What is the process for cleansing a very negative action?












3















Several years ago I did something that was totally legal, but very much against my upbringing, my world-view, and my ethics. It was a spur of the moment thing and I have regretted it massively ever since. However, it has haunted me mentally (and to an extent physically, due to tension) ever since.



I might add, this event didn't hurt anyone else.



What can I do from a Buddhist perspective, to completely cancel out this action and its resultant negative thought-stream once and for all?










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    3















    Several years ago I did something that was totally legal, but very much against my upbringing, my world-view, and my ethics. It was a spur of the moment thing and I have regretted it massively ever since. However, it has haunted me mentally (and to an extent physically, due to tension) ever since.



    I might add, this event didn't hurt anyone else.



    What can I do from a Buddhist perspective, to completely cancel out this action and its resultant negative thought-stream once and for all?










    share|improve this question









    New contributor




    Eugene is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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      3












      3








      3


      1






      Several years ago I did something that was totally legal, but very much against my upbringing, my world-view, and my ethics. It was a spur of the moment thing and I have regretted it massively ever since. However, it has haunted me mentally (and to an extent physically, due to tension) ever since.



      I might add, this event didn't hurt anyone else.



      What can I do from a Buddhist perspective, to completely cancel out this action and its resultant negative thought-stream once and for all?










      share|improve this question









      New contributor




      Eugene is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.












      Several years ago I did something that was totally legal, but very much against my upbringing, my world-view, and my ethics. It was a spur of the moment thing and I have regretted it massively ever since. However, it has haunted me mentally (and to an extent physically, due to tension) ever since.



      I might add, this event didn't hurt anyone else.



      What can I do from a Buddhist perspective, to completely cancel out this action and its resultant negative thought-stream once and for all?







      personal-practice karma suffering






      share|improve this question









      New contributor




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      edited 14 hours ago









      Peter Mortensen

      1112




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      asked Mar 31 at 21:23









      EugeneEugene

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          Nyom Eugene,



          it's most needed to speak with an "admirable" friend", a teacher (one who actually knows), at least not only to know if it was a fault and which kind of. As your words here give much doubt in regard of whether it even wars or if "you world-view" has something to do with what is right or wrong, and since it is not a proper enviroment here, it's good when Nyom seeks for refuge at proper place.



          All my person can offer are proper places here. Amends & confession or Uposatha/Sila ceremonies.



          The pattern to come out of a fault is simple: recognize it clear as fault, be ashamed and express it, firm resolving not to ever engage into such again. That's it. Clean. Yet of course does not make deeds undone, but when effects ripe later, easy to bear and one can after cleaning move on, having been lifted out of the hole.






          share|improve this answer










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            1














            The Buddha taught every negative action arises from "the element of ignorance" rather than is performed by "the self". "You" did not perform the negative action. What performed the negative action was "the element of ignorance". This is the path of cleansing of Noble Practitioners.



            Refer to suttas SN 45.1, SN 12.17, Dhp 172 & 173 & MN 115.






            share|improve this answer


























            • Excellent readings @dhammadhatu. Thank you for referring me to them. And the words "You" did not perform the negative action. What performed the negative action was "the element of ignorance" is an important truth for me to remember. I think I need to get that tattoo'd up my arm to make sure I never forget it.

              – Eugene
              2 days ago





















            0














            According to SN 7.21 (quoted below), one could purify oneself of sins, not by water purification (as practised by Brahmins), but rather by dipping oneself in the lake of the Dhamma (Buddha's teachings) which has the shore of virtues (sila) - in order words, by practising the teachings, we can purify ourselves.




            The Buddha said to Sangarava:



            “Is it really true, brahmin, that you practice purification by water,
            believing in purification by water; that you live committed to the
            practice of immersing yourself in water at dawn and dusk?”



            “Yes, Master Gotama.”



            “But brahmin, for what reason do you practice purification by water?”



            “It’s because, Master Gotama, whatever bad deeds I’ve done during the
            day I wash off by bathing at dusk; and whatever bad deeds I’ve done
            during the night, I wash off by bathing at dawn. That’s the reason why
            I practice purification by water.”




            “The teaching is a lake with shores of ethics, brahmin,

            unclouded, praised by the fine to the good.

