Confession Series

Daily Confession (from the Vajrapañjara Tantra)

These verses taken from the Vajrapañjara Tantra, which are often recited as part of longer rituals and practices, include lines for taking refuge and generating bodhicitta.

Taking Refuge Bodhicitta

The Bodhisattva’s Confession of Downfalls (Nyingma Version)

from the Words of the Buddha

A popular Nyingma version of the famous Bodhisattvas’ Confession of Downfalls (byang chub sems dpa’i ltung bshags), also known as the Sūtra of the Three Heaps (phung po gsum pa’i mdo), invoking the thirty-five buddhas of confession as a means of purifying transgressions of vows and downfalls of the bodhisattva vow.

Thirty-Five Buddhas Nyingma Mönlam Ten Royal Sūtras

The Lament of Rudra

from the Words of the Buddha

Another popular liturgy taken from the Immaculate Confession Tantra (Dri med bshags rgyud). The version here is taken from that tantra's eleventh chapter.

Restricted

The Noble Sūtra of the Teaching on the Four Factors

from the Words of the Buddha

'The Ārya caturdharmanirdeśa nāma mahāyāna sūtra (‘Phags pa chos bzhi bstan pa zhes bya ba theg pa chen po’i mdo, Toh 249) is the ultimate source for the doctrine of the four powers (stobs bzhi), a popular feature of Tibetan teachings on confession. In this initial, canonical presentation, however, the four are referred to as ''factors'', although two are also called ''powers''. They are: 1) the action of total rejection, 2) the action as remedy, 3) the power of restoration, and 4) the power of support.'

Kangyur

The Ultimate Inexpressible Confession (Yeshe Kuchokma)

from the Words of the Buddha

This confession liturgy, popularly known as Yeshe Kuchokma (ye shes sku mchog ma), is taken from the fourth chapter of the Immaculate Confession Tantra (Dri med bshags rgyud).

Rinchen Terdzö Restricted

Verses of Confession 'Düsum Deshekma'

from the Words of the Buddha

These verses from the final, sixteenth chapter of the Immaculate Confession Tantra (Dri med bshags rgyud) make up one of the most popular confessional liturgies in the Nyingma tradition.

Rinchen Terdzö Restricted

Bodhicaryāvatāra—Chapter 2: Confession of Negativity

by Śāntideva

The second chapter of the Bodhicaryāvatāra (Toh 3871) includes verses on making offerings (mchod pa 'bul ba), taking refuge (skyabs su 'gro ba) and the confession of negativity (sdig pa bshags pa).

Bodhicaryāvatāra Tengyur

Guide to Reciting the Practice of Narak Kong Shak

by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo

A simple guide to the practice known as Narak Kong Shak, or The Confession and Fulfilment that Empties the Hells from their Very Depths.

Reading Methods

Message for Mantrikas: Illuminating the Ocean of Samayas

by Jigme Lingpa

A word-by-word commentary on the Ultimate Inexpressible Confession practice—popularly known as Yeshe Kuchokma—which is the fourth chapter of the Immaculate Confession Tantra. The commentary belongs to the Collection of Discourses (gtam tshogs) section of Jigme Lingpa’s writings.

Restricted 25 Jul 2024

A Topical Outline of the General Confession Spoken by the Five Great Sages

by Patrul Rinpoche

Patrul Rinpoche provides a topical outline (sa bcad) for the confessional liturgy that forms the final chapter of the Immaculate Confession Tantra (Dri med bshags rgyud).

Topical Outlines

Root Downfalls of the Vajra Vehicle

by Aśvaghoṣa

This version of Aśvaghoṣa’s text outlining the fourteen root downfalls of the Vajrayāna differs from the version in the Tengyur; in addition to some minor variations, it contains additional lines to facilitate the confession of all fourteen forms of transgression.

Samaya

The Confession of Downfalls from the Great Compassionate One’s Lotus Uṣṇīṣa

by Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa

This treasure text invoking the Thirty-Five Buddhas of Confession was revealed by Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa as part of the cycle of The Great Compassionate One, Lotus Uṣṇīṣa (thugs rje chen po pad+ma gtsug gtor). It presents a concise version of the famous Bodhisattva’s Confession of Downfalls (byang chub sems dpa'i ltung ba bshags pa).

Chokling Tersar

The Inexpressible, Ultimate Confession (Yeshe Kuchokma)

by Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa

This version of the Yeshe Kuchokma (ye shes sku mchog ma) was arranged by Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa (1829–1870) for recitation during the Ngakso Drupchen (sngags gso sgrub chen) and the Khorwa Dongdruk (‘khor ba dong sprug) practice. Chokgyur Lingpa has added an additional line as well as the syllables oṃ, āḥ and hūṃ to the root text.

The Lament of Rudra

by Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa

This version of the famous confession, revealed as part of the Tukdrup Barché Kunsel (thugs sgrub bar chad kun sel) cycle, differs slightly from the eleventh chapter of the Immaculate Confession Tantra, with minor variations throughout and an additional two lines at the very end.

