Repentance

Repentance is the process of reviewing one's own actions and feeling contrition for wrongdoings. This involves feeling regret for past or present mistakes. It is more than just feeling sorry for a deed. It also requires a commitment to personal change. This change shows a resolve to live a more responsible and humane life. Many people use repentance to deal with guilt over specific sins or series of sins.

In many religious contexts, repentance follows a specific sequence of actions. A person may perform an act of confession to God. They might also confess to a spiritual elder, such as a monk or a priest. This confession often includes an admission of guilt. The person may also make a promise not to repeat the offense. In some cases, they attempt to make restitution for the wrong. This means trying to reverse the harmful effects of the action whenever possible.

Judaism views repentance as a way to atone for sin. The Hebrew word for repentance is tshuva, which literally means "return." The primary purpose of this practice is ethical self-transformation. Judaism teaches that everyone sins on occasion. However, people can minimize these occasions by repenting for past transgressions. A person who practices this is called a baal teshuva. For a woman, the term is baalat teshuva. A modern term for this is hozer beteshuva.

Christianity treats repentance as a stage in the process of salvation. This is often called the ordo salutis. In the Reformed theological tradition, repentance occurs after faith. Other traditions, like Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Lutheran theology, view it differently. They see it as part of the sacrament of confession and absolution. Some denominations follow a liturgical kalendar. These include Catholicism, Lutheranism, Moravianism, and Anglicanism. These groups focus on repentance during the season of Lent.

In Islam, the concept of repentance is known as tawba. This is the act of repenting to God for misdeeds. Tawba involves leaving what God has prohibited. It also means returning to what He has commanded. The term includes remorse, resolution, and repentance. Islam teaches that there is no original sin. Because of this, tawba is a direct matter between a person and God. There is no need for an intercessor. If a sin involves another person, restitution is required.

Other traditions use different methods for self-reflection and atonement. Hinduism uses the Dharma Shastras and Vedas to advocate for these practices. They use terms like paschatapa for repentance and prayaschitta for atonement. Buddhism also emphasizes the importance of self-assessment. The Buddha taught that shame, or hiri, is an essential safeguard. He also taught that fear of consequences, or otappa, helps prevent evil. Buddhists practice yoniso manasikara, which is wise reflection on one's own actions.

Specific verses and ancient traditions provide deeper ways to practice these ideas. In Mahayana Buddhism, followers may use Samantabhadra's Repentance Verse. This verse comes from Chapter 40 of the Flower Adornment Sutra. It mentions repenting for deeds created by the body, mouth, and mind. In Hawaii, the ancient practice of hooponopono focuses on reconciliation. This practice combines repentance with prayers for forgiveness. Traditionally, healing priests called kahuna lapaau performed this for family members. Modern versions can be done by an elder or alone.