The 35 Confession Buddhas: Powerful Purification Practice in Vajrayana Buddhism
Our life is full of questions, doubts, and challenges, but what if there were timeless truths that could help guide us through it all? The 35 Confession Buddhas offer profound and simple lessons, waiting for us to truly listen.
Through these teachings, Buddha shares reflection that points us toward living with greater peace, clarity, and grace. The 35 Buddhas who encourage self-awareness and inner transformation. Are you ready to shift your perspective and reconnect with a deeper sense of peace? Let’s dive in.
Who Are the 35 Confession Buddhas?
The 35 Confession Buddhas, also known as the 35 Buddhas of Confession, are a sacred assembly of Buddhas named in a Mahayana sutra for the purpose of confessing negative actions and purifying karmic obscurations. They are fully realized Buddhas who manifest from the Dharmakaya (truth body).
They are invoked through prostration, recitation of their names, and sincere confession, serving as witnesses and support for ethical restoration. These Buddhas collectively embody the complete power of purification, addressing karmic faults accumulated through body, speech, and mind.
Role in Purifying Negative Karma, Restoring Vows, and Ethical Discipline
The main purpose of the 35 Confessional Buddhas practice is to purify negative karma and restore ethical balance. Each Buddha targets specific negativities, such as killing an Arhat or slandering the Sangha.
Through this practice, practitioners are able to:
- Purify past non-virtuous actions and reduce their karmic effects
- Repair broken vows, including pratimoksha, bodhisattva, and tantric commitments
- Restore ethical clarity (sila), lading to greater mindfulness and integrity
This purification works through the Four Powers of Purification:
- Reliance: Taking refuge in the Buddhas and trusting in their guidance
- Regret: Feeling sincere remorse for harmful actions without guilt or self-blame
- Resolve: Making a clear intention not to repeat those actions
- Remedial action: Engaging in positive practices such as prostrations and virtuous deeds
The 35 Buddhas embody unconditional compassion and wisdom, reminding practitioners that true purification is always possible.
Explore this beautiful 35 Confession Buddha Thangka
Importance in Mahayana and Vajrayana Confession Practice
In Mahayana Buddhism, this practice is especially important for maintaining Bodhisattva vows. These vows can be weakened not just by actions but also by subtle mental states like anger, pride, or a lack of compassion. Regular confession helps restore these vows and renews our motivation to act for the benefit of others.
In Vajrayana Buddhism, confession is a key method for purification. It is often practiced before or alongside advanced tantric practices, helping to maintain ethical conduct and strengthen sincerity, both of which are essential for deeper spiritual progress.
The Three Heaps (Triskandha Sutra)
The Three Heaps Sutra is the scriptural foundation for the 35 Confession Buddhas practice and remains central to Mahayana and Vajrayana confession rituals. The term “heap” (skandha) refers to three accumulations of mental activity and intention that together bring about genuine purification.
First Heap: Heap of Homage and Prostration
The Heap of Homage involves paying respect to all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, starting with the 35 Confession Buddhas, with Shakyamuni Buddha at the center, to honor enlightened beings.
This establishes a sacred context by invoking Buddhas as witnesses, creates a field of merit for purification, and applies the first of the four opponent powers: reliance on the Three Jewels, or enlightened beings, for support in confession.
Traditional Components: The practice typically features:
- Begin by taking refuge in the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha) and generate the Bodhicitta, the wish to benefit all beings.
- Visualize the 35 Buddhas arranged in space.
- Recite each Buddha’s name while making prostrations.
- Acknowledge their enlightened qualities, such as compassion, wisdom, and power.
Textual example for the practice:
“I take refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha until I reach full enlightenment. May the positive energy I create through practicing generosity and the other perfections help me attain Buddhahood for the benefit of all beings. Homage to the Teacher, Shakyamuni Buddha. Homage to the Tathagata, Vajrasattva….”
Second Heap: Heap of Confession
The Heap of Confession forms the core of the practice, invoking detailed acknowledgement of negative actions through recitation, not as seeking absolution but as exposing karmic imprints to awareness for purification. It applies the four opponent powers—reliance (visualized Buddhas), regret (remorse), resolve (commitment to avoid repetition), and remedy (the confession itself)—to counteract negativity.