Termas Chokling Tersar Khyentse Kabab Rinchen Terdzö Restricted

Heart of Vajrasattva—The Heart of Confession, the King of Purification Practices, from 'The Immaculate Secret Vajrasattva'

by Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje

This popular confessional liturgy, revealed as a terma (gter ma) by Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje, is structured around the short six-syllable mantra of Vajrasattva, oṃ vajra sattva hūṃ.

Vajrasattva Termas

Heart of Vajrasattva—The Heart of Confession, the King of Purification Practices, from 'The Immaculate Secret Vajrasattva'

by Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje

An easily chantable version of the popular confessional liturgy revealed by Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje that incorporates Vajrasattva's six-syllable mantra.

Vajrasattva Termas

Emptying the Hells from Their Very Depths: The Sovereign Practice for the Confession of All Impairments and Breakages of Vows and All Negative Actions and Obscurations

from the revelation of Guru Chökyi Wangchuk

This practice of confession and fulfilment, popularly known as Narak Kong Shak, was arranged by combining elements of Guru Chökyi Wangchuk’s revelation called Kagye Sangwa Yongdzok together with the Kagye Drakpo Rangjung Rangshar of the Northern Treasures.

Termas Peaceful and Wrathful Deities Kagyé Fulfilment Rinchen Terdzö Restricted

A Drop of Purifying Nectar: A Brief Confession of Faults

by Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Thaye

A simple practice for confessing all forms of non-virtuous action and all impairments and breakages of vows and commitments.

The Offering-Clouds of Samantabhadra: A Concise Confession and Fulfilment Practice of the Three Roots

by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo

This brief practice of confession and fulfilment (skong bshags) is associated with the Tsokyé Nyingtik revelation.

Chimé Tsokyé Nyingtik Fulfilment Rinchen Terdzö Restricted

A Practice of Fulfilment and Confession to an Ocean of Oath-bound Protectors

by Jigme Lingpa

A simple rite of confession to amend any impairments and breakages of samaya and to purify actions that upset the dharma protectors.

Dharma Protectors Fulfilment Longchen Nyingtik Restricted

Pith Instruction for Repairing Impairments and Breakages

revealed by Jigme Lingpa

This short text outlines a simple method for repairing impairments and breakages of the samaya commitments.

Longchen Nyingtik

The Spontaneous Vajra Song of Fulfilment and Confession

revealed by Jigme Lingpa

A practice of confession and offering as a means to purify vows and restore commitments related to every level of the path, from the śrāvaka vehicle through to Atiyoga or the Great Perfection. The text was first revealed by Jigme Lingpa in 1760 while he was staying at Samye Chimphu.

Fulfilment Longchen Nyingtik Termas Rinchen Terdzö

A Discourse on the Confession of Harmful Deeds Spoken by Yama Dharmarāja to Karma Chakme

by Karma Chakme

Karma Chakme is said to have received this confessional liturgy, which includes a number of mantras, from Yama Dharmarāja (gshin rje chos kyi rgyal po) in a vision.

Brief Confession to the Earth Lords

by Karma Chakme

A brief petition to the earth lords, or spirits of the land (sa bdag), requesting purification for various forms of action that disturb the natural environment.

A Method of Confessing and Pledging through the Four Powers

by Lobzang Chökyi Gyaltsen

A short practice to confess misdeeds and pledge never to repeat them. It incorporates the four powers (stobs bzhi) first introduced in the Caturdharmanirdeśa sūtra: 1) power of support, 2) antidotal power, 3) power of repentance, and 4) power of restraint.

Rays of Moonlight to Dispel the Darkness of Misdeeds

by Lobzang Chökyi Gyaltsen

A simple yet comprehensive practice of confession that incorporates the four powers (stobs bzhi).

Method of Confession Based on the Four Powers

by Ngulchu Dharmabhadra

Based on an earlier text by Paṇchen Lobzang Chökyi Gyaltsen (1570-1662), this is a short practice of confession that incorporates the four powers (stobs bzhi): 1) power of support, 2) antidotal power, 3) power of repentance, and 4) power of restraint.

Eradicating Downfalls by Reciting the Names of the Buddhas: The Swift Path to Complete Awakening in a Single Instant

revealed by Nyala Pema Düdul

This practice of invoking and paying homage to various buddhas is said to be a powerful means of purifying obscurations and accumulating merit, tantamount to reciting the Kangyur in its entirety. It belongs to the Profound Secret Teachings of The Natural Liberation Pervading Space (mkha' khyab rang grol) revelation.

Termas

The Sovereign of Confessions for all Impairments and Breakages, Extracted from the Rampant Elephant Tantra

revealed by Nyala Pema Düdul

Although part of the Space-Pervading Self-Liberation (mkha' khyab rang grol) revelation, this confession is virtually identical to the popular Yeshe Kuchokma liturgy that is taken from the Immaculate Confession Tantra (Dri med bshags rgyud).

Termas

A Prayer to Recognize My Own Faults and Keep in Mind the Objects of Refuge

by Dudjom Rinpoche

As Dudjom Rinpoche himself explains, this is simultaneously a supplication, confession, and aspiration prayer. It involves the invocation of one's gurus, contemplation and confession of one's faults, and aspiration to overcome such flaws and realise the nature of the guru.

Prayers

Confession Series

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