Preliminary Practice of Prostrations to the Thirty-Five Confession Buddhas

Prostrations to the thirty-five confession Buddhas with recitation of the Bodhisattva’s Confession of Moral Downfalls is one of the most powerful methods available to purify harmful actions we have done in the past. By doing this practise mindfully, we prevent unwanted suffering from occurring in the future. In addition, this practice clears away obstacles to our practice and opens the mind to gain realisations on the path. It is said that if you do this practise first thing each morning, all your other prayers and activities of the day will be empowered.

“There are many stories of the lam-rim lineage lamas doing many prostrations to the thirty-five Confession Buddhas. Lama Tsongkhapa did many hundreds of thousands of prostrations to the thirty-five Confession Buddhas and Atisha was still doing prostrations to the thirty-five Buddhas when he was showing the aspect of being very old and shaky. Reciting the names of any of the thirty-five Confession Buddhas can purify not simply negative, but many thousands of aeons of negative karma. Therefore, losing even an enormous amount of wealth is nothing compared to the loss of missing even one chance to practice confession with prostrations to the thirty-five Confession Buddhas. This is such an easy way to purify and collect extensive merit.”

–       Lama Zopa Rinpoche