when an error is not made on purpose, it is simply called a mistake.

To deliberately do something wrong is not just a mistake, but an evil.

If we can reform our offenses, our offenses will all disappear.

but trying to cover them up will make our offenses much worse.

The shining sun and moon are analogies for a virtuous person whose every word and deed is admired by the people. A solar or lunar eclipse represents the staining of a worthy man's virtue. However, a worthy person would not try to cover up those stains; he would simply diligently reform so that he could be radiant again.

When the radiance of the sun or moon reappears, people feel only joy and gratitude. When a worthy person reforms, people only admire and look up to him more. Basically, "People are not sages; who can be without faults?" However, that doesn't mean we can use this statement as an excuse to be careless. The important thing to remember is, "If you have faults, don't be afraid to change." Why are people afraid to change their faults? Because once your mistakes are known, your reputation is ruined and people may make fun of you or scold you. The process of reforming can be full of ordeals. To not fear anything and diligently overcome the obstructions in your mind is to be truly courageous. And so it's said, "There is no greater good than being able to change your faults." What if you have faults but do not change? There is "no greater misfortune" than that!

The Buddha said, "The ten thousand dharmas are made from the mind alone." We can compare the mind to water. Boats can travel in water, and they can also sink in water. Offenses can be created by the mind, and they can also be eradicated by the mind. A Buddhist repentance puts it aptly: "Offenses arise from the mind and must be repented in the mind. When the mind is gone, offenses are also gone. With mind and offenses gone, both are empty. That is called true repentance and reform." Repentance involves changing one's faults. Faults must be changed at their root. One must rectify the mind— the source of all offenses and blessings. The Great Learningdiscusses the skill of rectifying the mind: Do not cheat even when alone in a dark room; do not be ashamed of a leaking house.

There is a proverb: "Righteousness resembling the blue sky and white sun is nurtured in situations like a dark room or a leaking house. The power to change the world comes from being as cautious as if one were walking on a precipice or treading on thin ice." This is telling us that we should be as cautious and scrupulous when alone in a dark room as when we are in a crowd. Our inner thoughts and outer actions should correspond, so that we are not the least bit deceptive. We must be this way even when we find ourselves in chaos or wandering without a home. "Mr. Zhu's Guidelines for Managing the Household" say, "Good deeds that are done for others to see are not truly good. Evil that is done fearing others will find out is great evil." If our hearts are bright and forthright, and we do not act in ways to seek praise from others or benefit for ourselves, we will naturally be great heroes and our lives will be truly meaningful. We should never let ourselves be tempted by momentary enjoyment or fame into doing something that will bring on eternal disgrace.