Transforming Mental Tendencies and Habitual Tendencies of the Mental Faculty Through Sincere Repentance

Face-to-face repentance eliminates the karmic seeds within the Tathāgatagarbha of both individuals, but it requires that the person repenting must do so sincerely and the other person must sincerely accept the repentance. Only then can grievances be resolved and karmic knots be undone. Why must repentance be sincere and its acceptance also sincere? Sincerity and genuineness represent the repentance emanating from the heart outward through the manas (mind faculty), and the acceptance emanating from the heart outward through the manas. Only when the manas repents and accepts will the Tathāgatagarbha of both individuals re-record, thereby canceling out the previous karmic seeds within their respective Tathāgatagarbha. Because the karmic seeds within the Tathāgatagarbha are eliminated, there are no longer any grievances between the two individuals.

Bhūmi Bodhisattvas eliminate karmic seeds within their own Tathāgatagarbha by utilizing consciousness (vijñāna) to influence and persuade the manas, enabling the manas to recognize the harmfulness of its own afflictions and habitual tendencies. This leads to a resolute determination to repent, causing a transformation in the mind's nature, and thus the karmic seeds within the Tathāgatagarbha are eliminated. Due to their profound meditative power, wisdom power, and merit power, Bhūmi Bodhisattvas can eliminate the karmic seeds within their own Tathāgatagarbha by changing the mental activities and habits of their manas, thereby purifying their own minds.

Pretentious repentance performed merely by consciousness has little practical effect and is often seen through by others, revealing the underlying intentions.

What should be done when consciousness desires repentance but is overpowered by the afflictions and habits of the manas? Then one should frequently reproach the manas. If one can condemn others, one can condemn oneself; condemning oneself means reproaching one's own mind. One must expose and reveal all one's unwholesome mental activities. Even if the manas is unwilling or displeased, one must sometimes do this. If the manas truly cannot accept it, its habits being too deeply ingrained, then do not force it. Proceed gradually, testing step by step, and avoid rushing the process. Otherwise, it may backfire, leading one to give up entirely, which can also be quite detrimental.