            There the knowledge-masters go to bathe,

            and cross to the far shore without getting wet.”




            When he had spoken, Saṅgārava said to the Buddha:



            “Excellent, Master Gotama! Excellent! … From this day forth, may
            Master Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge
            for life.”




            According to the Salt Crystal Sutta (quoted below), the notion of purification by practising the teachings is expounded further, through the explanation that one should be "developed in [contemplating] the body, developed in virtue, developed in mind, developed in discernment: unrestricted, large-hearted, dwelling with the immeasurable". If you dive deep into what this phrase means, that's all you need to cleanse your negative past completely. You can find some useful commentary by Piya Tan here.




            "Suppose that a man were to drop a salt crystal into a small amount of
            water in a cup. What do you think? Would the water in the cup become
            salty because of the salt crystal, and unfit to drink?"



            "Yes, lord. Why is that? There being only a small amount of water in
            the cup, it would become salty because of the salt crystal, and unfit
            to drink."



            "Now suppose that a man were to drop a salt crystal into the River
            Ganges. What do you think? Would the water in the River Ganges become
            salty because of the salt crystal, and unfit to drink?"



            "No, lord. Why is that? There being a great mass of water in the River
            Ganges, it would not become salty because of the salt crystal or unfit
            to drink."



            "In the same way, there is the case where a trifling evil deed done by
            one individual [the first] takes him to hell; and there is the case
            where the very same sort of trifling deed done by the other individual
            is experienced in the here & now, and for the most part barely appears
            for a moment.



            'Now, a trifling evil act done by what sort of individual takes him to
            hell? There is the case where a certain individual is undeveloped in
            the body, undeveloped in virtue, undeveloped in mind [i.e.,
            painful feelings can invade the mind and stay there], undeveloped in
            discernment: restricted, small-hearted, dwelling with suffering. A
            trifling evil act done by this sort of individual takes him to hell.



            'Now, a trifling evil act done by what sort of individual is
            experienced in the here & now, and for the most part barely appears
            for a moment? There is the case where a certain individual is
            developed in the body, developed in virtue, developed in mind
            [i.e., painful feelings cannot invade the mind and stay there],
            developed in discernment: unrestricted, large-hearted, dwelling with
            the immeasurable. A trifling evil act done by this sort of individual
            is experienced in the here & now, and for the most part barely appears
            for a moment.




            The teachings on the Brahmaviharas in particular are further elaborated in AN 10.219.






            share|improve this answer

































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              I'm not a professional or anything like that. I don't have a bunch of garbage to text. Simply forgive yourself.






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              We're looking for long answers that provide some explanation and context. Don't just give a one-line answer; explain why your answer is right, ideally with citations. Answers that don't include explanations may be removed.










              • 3





                Hello and welcome to Buddhism SE. For information on how to write a good answer, please see "How do I write a good answer?". Answer needs to be revised and provided with further context and explanation.

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              • Don't really like what you're implying with "I don't have a bunch of garbage to text." It comes off like you're looking down on people who give long answers, which isn't cool.

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              • My bad didn't mean to hurt your feelings. That's not what I was implying. I read the question and the answer to me was simple. But I am not that person and it may not be simple for him. I was implying that I don't need to type a ton of stuff for such a simple answer. Apparently there are rules for that. I don't like rules made by man. They are useless.

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                23 hours ago












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              Nyom Eugene,



              it's most needed to speak with an "admirable" friend", a teacher (one who actually knows), at least not only to know if it was a fault and which kind of. As your words here give much doubt in regard of whether it even wars or if "you world-view" has something to do with what is right or wrong, and since it is not a proper enviroment here, it's good when Nyom seeks for refuge at proper place.



              All my person can offer are proper places here. Amends & confession or Uposatha/Sila ceremonies.



              The pattern to come out of a fault is simple: recognize it clear as fault, be ashamed and express it, firm resolving not to ever engage into such again. That's it. Clean. Yet of course does not make deeds undone, but when effects ripe later, easy to bear and one can after cleaning move on, having been lifted out of the hole.






              share|improve this answer










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                1














                Nyom Eugene,



                it's most needed to speak with an "admirable" friend", a teacher (one who actually knows), at least not only to know if it was a fault and which kind of. As your words here give much doubt in regard of whether it even wars or if "you world-view" has something to do with what is right or wrong, and since it is not a proper enviroment here, it's good when Nyom seeks for refuge at proper place.



