If you can give rise to a sentiment of repentance or gratitude, that is good. If you cannot genuinely feel it, just say a few things and then leave it behind and go on to concentrate on your movements. Don't force the issue.

Some people do prostrations during retreats and they want to have tears; they want to cry with remorse. if it doesn't happen, they ask me why I won't let them cry. I don't have much to do with it. So I tell them either it's not time for them to cry or that they are not the type of person who cries.

STUDENT:

What about prostrating to Dharma teachers? During retreat we prostrate to Shih-fu before interview, and also during various services and ceremonies. Furthermore, some people prostrate to teachers, monks and nuns when they greet them. I imagine this is part of the Oriental tradition, but many Westerners find this practice uncomfortable. Is there a certain attitude a person should have in such instances?

SHIH-FU:

We pay respect to the Three Jewels by prostrating. We prostrate to all Buddhas of the past, present and future. It is the Buddhas who bring the Dharma to the world. We prostrate to the Dharma, the teachings of the Buddha. We prostrate to the Sangha, the community of monks, nuns and spiritual teachers who embody the teachings of the Buddha. Thus, monks, nuns and spiritual teachers are physical representations of the Three Jewels.