Can't Forgive Yourself? What Nichiren Daishonin Wrote About Frost and Dew Under the Sun
When the past won't let you go
Something you said. Something you did, or didn't do. A person you hurt who can't be reached now. A decision that changed everything. An "if only" that replays at night.
Maybe others have forgiven you, or forgotten. You haven't. The guilt sits underneath everything, quietly telling you that you don't deserve good things, that you'll always be the person who did that.
If you are carrying regret you can't put down, the Daishonin spoke both to the reality of our mistakes and to the possibility of complete renewal. He even spoke openly about his own.
What does the Gosho say about guilt and regret?
Nichiren Daishonin wrote, "Our worldly misdeeds and evil karma may have piled up as high as Mount Sumeru, but when we take faith in this sutra, they will vanish like frost or dew under the sun" (WND-1, 1026). No mistake is beyond transformation. And he admitted openly that in his own past, he had "laughed at those who practiced the Lotus Sutra" (WND-1, 304). Even the Daishonin had regrets, and he turned them into the fuel for his mission.
Like frost under the sun
To Niike, a government official, the Daishonin wrote:
> "Our worldly misdeeds and evil karma may have piled up as high as Mount Sumeru, but when we take faith in this sutra, they will vanish like frost or dew under the sun of the Lotus Sutra." > — Letter to Niike, WND-1, 1026
Mount Sumeru, in Buddhist cosmology, is the highest mountain there is. Even mistakes piled that high, the Daishonin says, can melt away like frost when the sun rises.
That doesn't mean what you did doesn't matter. It means you are not frozen at the moment of your worst mistake. The sun keeps rising.
The Daishonin's own regret
In Letter from Sado, the Daishonin was remarkably honest about his own past:
> "Since Nichiren himself committed slander in the past, he became a Nembutsu priest in this lifetime, and for several years he also laughed at those who practiced the Lotus Sutra." > — Letter from Sado, WND-1, 304
He went on to describe his regret as bitter. He didn't hide his past or pretend it hadn't happened. He owned it, and then he poured his life into making things right.
That is the Buddhist path through guilt: not endless self-punishment, which helps no one, but honest acknowledgement followed by committed change. Your regret can become the source of your compassion for others who have made mistakes too.
One small step for tonight
Write down what you regret, honestly. Then ask: is there anything I can still do to make amends, such as an apology, a letter, a change in how I treat people now? If so, write the first step.
If the person can't be reached, consider doing something kind for someone else in their honour.
Chant to forgive yourself, for the happiness of anyone you hurt, and to use what you learned to become a more compassionate person. If guilt is overwhelming, or linked to persistent low mood, please talk to a counsellor.
Your story could help someone else
We don't yet have a member experience focused on transforming guilt and regret. If you have found your way from self-blame to self-forgiveness and change, consider sharing your experience, anonymously if you prefer. Someone reading this page tonight may be carrying the same weight.
Related experiences about personal change are below.
Frequently asked questions
How do I forgive myself?
Acknowledge what happened honestly, make amends where you can, and commit to living differently. The Daishonin taught that misdeeds "will vanish like frost or dew under the sun" (WND-1, 1026) through faith.
Does Buddhism say my past karma can't be changed?
No. The Daishonin taught that even mistakes piled as high as Mount Sumeru can be transformed. He spoke openly about his own past and how he changed (WND-1, 304).
Should I apologise to someone I hurt long ago?
Often, yes, if it would help them and not reopen harm. Think about their wellbeing first. Sometimes a sincere letter is best.
What should I chant for when I feel guilty?
Chant for the happiness of anyone you hurt, for the courage to make amends, and to transform the regret into compassion and wisdom.
Which Gosho should I read when I can't forgive myself?
Letter to Niike (WND-1, 1026–1032) and Letter from Sado (WND-1, 301–308).
Sources
All passages are from The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Volume I (WND-1):
- Letter to Niike, p. 1026 - Letter from Sado, p. 304