                All my person can offer are proper places here. Amends & confession or Uposatha/Sila ceremonies.



                The pattern to come out of a fault is simple: recognize it clear as fault, be ashamed and express it, firm resolving not to ever engage into such again. That's it. Clean. Yet of course does not make deeds undone, but when effects ripe later, easy to bear and one can after cleaning move on, having been lifted out of the hole.






                share|improve this answer










                New contributor




                Samana Johann is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                Check out our Code of Conduct.























                  1












                  1








                  1







                  Nyom Eugene,



                  it's most needed to speak with an "admirable" friend", a teacher (one who actually knows), at least not only to know if it was a fault and which kind of. As your words here give much doubt in regard of whether it even wars or if "you world-view" has something to do with what is right or wrong, and since it is not a proper enviroment here, it's good when Nyom seeks for refuge at proper place.



                  All my person can offer are proper places here. Amends & confession or Uposatha/Sila ceremonies.



                  The pattern to come out of a fault is simple: recognize it clear as fault, be ashamed and express it, firm resolving not to ever engage into such again. That's it. Clean. Yet of course does not make deeds undone, but when effects ripe later, easy to bear and one can after cleaning move on, having been lifted out of the hole.






                  share|improve this answer










                  New contributor




                  Samana Johann is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                  Check out our Code of Conduct.










                  Nyom Eugene,



                  it's most needed to speak with an "admirable" friend", a teacher (one who actually knows), at least not only to know if it was a fault and which kind of. As your words here give much doubt in regard of whether it even wars or if "you world-view" has something to do with what is right or wrong, and since it is not a proper enviroment here, it's good when Nyom seeks for refuge at proper place.



                  All my person can offer are proper places here. Amends & confession or Uposatha/Sila ceremonies.



                  The pattern to come out of a fault is simple: recognize it clear as fault, be ashamed and express it, firm resolving not to ever engage into such again. That's it. Clean. Yet of course does not make deeds undone, but when effects ripe later, easy to bear and one can after cleaning move on, having been lifted out of the hole.







                  share|improve this answer










                  New contributor




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                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer








                  edited Apr 1 at 0:05





















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                  answered Mar 31 at 23:36









                  Samana JohannSamana Johann

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                  112




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                      1














                      The Buddha taught every negative action arises from "the element of ignorance" rather than is performed by "the self". "You" did not perform the negative action. What performed the negative action was "the element of ignorance". This is the path of cleansing of Noble Practitioners.



                      Refer to suttas SN 45.1, SN 12.17, Dhp 172 & 173 & MN 115.






                      share|improve this answer


























                      • Excellent readings @dhammadhatu. Thank you for referring me to them. And the words "You" did not perform the negative action. What performed the negative action was "the element of ignorance" is an important truth for me to remember. I think I need to get that tattoo'd up my arm to make sure I never forget it.

                        – Eugene
                        2 days ago


















                      1














                      The Buddha taught every negative action arises from "the element of ignorance" rather than is performed by "the self". "You" did not perform the negative action. What performed the negative action was "the element of ignorance". This is the path of cleansing of Noble Practitioners.



                      Refer to suttas SN 45.1, SN 12.17, Dhp 172 & 173 & MN 115.






                      share|improve this answer


























                      • Excellent readings @dhammadhatu. Thank you for referring me to them. And the words "You" did not perform the negative action. What performed the negative action was "the element of ignorance" is an important truth for me to remember. I think I need to get that tattoo'd up my arm to make sure I never forget it.

                        – Eugene
                        2 days ago
















                      1












                      1








                      1







                      The Buddha taught every negative action arises from "the element of ignorance" rather than is performed by "the self". "You" did not perform the negative action. What performed the negative action was "the element of ignorance". This is the path of cleansing of Noble Practitioners.



                      Refer to suttas SN 45.1, SN 12.17, Dhp 172 & 173 & MN 115.






                      share|improve this answer















                      The Buddha taught every negative action arises from "the element of ignorance" rather than is performed by "the self". "You" did not perform the negative action. What performed the negative action was "the element of ignorance". This is the path of cleansing of Noble Practitioners.



