________________ "O Bhante! What does the soul attain by confessing its sins?" If one has complete faith, confessing can become the road to salvation. When a person confesses his mistakes to his Guru and his heart cries, the sins are washed away and he moves closer to Parmatma. Aalochana is disclosing to our Guru, how we are, what our true self is and what our thoughts are when we are alone. In front of others, we project ourselves as perfect, virtuous individuals because we want to portray an outstanding image in the eyes of others. 'Confession of one's sins ensures that he will not become a woman in the future.'What does this mean? Jealousy...deceit...sweet tongue on the outside and bitterness inside... are characteristics, typical of a woman. According to the Aagam of Parmatma, the highest tendency of illusory thoughts regarding the world(maya), attachments and affection that makes one weak and deceitful tendency(kapat) are in tiriyanch (sub-humans, animals)... and lesser than them, they are in women,while they are the least in men. When there is a dead body within and flowers on the surface, it is called grave or tomb. When there is deceit and malice within, but a sweet smile on the face, it is called deceit. -- R 86 =
