Kṣitigarbha Ceremony and Water Repentance Bring Dharma Joy to Dharma Drum Vancouver Centre Devotees

Dharma Drum Vancouver Centre (DDVC) held the “Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva Dharma Assembly and Compassionate Samadhi Water Repentance Assembly” from August 22 to 23. A total of 330 people participated over the three-day event. Participants recited the Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva Fundamental Vow Sutra, prostrated in repentance according to the Compassionate Samadhi Water Repentance, and listened to Dharma teachings from the monastics. The merits of the ceremony were dedicated to all sentient beings.

At the Kṣitigarbha Dharma Assembly on August 22, Venerable Chang Wu (常悟法師), Director of DDVC, drew on the “Chapter on the Benefits of Seeing and Hearing” from the Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva Fundamental Vow Sutra to help participants gain a deeper understanding of Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva’s profound vows to liberate beings in the six realms. The sutra teaches that those who sincerely make offerings to Kṣitigarbha and pay homage to him will, at the time of death, be protected from falling into the three lower realms. The merits can also help parents and relatives who have fallen into miserable realms attain liberation.

Venerable Chang Wu explained that the extraordinary significance of this chapter lies in its clear teaching that sincere refuge, offerings, and reverence to Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva can help fulfill the Four Great Vows leading toward Buddhahood. When practitioners encounter obstacles in the cultivation of wisdom or concentration, respectfully making offerings to Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva and reciting his name 10,000 times can help lessen and eliminate these obstacles.

Furthermore, if at the moment of death one is able to clearly hear the name of Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva even once, one may be spared rebirth in the three lower realms. Venerable Chang Wu asked the assembly, “If it only takes one recitation, do you think that is easy?” She then encouraged everyone: “This is what we need to work toward in this lifetime.” She urged participants to practice generosity with an equal and impartial mind, form wholesome connections with others, and benefit those around them. In this way, even those with whom we have unresolved grievances or karmic debts can potentially be transformed into fellow practitioners and Dharma supporters.

On August 23, while leading the assembly in practicing the Compassionate Samadhi Water Repentance, Venerable Chang Wu quoted Master Sheng Yen: “To perform repentance is to place our own mind into the water of the Dharma and wash it.” Through repentance, we cleanse a mind stained by the defilements of wrongdoing. Venerable Chang Wu explained that repentance does not mean asking the Buddha to forgive our offenses. Karmic retribution must still be experienced in order to be exhausted—even the Buddha cannot exempt us from them. However, through practice, we can lessen the suffering caused by those karmic consequences.

Venerable Chang Wu taught that, inwardly, “When the mind becomes knotted, that is karmic obstruction.” Through repentance, we can open and release the knots in our minds, calmly acknowledge our mistakes, willingly accept their karmic consequences, and refrain from creating new harms. In this way, we can break the cycle of retribution. Outwardly, we should dedicate the merits of our practice to those with whom we have karmic debts, thereby resolving resentment and releasing old entanglements.

Finally, Venerable Chang Wu explained that the most profound form of repentance is to be in harmony with emptiness, as expressed in the “formless repentance” taught in the Platform Sutra. This is something we can also practice in daily life: when encountering challenges, we should try not to react solely from our own viewpoints or selfish interests. When we become aware that emotions have arisen, or that our thoughts have become colored by ignorance, arrogance, deception, or jealousy, we should immediately practice repentance and continue practicing in this way. “Repentance is a daily practice, just like washing our face and brushing our teeth every day.”


Hong Kong newcomer Chung Wen-Hui (鍾玟慧) shared that she first came to the Vancouver Centre last year after seeing a Facebook announcement recruiting participants for its “Dharma Field cultivation class”. Her first experience at the centre was attending the Ullambana Dharma Assembly, where she felt that “when everyone chants together, the energy is truly immense.” Su Feng-Ting (蘇楓婷), who works in psychological counseling, visits the Centre every seventh lunar month to participate in repentance ceremonies. The Dharma teaching this time prompted her to reconsider the meaning of repentance and reminded her to practice forgiving others. She realized that clinging to the idea of “an eye for an eye” only traps both sides in endless suffering, while performing repentance is an opportunity to learn to let go of attachment to the self. Senior volunteer Wu Mei-Ling (吳美玲) was also deeply moved. She expressed gratitude that, even at this stage of her life, she still has the opportunity to form virtuous connections with others and support the Dharma. She vowed to continue doing her best to uphold and support the Dharma, lifetime after lifetime.

As the ceremony came to a close, participants reluctantly bid their farewells. Voices of “Thank you for your hard work” and “Thank you” could be heard one after another. This spirit of gratitude and aspiration echoed the encouragement from Venerable Chang Wu: “May your practice and mine make this world a more beautiful and harmonious place.”

Original text in Chinese and photos: Dharma Drum Vancouver Centre
Translation: Patricia Yang 
Editing: Keith Brown