In this meditation practice, we move from a breath-counting technique to contemplation. Through repentance and reflection we deepen our compassion.  By practicing this deeper form of contemplation and meditation, we repent our misdeeds, dedicate ourselves to benefit others, and strengthen our own meditation practice. If we practice this contemplation every day, we will soon obtain many benefits: our anger will be replaced by tolerance, our minds will be more at peace, our social interactions will improve, and our friends and foes alike will be more amenable and open to Buddhist cultivation. Here is a model for this meditation practice.

Read the Compassion Contemplation Seven times in the following manner: First read the columns from top to bottom, then  from bottom to top. Repeat until you have sincerely read from top to bottom four times and bottom to top three times. During the contemplation, stay focused. Do not be distracted such as conjuring the people’s faces in your mind. This counts as one session of the Seven-Round Compassion Contemplation.

Elder Dear Ones
I have not appreciated how much my elders have done for me. I should have been more respectful toward them, should have observed filial piety, & should have made them happy. Instead, I have not done as well as I could have.  I have made them angry, ignored their advice, and hurt them with my immature behavior. Now I sincerely repent, and wish to make amends with merits from my Buddhist cultivation. By dedicating the merits of the Third Dhyana Heaven to them, I wish to eradicate their Three Poisons (greed, anger and ignorance), clear their karmic obstacles, hear, practice and support the Buddha Dharma, gain blessings and wisdom, bring forth the Bodhi mind, and never regress until perfect enlightenment is achieved. I also dedicate the merits to my Elder-Dear Ones from all my past lifetimes and wish that they be reborn in one of the better realms (human or devas), eradicate the Three Poisons, clear their karmic obstacles, hear, practice and support the Buddha Dharma, gain blessings and wisdom, bring forth the Bodhi mind, and never regress until perfect enlightenment is achieved.

Peer Dear Ones
I should have been friendly, helpful, and tolerant toward my peer dear-ones, but instead I was jealous of them, I argued and fought with them, and now I repent and make amends to them with my merits. By dedicating the merits of the Second Dhyana Heaven to them, I wish for them to eradicate the Three Poisons, clear their karmic obstacles, and achieve perfect enlightenment. Ialso dedicate the merits of the Second Dhyana Heaven to my Peer-Dear ones wishing them be reborn as humans or devas, until perfect enlightenment is achieved.

Junior Dear Ones
I should have done my best in instructing and guiding my Junior Dear ones, spending time with them, being kind and patient toward them.  Now I wish for them to eradicate their Three Poisons, clear their karmic obstacles, and achieve perfect enlightenment. I also dedicate the merits of the First Dhyana Heaven from all my past lives to my Junior-Dear Ones.

Elders’ Foes 
I wish to turn the bad karma between those that were hostile to my elders, or whom my elders disliked or resented, into good karma. By dedicating the merits of the Third Dhyana Heaven to them, I wish for them to be reborn into one of the better realms, eradicate the Three Poisons, clear their karmic obstacles, and achieve perfect enlightenment. I also dedicate the merits to my Elder-Foes of all my past lives.

Peers’ Foes   
To those that are foes of my Peers, including my own enemies, if they have done wrongs to me, I wish to forgive them and never think of retaliation.  If I have done wrongs to them, I wish to repent and make amends. I dedicate the merits of the Second Dhyana Heaven to them, and wish them well. I wish for them to be reborn into one of the better realms, eradicate the Three Poisons, clear their karmic obstacles, and achieve perfect enlightenment. I wish the same for my Peer-Foes of my previous lifetimes.

Juniors’ Foes 
To those that are foes of my Juniors including my own enemies, if they have done wrongs to me, I wish to forgive them and never think of retaliation. If I  have done wrongs to them, I wish to repent and make amends. I dedicate the merits of the First Dhyana Heaven to them, and wish them well.  I wish for them to be reborn into one of the better realms, and eradicate the Three        Poisons. I wish the same for my Junior-Foes of my previous lifetimes.

Neutral Ones 
To those that are neither dear nor hostile toward my elders, my peers, my juniors and me, I now dedicate my remaining merits to them. I wish for them to be reborn into one of the better realms, and eradicate the Three Poisons. I wish the same for Neutral-Ones of my previous lifetimes.