                      Refer to suttas SN 45.1, SN 12.17, Dhp 172 & 173 & MN 115.







                      share|improve this answer














                      share|improve this answer



                      share|improve this answer








                      edited Apr 1 at 2:52

























                      answered Apr 1 at 2:46









                      DhammadhatuDhammadhatu

                      25.7k11044




                      25.7k11044













                      • Excellent readings @dhammadhatu. Thank you for referring me to them. And the words "You" did not perform the negative action. What performed the negative action was "the element of ignorance" is an important truth for me to remember. I think I need to get that tattoo'd up my arm to make sure I never forget it.

                        – Eugene
                        2 days ago





















                      • Excellent readings @dhammadhatu. Thank you for referring me to them. And the words "You" did not perform the negative action. What performed the negative action was "the element of ignorance" is an important truth for me to remember. I think I need to get that tattoo'd up my arm to make sure I never forget it.

                        – Eugene
                        2 days ago



















                      Excellent readings @dhammadhatu. Thank you for referring me to them. And the words "You" did not perform the negative action. What performed the negative action was "the element of ignorance" is an important truth for me to remember. I think I need to get that tattoo'd up my arm to make sure I never forget it.

                      – Eugene
                      2 days ago







                      Excellent readings @dhammadhatu. Thank you for referring me to them. And the words "You" did not perform the negative action. What performed the negative action was "the element of ignorance" is an important truth for me to remember. I think I need to get that tattoo'd up my arm to make sure I never forget it.

                      – Eugene
                      2 days ago













                      0














                      According to SN 7.21 (quoted below), one could purify oneself of sins, not by water purification (as practised by Brahmins), but rather by dipping oneself in the lake of the Dhamma (Buddha's teachings) which has the shore of virtues (sila) - in order words, by practising the teachings, we can purify ourselves.




                      The Buddha said to Sangarava:



                      “Is it really true, brahmin, that you practice purification by water,
                      believing in purification by water; that you live committed to the
                      practice of immersing yourself in water at dawn and dusk?”



                      “Yes, Master Gotama.”



                      “But brahmin, for what reason do you practice purification by water?”



                      “It’s because, Master Gotama, whatever bad deeds I’ve done during the
                      day I wash off by bathing at dusk; and whatever bad deeds I’ve done
                      during the night, I wash off by bathing at dawn. That’s the reason why
                      I practice purification by water.”




                      “The teaching is a lake with shores of ethics, brahmin,

                      unclouded, praised by the fine to the good.

                      There the knowledge-masters go to bathe,

                      and cross to the far shore without getting wet.”




                      When he had spoken, Saṅgārava said to the Buddha:



                      “Excellent, Master Gotama! Excellent! … From this day forth, may
                      Master Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge
                      for life.”




                      According to the Salt Crystal Sutta (quoted below), the notion of purification by practising the teachings is expounded further, through the explanation that one should be "developed in [contemplating] the body, developed in virtue, developed in mind, developed in discernment: unrestricted, large-hearted, dwelling with the immeasurable". If you dive deep into what this phrase means, that's all you need to cleanse your negative past completely. You can find some useful commentary by Piya Tan here.




                      "Suppose that a man were to drop a salt crystal into a small amount of
                      water in a cup. What do you think? Would the water in the cup become
                      salty because of the salt crystal, and unfit to drink?"



                      "Yes, lord. Why is that? There being only a small amount of water in
                      the cup, it would become salty because of the salt crystal, and unfit
                      to drink."



                      "Now suppose that a man were to drop a salt crystal into the River
                      Ganges. What do you think? Would the water in the River Ganges become
                      salty because of the salt crystal, and unfit to drink?"



                      "No, lord. Why is that? There being a great mass of water in the River
                      Ganges, it would not become salty because of the salt crystal or unfit
                      to drink."



                      "In the same way, there is the case where a trifling evil deed done by
                      one individual [the first] takes him to hell; and there is the case
                      where the very same sort of trifling deed done by the other individual
                      is experienced in the here & now, and for the most part barely appears
                      for a moment.