Structural Components: Confession covers
- Actions through the three doors (body, speech, mind)
- Five heinous crimes
- Ten non-virtues (killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, divisive/harsh/idle speech, covetousness, ill will, and wrong views)
- Violation of Pratimoksha, Bodhisattva and Tantric vows
Practitioners confess personal misdeeds, those caused in others, those rejoiced in, and the collective karma of all beings, embodying Bodhicitta. Structured confession reduces mental burden by fostering coherence between actions and values, aiding self-forgiveness.
Textual example for the practice:
“All the negative actions, obstacles, and downfalls that I and all other beings have created under the influence of disturbing emotions, I confess in the presence of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. They are full of wisdom and compassion, see everything, and are present everywhere.”
Third Heap: Heap of Rejoice
The Heap of Rejoice completes the practice by shifting from negativity to virtue through anumodana, taking delight in the merits and enlightenments of all beings, countering envy and discouragement while cultivating sympathetic joy (mudita).
Threefold Rejoicing: Traditional elements include
- Rejoicing in others’ virtues, achievements, and enlightenment without jealousy
- Acknowledging one’s own positive actions humbly, without pride
- Recognizing the interdependent, shared nature of all virtue
Rejoicing strengthens focus on positive qualities, counters patterns of envy or self-discounting, builds mudita as one of the four immeasurables, and generates inspirational momentum. The heap ends with dedicating merit to all beings' enlightenment, often universally, for specific aims like healing, and with insight into emptiness to prevent egoic accumulation.
Textual example for the practice:
“I rejoice in all the roots of virtue accumulated by myself and all beings. I rejoice in the merit of all the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Hearers, Solitary Realizers, and ordinary beings. Just as the Buddhas of the past dedicated their merit, and as the Buddhas of the future will dedicate theirs, and as the Buddhas of the present are dedicating theirs, I too dedicate all these roots of virtue for the supreme enlightenment of all beings.”
Together, the three heaps form a complete cycle of transformation.
- Homage creates positive karma through devotion
- Confession neutralizes negative karma through antidotes
- Rejoicing multiples positive karma through sympathetic resonance
The 35 Confession Buddhas
The following are the 35 Buddhas in their traditional order as represented in the sutra. Each Buddha represents a unique aspect of enlightened purification.
Shop this authentic thirty-five Confessional Buddha Thangka
-
Shakyamuni Buddha: The historical Buddha who taught the Dharma for the benefit of all beings. His practice purifies all negative karma accumulated over 10,000 eons.
-
Vajra-Pramardi-Raja: A blue Buddha holding a vajra, he subdues and purifies afflictions and negative actions accumulated over 10,000 eons.
-
Ratna-Arci: The Jewel of Radiant Light, he dispels ignorance and purifies negative karma accumulated over 25,000 eons.
-
Nagaesvara-Raja: The King of Nagas, he cools attachment and grasping, purifying negative tendencies of desire and greed.
-
Virasena: The Heroic Sage, he purifies karma of speech, including lying, harsh words, and slander.
-
Viranandi: The Glorious Protector, he purifies negative karmas of the mind, including unwholesome thoughts and intentions.
-
Ratna-Agni: The Jewel Fire Buddha, he purifies schism and division within the Sangha and internal conflicts.
-
Ratna-Candra-Prabha: Associated with moonlight, he purifies one eon of accumulated karma and mental obscurations.
-
Amogha-Darsi: The Infallible Seer, he purifies negative karma of criticizing holy objects or spiritual teachers.
-
Ratna-Candra: The Jewel Moon Buddha, he purifies extremely heavy karma, including killing one’s mother.
-
Vimala: The Stainless One, he purifies killing one’s father and other extreme karmic actions.
-
Suradatta: The Well-Given One, he purifies by killing an Arhat, helping to remove very negative karmic imprints.
-
Brahma: The Celestial Brahma Buddha, he purifies the wounded Buddha and restores respect for enlightened beings.
-
Brahma-Datta: He purifies karma accumulated over 10,000 eons, removing long-standing obstacles.
-
Varuna: He purifies sexual misconduct with a female Arya, helping to remove serious moral transgressions.
-
Varuna-Deva: He purifies, killing a Bodhisattva with certainty, one of the gravest offenses in Dharma.
-
Sribhadra: The Sacred Victor, he purifies by killing a spiritual master or restores respect for Dharma teachers.
-
Candana-Sri: He purifies stealing or misusing Sangha property, promoting honesty and integrity.
