The preliminary practices > Purifying non-virtues, downfalls and obstacles

Question 1

Why do we need to purify non-virtuous actions and downfalls?

Answer 1

The main cause of all suffering, including lower rebirth, is non-virtue.

We have already accumulated infinite non-virtuous actions earlier in this life and in our countless previous lives, and if we do not purify these they will definitely throw us into a lower rebirth where it will impossible for us to continue with our Dharma practice.

Question 2

The actual practice of purification

Answer 2

1. The power of regret (purifies the potential for the effect that is an experience similar to the cause)
2. The power of reliance (purifies the potential for the environmental effect)
3. The power of the opponent force (purifies the potential for the ripened effect)
4. The power of promise (purifies the potential for the effect that is a tendency similar to the cause)