question regarding the Great Compassion Dharani

General forum on the teachings of all schools of Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism. Topics specific to one school are best posted in the appropriate sub-forum.
Post Reply
floatingbubbles07
Posts: 60
Joined: Thu Sep 01, 2016 5:15 pm

question regarding the Great Compassion Dharani

Post by floatingbubbles07 »

In the Maha Karuna Dharani Sutra which contains the Great Compassion Mantra (Nilakantha Dharani), it is mentioned that:
All evil karma and weighty sins such as the ten evil deeds, the five rebellious sins, slandering people, slandering the Dharmas, breaking the Abstinent-precepts (*), breaking other precepts, destroying stupas (holy towers), wrecking temples, stealing properties of Sanghas, and profaning Brahma (pure) practices, can be completely eliminated (by reciting this Dharani)
.

But then it goes on to say:
Although the weighty sins do not disappear immediately, the reciting can still be the cause of Bodhi in the future.”
I was wondering, if it says all evil karma can be completely eliminated, wouldn't that mean that any consequences of said karma would not ripen? How do the weighty sins not disappear right away if this is the case, and what does it mean when it says that the reciting can still be the cause of Bodhi in the future? I feel like this part of the Sutra sounds kind of contradictory so can someone explain what it's supposed to mean?
Soma999
Posts: 702
Joined: Fri Apr 15, 2016 3:52 pm

Re: question regarding the Great Compassion Dharani

Post by Soma999 »

It takes time to remove all faults. We need faith, confidence, « as your faith, so will be the fruits ». And even thought the sutra is purifying, we need also to be ready to let go of negativity, to separate us from them. Sometime we ask on one hand to be purified, and on the other hand we cling to our negative behavior. That being said, if you recite regularly, you will feed the process of purification and connect to divine energies. So, by all means, do the recitation and see for yourself how with time your life chsnge.
Post Reply

Return to “Mahāyāna Buddhism”