-
Ananta-Tejas: The infinite radiance, he purifies, destroying holy stupas or sacred objects.
-
Prabhasa-Sri: He purifies actions driven by hatred, helping transform anger into compassion
-
Asoka-Sri: He purifies attachment and craving, reducing desire for worldly pleasures.
-
Narayana: He purifies 10,000 eons of craving and desire, removing long-term karmic imprints.
-
Kusuma-Sri: He purifies 100,000 eons of accumulated negativities, helping clear deep-rooted karmic obstacles.
-
Brahma-Jyoti: The Radiant Brahma, he purifies 1,000 eons of obscurations, aiding clarity and wisdom.
-
Padma-Jyoti: The Lotus Light Buddha, he purifies seven eons of karma, restoring spiritual merit.
-
Dhana-Sri: He purifies bad habits and repeated negativities, promoting virtuous conduct.
-
Smrti-Sri: The mindful one, he purifies body karma obscurations and physical misdeeds.
-
Supari-Kirtita-Naga: He purifies displeasing or disrespecting the Buddhas, supporting devotion and reverence.
-
Indra-Ketu-Dhvaja: He purifies jealousy and envy, helping cultivate contentment and compassion.
-
Suvikranta-Gamana: He purifies by intentionally ordering negative actions or harming others.
-
Yuddha-Jaya: He purifies pride and arrogance, transforming ego-based behaviors.
-
Vikranta-Gamana: He purifies slander of the Sangha, helping restore respect for the spiritual community.
-
Samantavabhasa-Raja: He purifies others' evil deeds, cultivating compassion instead.
-
Ratna-Padma-Supratisthita: He purifies by abandoning the Dharma, helping strengthen faith and spiritual practice.
- Ratna‑Padma‑Supratisthita‑Raja: He purifies by breaking precepts and vows, restoring ethical discipline and moral conduct.
The Central Role of Shakyamuni Buddha
Shakyamuni Buddha is at the heart of the 35 Confession Buddhas. He is the historical Buddha and is central because:
- He taught the Three Heaps of Sutra
- He represents ethical discipline, renunciation, and awakening
- He serves as the direct guide for confession practice in this world age.
In thangka representations, Shakyamuni Buddha is usually depicted at the center, with the remaining 34 Buddhas arranged symmetrically around him.
A 35 Confession Buddha's thangka serves as powerful visual support for confession and prostration practice. It also helps practitioners maintain consistency, reverence, and clarity during purification practice.
The 35 Confession Buddhas embody the Buddhist understanding that purification arises from honesty, compassion, and resolve. Through sincere confession and reliance on enlightened wisdom, practitioners clear karmic obscurations and strengthen the foundation for liberation.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the teachings behind the 35 Confession Buddhas?
The 35 Confession Buddhas represent a core practice in Mahayana Buddhism focused on purification, repentance, and spiritual renewal. Devotees recite mantras and perform prostrations before these Buddhas to confess past mistakes, cleanse negative karma, and cultivate wisdom and compassion. This practice encourages mindfulness, self-reflection, and moral integrity, helping practitioners move toward enlightenment.
2. Can I buy wall art featuring the 25 Confession Buddhas from online stores?
Yes, you can find 35 Confession Buddhas art in online stores that specialize in Buddhist or spiritual decor. These artworks include paintings, posters, and digital prints, often depicting each Buddha with traditional iconography. For authentic hand-painted thangkas of the 35 Confession Buddhas, carefully crafted to preserve traditional details, you can explore Buddha’s Art of Healing, perfect for meditation rooms, home altars, or spiritual practice.
3. Which sutra contains the 35 Confession Buddhas?
The 35 Confession Buddhas are found in the Sutra of the Three Heaps, taught by Shakyamuni Buddha. It outlines a purification practice with three steps: homage (prostrations to the Buddhas), confession of downfalls, and rejoicing or dedication. Popular in Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism, this rite used recitation and visualization to purify negative karma and serious offenses.
4. What are the 35 Confession Buddhas?
The 35 Confession Buddhas are a group of Buddhas worshipped in Mahayana Buddhism for purification. Each Buddha has a unique name, mantra, and symbolic representation, and they are collectively invoked during confession practices. Devotees believe that reciting their names and mantras helps cleanse negative karma, reduce suffering, and accelerate progress on the path to enlightenment.