                      'Now, a trifling evil act done by what sort of individual takes him to
                      hell? There is the case where a certain individual is undeveloped in
                      the body, undeveloped in virtue, undeveloped in mind [i.e.,
                      painful feelings can invade the mind and stay there], undeveloped in
                      discernment: restricted, small-hearted, dwelling with suffering. A
                      trifling evil act done by this sort of individual takes him to hell.



                      'Now, a trifling evil act done by what sort of individual is
                      experienced in the here & now, and for the most part barely appears
                      for a moment? There is the case where a certain individual is
                      developed in the body, developed in virtue, developed in mind
                      [i.e., painful feelings cannot invade the mind and stay there],
                      developed in discernment: unrestricted, large-hearted, dwelling with
                      the immeasurable. A trifling evil act done by this sort of individual
                      is experienced in the here & now, and for the most part barely appears
                      for a moment.




                      The teachings on the Brahmaviharas in particular are further elaborated in AN 10.219.






                      share|improve this answer






























                        0














                        According to SN 7.21 (quoted below), one could purify oneself of sins, not by water purification (as practised by Brahmins), but rather by dipping oneself in the lake of the Dhamma (Buddha's teachings) which has the shore of virtues (sila) - in order words, by practising the teachings, we can purify ourselves.




                        The Buddha said to Sangarava:



                        “Is it really true, brahmin, that you practice purification by water,
                        believing in purification by water; that you live committed to the
                        practice of immersing yourself in water at dawn and dusk?”



                        “Yes, Master Gotama.”



                        “But brahmin, for what reason do you practice purification by water?”



                        “It’s because, Master Gotama, whatever bad deeds I’ve done during the
                        day I wash off by bathing at dusk; and whatever bad deeds I’ve done
                        during the night, I wash off by bathing at dawn. That’s the reason why
                        I practice purification by water.”




                        “The teaching is a lake with shores of ethics, brahmin,

                        unclouded, praised by the fine to the good.

                        There the knowledge-masters go to bathe,

                        and cross to the far shore without getting wet.”




                        When he had spoken, Saṅgārava said to the Buddha:



                        “Excellent, Master Gotama! Excellent! … From this day forth, may
                        Master Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge
                        for life.”




                        According to the Salt Crystal Sutta (quoted below), the notion of purification by practising the teachings is expounded further, through the explanation that one should be "developed in [contemplating] the body, developed in virtue, developed in mind, developed in discernment: unrestricted, large-hearted, dwelling with the immeasurable". If you dive deep into what this phrase means, that's all you need to cleanse your negative past completely. You can find some useful commentary by Piya Tan here.




                        "Suppose that a man were to drop a salt crystal into a small amount of
                        water in a cup. What do you think? Would the water in the cup become
                        salty because of the salt crystal, and unfit to drink?"



                        "Yes, lord. Why is that? There being only a small amount of water in
                        the cup, it would become salty because of the salt crystal, and unfit
                        to drink."



                        "Now suppose that a man were to drop a salt crystal into the River
                        Ganges. What do you think? Would the water in the River Ganges become
                        salty because of the salt crystal, and unfit to drink?"



                        "No, lord. Why is that? There being a great mass of water in the River
                        Ganges, it would not become salty because of the salt crystal or unfit
                        to drink."



                        "In the same way, there is the case where a trifling evil deed done by
                        one individual [the first] takes him to hell; and there is the case
                        where the very same sort of trifling deed done by the other individual
                        is experienced in the here & now, and for the most part barely appears
                        for a moment.



                        'Now, a trifling evil act done by what sort of individual takes him to
                        hell? There is the case where a certain individual is undeveloped in
                        the body, undeveloped in virtue, undeveloped in mind [i.e.,
                        painful feelings can invade the mind and stay there], undeveloped in
                        discernment: restricted, small-hearted, dwelling with suffering. A
                        trifling evil act done by this sort of individual takes him to hell.



                        'Now, a trifling evil act done by what sort of individual is
                        experienced in the here & now, and for the most part barely appears
                        for a moment? There is the case where a certain individual is
                        developed in the body, developed in virtue, developed in mind
                        [i.e., painful feelings cannot invade the mind and stay there],
                        developed in discernment: unrestricted, large-hearted, dwelling with
                        the immeasurable. A trifling evil act done by this sort of individual
                        is experienced in the here & now, and for the most part barely appears
                        for a moment.




