STUDENT:
If a person puts repentance aside, doesn't the session become samadhi practice?
SHIH-FU:
There is a difference. First there is the recitation of the liturgy before or after the session. Also, in this type of practice, the person recites the name of a different Buddha or bodhisattva during each prostration. Because of this added recitation, it is not possible to enter samadhi. Nonetheless, when a person does this for a sufficient length of time, the mind will calm down and sitting meditation will be easier.
Also, there are people who do repentance prostrations without following a liturgy. Usually, however, they follow a pattern. For instance, every day they may do 500 prostrations with a mind of repentance. Again, it does not mean that they are forcing repentance; they just remind themselves before beginning that these are repentance prostrations. It is a useful practice. I did it when I was a young monk and after a while I got a special response from the practice. I got a cool sensation in my head and afterwards I was clear-minded. I did these prostrations because my master told me if I wanted to be smarter I had to prostrate to Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara (Kuan-yin). I was concerned my master would kick me out, so I did 500 prostrations a day. After a while, I did not do them to gain anything. I did them because it felt good and right. I just did them with a mind of repentance. Eventually my mind cleared.
STUDENT:
Would you recommend doing prostrations as a substitute for meditation once or twice a week?