The「Great Compassion Dharani Repentance」 is short for the《Thousand arms and thousand eyes Compassion Dharani Repentance》(or《Sahasrabhuja-sahasranetra Compassion Dharani Repentance》). Its principal contents are the recitation of the 「Great Compassion Mantra」. This mantra contains eighty four phrases. It is one of the most often recited mantras by Buddhists. The principal contents of the ceremonial procedure include reciting the「Great Compassion Mantra」fourteen times. Through reciting the mantra mindfully, sincerely praying for empowerment and at the same time experiencing the power of all Buddha’s and Bodhisattva’s genuine vows, and further through reflecting inwardly on one’s body and mind, relinquishing attachment and eradicating sinful hindrances, humanity would arise and Bodhi’s vow would be attained. By participating in the「Great Compassion Dharani Repentance Ceremony」, our bodies and minds are purified, our sinful hindrances will be eradicated and every path will become a smooth one through praying to Bodhisattva Guanyin (Avalokitesvara) and all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas for empowerment.

The「Great Compassion Dharani Repentance」was the repentance ceremonial procedural method which placed emphasis in both aspects of phenomena and noumenon designed by Siming Zhili (960 – 1028) dharma teacher while publishing the 『Principles of Practicing Repentance』 in Song dynasty during the era of Emperor Song Zhen Zhoung. The 『Show Zhan Yaou Zher』 (『修懺要旨』; the principles of practicing repentance) combined the 「Great Compassion Mantra」, extracted from part of the original esoteric school’s 《Thousand arms and thousand eyes no obstruction Great Compassionate Mind Mantra Sutra》, as well as, followed and referenced the 「Fei Shin Fei Zhuo San Mei」 (「非行非坐三昧」; not walking not sitting samadhi) in the『Mohe zhi guan』(『摩訶止觀』; the grand samatha vipasyana). Having prostrated for one to two hours in the Great Compassion Mantra Ceremony is the same as having completed the practice of all dharma approaches pertaining to the Great Compassion Bodhisattva Guanyin.」

「Repentance is like a mirror of mind.」Prostration repentance can nourish one’s abilities to contemplate and to reflect inwardly, and can further inspire the momentum of diligent practice on the path of the attainment of Buddhahood. From the adornment of the altar to the commencing of the embellished purifying ceremony for the purpose of purifying participants’ karma of body, speech and mind, as well as through making offerings according to the Dharma, the sincere prostration and respect, the generation of vows and recitations of Buddha’s name, sincere repentance, inclination to homage (take refuge), the Ceremony is designed, through the conduct of repentance, in accordance with the ceremonial procedures to eradicate one’s sinful hindrances and purify one’s body and mind.

By means of repentance prostration, one would eradicate one’s misfortune and purify one’s karma. And, one would further through self liberation arise in utmost Bodhi mind that is comparable to Bodhisattva Guanyin’s compassion and would benefit and help others with skillful means.