                        The teachings on the Brahmaviharas in particular are further elaborated in AN 10.219.






                        share|improve this answer




























                          0












                          0








                          0







                          According to SN 7.21 (quoted below), one could purify oneself of sins, not by water purification (as practised by Brahmins), but rather by dipping oneself in the lake of the Dhamma (Buddha's teachings) which has the shore of virtues (sila) - in order words, by practising the teachings, we can purify ourselves.




                          The Buddha said to Sangarava:



                          “Is it really true, brahmin, that you practice purification by water,
                          believing in purification by water; that you live committed to the
                          practice of immersing yourself in water at dawn and dusk?”



                          “Yes, Master Gotama.”



                          “But brahmin, for what reason do you practice purification by water?”



                          “It’s because, Master Gotama, whatever bad deeds I’ve done during the
                          day I wash off by bathing at dusk; and whatever bad deeds I’ve done
                          during the night, I wash off by bathing at dawn. That’s the reason why
                          I practice purification by water.”




                          “The teaching is a lake with shores of ethics, brahmin,

                          unclouded, praised by the fine to the good.

                          There the knowledge-masters go to bathe,

                          and cross to the far shore without getting wet.”




                          When he had spoken, Saṅgārava said to the Buddha:



                          “Excellent, Master Gotama! Excellent! … From this day forth, may
                          Master Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge
                          for life.”




                          According to the Salt Crystal Sutta (quoted below), the notion of purification by practising the teachings is expounded further, through the explanation that one should be "developed in [contemplating] the body, developed in virtue, developed in mind, developed in discernment: unrestricted, large-hearted, dwelling with the immeasurable". If you dive deep into what this phrase means, that's all you need to cleanse your negative past completely. You can find some useful commentary by Piya Tan here.




                          "Suppose that a man were to drop a salt crystal into a small amount of
                          water in a cup. What do you think? Would the water in the cup become
                          salty because of the salt crystal, and unfit to drink?"



                          "Yes, lord. Why is that? There being only a small amount of water in
                          the cup, it would become salty because of the salt crystal, and unfit
                          to drink."



                          "Now suppose that a man were to drop a salt crystal into the River
                          Ganges. What do you think? Would the water in the River Ganges become
                          salty because of the salt crystal, and unfit to drink?"



                          "No, lord. Why is that? There being a great mass of water in the River
                          Ganges, it would not become salty because of the salt crystal or unfit
                          to drink."



                          "In the same way, there is the case where a trifling evil deed done by
                          one individual [the first] takes him to hell; and there is the case
                          where the very same sort of trifling deed done by the other individual
                          is experienced in the here & now, and for the most part barely appears
                          for a moment.



                          'Now, a trifling evil act done by what sort of individual takes him to
                          hell? There is the case where a certain individual is undeveloped in
                          the body, undeveloped in virtue, undeveloped in mind [i.e.,
                          painful feelings can invade the mind and stay there], undeveloped in
                          discernment: restricted, small-hearted, dwelling with suffering. A
                          trifling evil act done by this sort of individual takes him to hell.



                          'Now, a trifling evil act done by what sort of individual is
                          experienced in the here & now, and for the most part barely appears
                          for a moment? There is the case where a certain individual is
                          developed in the body, developed in virtue, developed in mind
                          [i.e., painful feelings cannot invade the mind and stay there],
                          developed in discernment: unrestricted, large-hearted, dwelling with
                          the immeasurable. A trifling evil act done by this sort of individual
                          is experienced in the here & now, and for the most part barely appears
                          for a moment.




                          The teachings on the Brahmaviharas in particular are further elaborated in AN 10.219.






                          share|improve this answer















                          According to SN 7.21 (quoted below), one could purify oneself of sins, not by water purification (as practised by Brahmins), but rather by dipping oneself in the lake of the Dhamma (Buddha's teachings) which has the shore of virtues (sila) - in order words, by practising the teachings, we can purify ourselves.




                          The Buddha said to Sangarava:



                          “Is it really true, brahmin, that you practice purification by water,
                          believing in purification by water; that you live committed to the
                          practice of immersing yourself in water at dawn and dusk?”



                          “Yes, Master Gotama.”



                          “But brahmin, for what reason do you practice purification by water?”



