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EUEN TODAY, THE RITE OF CONFESSION EXISTS
If anyone says that nowdays neither confession nor person advising atonement exists, then that person wanders for infinite births. The 'Achara Kalpa' and Vyavahara sutra' extracted from the third vastu of the ninth purva and dedicated selfless gurus are still existing. The soul becomes lighter by taking atonement from masters just as a labourer feels relaxed after letting off weight from his head. It is said in Vanditasutra that,
“Kayapavo vi manusso, aaloiya nindiya gurusagase Hoi aereg a lahuo, aohriya bharuvva bharvaho || 1 ||”
One who has committed sins, if he confesses them before Guru, will be relaxed, just as a labourer feels relaxed after letting off weight from his head.
It is nothing surprising to commit a sin as since times immemorial, the soul has committed sins under the influence of karmas and bewitchment. The souls of Tirthankara's also had committed sins, but managed to purify themselves by self-criticism. Scholars have said that -
Confession : The Path to Self-liberation...27
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