Confession of past sins in a monastic context
Confession of past sins in a monastic context
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?
Re: Confession of past sins in a monastic context
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.
And the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus, saying: "Behold now, bhikkhus, I exhort you: All compounded things are subject to vanish. Strive with earnestness!"
This was the last word of the Tathagata.
This was the last word of the Tathagata.
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Re: Confession of past sins in a monastic context
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.
Re: Confession of past sins in a monastic context
True, I shouldn’t have used a word foreign to the contextBundokji wrote: ↑Sat Dec 04, 2021 8:23 pm 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.