                          “It’s because, Master Gotama, whatever bad deeds I’ve done during the
                          day I wash off by bathing at dusk; and whatever bad deeds I’ve done
                          during the night, I wash off by bathing at dawn. That’s the reason why
                          I practice purification by water.”




                          “The teaching is a lake with shores of ethics, brahmin,

                          unclouded, praised by the fine to the good.

                          There the knowledge-masters go to bathe,

                          and cross to the far shore without getting wet.”




                          When he had spoken, Saṅgārava said to the Buddha:



                          “Excellent, Master Gotama! Excellent! … From this day forth, may
                          Master Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge
                          for life.”




                          According to the Salt Crystal Sutta (quoted below), the notion of purification by practising the teachings is expounded further, through the explanation that one should be "developed in [contemplating] the body, developed in virtue, developed in mind, developed in discernment: unrestricted, large-hearted, dwelling with the immeasurable". If you dive deep into what this phrase means, that's all you need to cleanse your negative past completely. You can find some useful commentary by Piya Tan here.




                          "Suppose that a man were to drop a salt crystal into a small amount of
                          water in a cup. What do you think? Would the water in the cup become
                          salty because of the salt crystal, and unfit to drink?"



                          "Yes, lord. Why is that? There being only a small amount of water in
                          the cup, it would become salty because of the salt crystal, and unfit
                          to drink."



                          "Now suppose that a man were to drop a salt crystal into the River
                          Ganges. What do you think? Would the water in the River Ganges become
                          salty because of the salt crystal, and unfit to drink?"



                          "No, lord. Why is that? There being a great mass of water in the River
                          Ganges, it would not become salty because of the salt crystal or unfit
                          to drink."



                          "In the same way, there is the case where a trifling evil deed done by
                          one individual [the first] takes him to hell; and there is the case
                          where the very same sort of trifling deed done by the other individual
                          is experienced in the here & now, and for the most part barely appears
                          for a moment.



                          'Now, a trifling evil act done by what sort of individual takes him to
                          hell? There is the case where a certain individual is undeveloped in
                          the body, undeveloped in virtue, undeveloped in mind [i.e.,
                          painful feelings can invade the mind and stay there], undeveloped in
                          discernment: restricted, small-hearted, dwelling with suffering. A
                          trifling evil act done by this sort of individual takes him to hell.



                          'Now, a trifling evil act done by what sort of individual is
                          experienced in the here & now, and for the most part barely appears
                          for a moment? There is the case where a certain individual is
                          developed in the body, developed in virtue, developed in mind
                          [i.e., painful feelings cannot invade the mind and stay there],
                          developed in discernment: unrestricted, large-hearted, dwelling with
                          the immeasurable. A trifling evil act done by this sort of individual
                          is experienced in the here & now, and for the most part barely appears
                          for a moment.




                          The teachings on the Brahmaviharas in particular are further elaborated in AN 10.219.







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                                Hello and welcome to Buddhism SE. For information on how to write a good answer, please see "How do I write a good answer?". Answer needs to be revised and provided with further context and explanation.

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                              • Don't really like what you're implying with "I don't have a bunch of garbage to text." It comes off like you're looking down on people who give long answers, which isn't cool.

                                – Jess STJ
                                yesterday











                              • My bad didn't mean to hurt your feelings. That's not what I was implying. I read the question and the answer to me was simple. But I am not that person and it may not be simple for him. I was implying that I don't need to type a ton of stuff for such a simple answer. Apparently there are rules for that. I don't like rules made by man. They are useless.

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                                23 hours ago








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                              – Lanka
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                              Don't really like what you're implying with "I don't have a bunch of garbage to text." It comes off like you're looking down on people who give long answers, which isn't cool.

                              – Jess STJ
                              yesterday





                              Don't really like what you're implying with "I don't have a bunch of garbage to text." It comes off like you're looking down on people who give long answers, which isn't cool.

                              – Jess STJ
                              yesterday













                              My bad didn't mean to hurt your feelings. That's not what I was implying. I read the question and the answer to me was simple. But I am not that person and it may not be simple for him. I was implying that I don't need to type a ton of stuff for such a simple answer. Apparently there are rules for that. I don't like rules made by man. They are useless.

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                              23 hours ago





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