All beings are mired in saṃsāra, the endless cycle of birth and death—Master Hsin Tao
Repentance rituals are a way of cultivating boundless virtue. They bring innumerable tangible and intangible benefits, such as helping us to eliminate obstructive karma, increase our merit and wisdom, and break through the impediments caused by ignorance. Ling Jiou Mountain organizes rituals and repentance ceremonies which show participants how to purify themselves in body and mind. Other related activities include scripture recitation, Dharma talks, paying homage to the Buddha, and offering alms to the Saṅgha.
Repentance is like water
The Water-Earth Repentance Ceremony
Mental knots are also an opportunity for awakening. —Master Hsin Tao
 The water-earth repentance ceremony has been practiced for more than 1,000 years in China, and is held to be the most important repentance ritual of Mahayāna Buddhism. In the seventh lunar month (a.k.a. Ghost Month), Ling Jiou Mountain holds a repentance ceremony in which Buddhists gather together to express their piety and respect for their ancestors, repent for misdeeds and shortcomings, and humbly asking forgiveness in order to remove spiritual obstructions. The resulting purified state of mind helps participants to let go of feelings of negativity, animosity, and guilt, resulting in the wholesome fruits of merit and wisdom.
Ling Jiou Mountain began construction of the Shuilu Monastery in August, 1994 in order to prepare for the establishment of the Museum of World Religions and also to bring the Dharma to more people. The seven-day repentance ceremony teaches people how to sincerely repent, face reality, cultivate a positive outlook on life, and strive for spiritual awakening.
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