sin has any relevance to Buddhist monasticism. It is right view that is emphasized, in the spirit of:

Rain soddens what's covered
& doesn't sodden what's exposed.
So open up what's covered up,
so that it won't get soddened by the rain.

[JamesTheGiant]

It is my understanding that past sins are to be confessed among monks. Is this true? Does this entail confession of all past sins that come to mind prior to entering the monastery, to other people?

No, I don't think you need to confess past sins or bad deeds, unless they're like murder or killing your parents.
Once you become a monk, from that time forward you have to confess wherever you do something against the rules.
But the past is the past, I don't remember anything in vinaya about confessing stuff from before you are a monk.
So relax, your secrets can stay secrets.

[dpcalder]

I do not think that the concept of sin has any relevance to Buddhist monasticism. It is right view that is emphasized, in the spirit of:

Rain soddens what's covered
& doesn't sodden what's exposed.
So open up what's covered up,
so that it won't get soddened by the rain.

True, I shouldn’t have used a word foreign to the context