Is it possible to counteract the consequences of a moral transgression by
publicly acknowledging it? When he reveals to the Buddha that he has
killed his father, King Ajātasattu is said to “yathādhammaṃ paṭikaroti.”
This has been interpreted as “making amends,” or as seeking (and receiving)
“forgiveness” for his crime. Successfully translating this phrase
into English requires that we reexamine etymology and dictionary definitions,
question assumptions made by previous translators, and study
the way that yathādhammaṃ paṭikaroti is used in context. We can better
understand confession as a practice by locating it within the general Indian
concern for ritual purity—ethicized by the Buddha—and showing
that the early Buddhist doctrine of kamma allows for mitigation, though
not eradication, of the consequences of actions under some circumstances.
Is it possible to counteract the consequences of a moral transgression bypublicly acknowledging it? When he reveals to the Buddha that he haskilled his father, King Ajātasattu is said to “yathādhammaṃ paṭikaroti.”This has been interpreted as “making amends,” or as seeking (and receiving)“forgiveness” for his crime. Successfully translating this phraseinto English requires that we reexamine etymology and dictionary definitions,question assumptions made by previous translators, and studythe way that yathādhammaṃ paṭikaroti is used in context. We can betterunderstand confession as a practice by locating it within the general Indianconcern for ritual purity—ethicized by the Buddha—and showingthat the early Buddhist doctrine of kamma allows for mitigation, thoughnot eradication, of the consequences of actions under some circumstances.
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