Recitation of Li Fo Ta Chan Hui Wen, or the Eighty-eight Buddhas Great Repentance in English, is one of the greatest repentance sutras. By reciting it, you are sincerely seeking the help of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, including Guan Yin Bodhisattva to repent and cease karmic obstacles due to negative karmas from the past and present lives. Some of its great powers include: repenting negative karmas created during past and present lives; seeking forgiveness from someone you have hurt in past relationships; resolving long-term conflicts; and repenting inappropriate actions such as being disrespectful to Buddhas or Bodhisattvas, or damaging statues or images of Buddhas or Bodhisattvas.
The full title of each sutra and mantra should be included each time before it is recited. For example, before reciting the content of the Eighty-eight Buddhas Great Repentance, you should recite its full title: Li Fo Ta Chan Hui Wen.
For Daily Recitation:
Generally once and up to 7 times per day. It is suitable for reciting everyday until the end of life, and can be recited day or night. If it is cloudy or rainy, it is best if you can recite it during day time. You should avoid reciting the Eighty-eight Buddhas Great Repentance after 10PM, or during extreme weather, including heavy rain, thunderstorm, and lightning.
Prayer Statement:
Before reciting this sutra, you can say your prayer or wish as follows, “May the Great Merciful and Great Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva protect and bless me, <your full name>, help me to repent and eliminate karmic obstacles due to negative karmas in <the body or parts of the body>, grant me good health and great wisdom.”
Note: After reciting the Eighty-eight Buddhas Great Repentance, if you feel soreness or discomfort in any part of your body, it means that the negative karmas have been activated and transformed into foreign spirits. This is a good signal. You can deal with it now, which is better than waiting for it to emerge as a serious illness later in life. You should recite 4 or 7 Little Houses and address them to the “Karmic Creditor of <your full name>”. If the pain is severe, recite more Little Houses until you feel better.
