Confession Series

• Daily Confession (from the Vajrapañjara Tantra) from the Words of the Buddha

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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).

• 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.

• 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.

• 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).

• 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.

• 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).

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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).

• 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.

• Bodhisattva Vow Series

• Fulfilment Series

• Samaya Series

• Seven Branches Series

• Sojong Series

• Thirty-Five Buddhas Series

• Vajrasattva Series