The Psychology of Repentance: Why Those Who Feel Remorse Are the Most Ethical

Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night, tormented by something you said or did in the past? That feeling is repentance. Many people believe that repentance is a negative emotion that drags the soul into an abyss. However, according to Venerable Thich Chan Quang, repentance is actually a form of sorrowful suffering that is not negative at all, because it acts as a motivation to help us rise above our mistakes.

Repentance is a sorrowful emotion that arises when we recognize our faults or errors. Yet, this very sadness urges us to move forward, preventing us from sinking into pessimism or losing our will to live. Venerable Chan Quang explains that while other trivial sorrows drain our life force, repentance is different. It is a type of emotion characterized by sorrow but devoid of negativity. The more ethical a person is, the deeper their sense of repentance becomes. Therefore, knowing how to feel remorse is a sign of a sensitive conscience and a moral heart.

According to the teacher, the mind of repentance brings three great functions. First, our hearts no longer wish to commit errors, and malicious intentions are gradually eradicated. Second, the heavy karmic consequences of our actions are lessened. This is similar to how sincere remorse can lead authorities to show leniency during an investigation. Third, repentance becomes a powerful motivation that drives us to perform many good deeds to make amends for past mistakes.

For this reason, both in law and in daily life, the sincere attitude of repentance from those who have erred is always highly valued. Venerable Chan Quang asserts that these three effects are clear: the desire to stop sinning, the reduction of accumulated karma, and the drive to create merit through future good actions.

The level of one’s repentance can even reveal the realm of rebirth for sentient beings. A person who feels no remorse whatsoever, who commits errors with indifference or defiance, carries the karma of animals. Those who feel some regret but lack depth remain ordinary humans. However, those who feel remorse over the most subtle mistakes, such as failing to give alms to a beggar when they had the chance, possess the nature of heavenly beings. If someone lacks any sense of shame or regret, they are destined for lower realms after death due to the absence of this crucial quality in their mind. Conversely, those whose repentance is refined enough to see errors in every breath and gesture will gradually become perfect and may attain enlightenment.

Venerable Chan Quang shares a personal memory to illustrate this purification of the soul. When he was young, he read the works of an Indian philosopher named Chris Nabukti. Finding the writing style difficult to understand, his mind rejected the author. Later, upon understanding the Buddha's teachings (Dharma), he realized that Nabukti was an enlightened being. A surge of repentance arose within him for having misunderstood a saint. He carried this remorse for many years until one afternoon, resting on a hammock, he dreamed of the philosopher appearing and smiling. From that dream, the weight of repentance vanished, like a forgiveness granted. He shared that all his long-held regrets dissolved completely, meaning the fault was cleared and he had been forgiven.

This story shows that repentance is a form of self-punishment, but thanks to it, we do not need to receive external karmic retribution. The power of repentance cleanses sins. A person who practices repentance for small matters will gradually discover their own faults in every situation. The world is full of traps of error, but with wisdom, we can recognize them and stay away. When there are no more errors, the soul becomes pure, and we enter the flow of goodness. The teacher advises that without high wisdom, we fail to see these tiny mistakes, but those with profound insight perceive them clearly.

Let the mind of repentance be a lamp illuminating your soul. Each time you look back at the past, if you see a mistake, do not sink into sorrow. Instead, use it as motivation to live better. This is the path of transforming karma, leading us toward wisdom and compassion.