The 35 Buddhas Confession Practice. ལྟུང་བཤགས་ཀྱི་བཀའ་ཁྲིད་བཞུགས་སོ། part 1

Thirty-Five Buddhas Confession Downfalls Practice: An Experiential Teaching by Venerable The Great Mahasiddha Geshe Lama Konchog.
Part 1
The practice of prostration to the 35 Buddhas in Mahayana Buddhism is known as the "Confession of Downfalls." It is a method of purification in which practitioners confess their misdeeds and generate remorse, committing to avoid repeating such actions in the future. This practice is often part of a larger sadhana or meditation practice and is intended to purify negative karma.
Here is a general outline of how the practice is performed:
1. **Preparation**: Practitioners begin by setting up a clean space, often with a representation of the 35 Buddhas, such as a thangka (a Tibetan Buddhist painting) or statues. They might also set up offerings, such as candles, incense, or flowers.
2. **Refuge and Bodhicitta**: Practitioners take refuge in the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha) and generate the mind of bodhicitta, the aspiration to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings.
3. **Prostrations and Recitation**:
- Practitioners recite the names of the 35 Buddhas while performing prostrations. A full prostration involves touching the forehead, palms, knees, and feet to the ground, symbolizing the surrender of pride and the cultivation of humility.
- The names of the 35 Buddhas are recited in a specific order. Each name is associated with a particular aspect of purification.
4. **Confession and Remorse**: As part of the recitation, practitioners confess their downfalls, acknowledging past negative actions, expressing regret, and resolving not to repeat them.
5. **Dedication**: After completing the recitations and prostrations, practitioners dedicate the merit generated by the practice to the benefit of all sentient beings, wishing for their liberation and enlightenment.
Names of the 35 Buddhas
Here is a list of the 35 Buddhas typically included in this practice:
1. Shakyamuni Buddha
2. Jewel Radiating Light Buddha
3. King of Melodious Sound Buddha
4. Jeweled Banner Buddha
5. King of Being Proclaimed Clearly Buddha
6. Pure One Buddha
7. Manifesting Pure Joy Buddha
8. Water Deity Buddha
9. Deity of the Water God Buddha
10. Glorious Flowers Buddha
11. Clearly Knowing One Buddha
12. Radiance of Understanding Buddha
13. Glorious Renowned One Buddha
14. Renowned Glorious One Buddha
15. King of Mindfulness Buddha
16. King of Light Buddha
17. Glorious One Renowned Buddha
18. Jewel Fire Buddha
19. King of Glorious Banners Buddha
20. Radiance of the Moon Buddha
21. Glorious One Renowned for Purity Buddha
22. King of the Mantra Buddha
23. Glorious One Renowned for Understanding Buddha
24. Jewel Moonlight Buddha
25. Pure One Renowned for Virtue Buddha
26. Glorious One Renowned for Light Buddha
27. King of Clear Light Buddha
28. Glorious One Renowned for Renunciation Buddha
29. King of Pure Light Buddha
30. Renowned One for the Sun Buddha
31. King of Renowned Speech Buddha
32. Renowned One for the Path Buddha
33. Glorious One Renowned for Renunciation Buddha
34. King of Light Buddha
35. Glorious One Renowned for Manifesting Joy Buddha
Conclusion
The Confession of Downfalls prostration to the 35 Buddhas is a powerful practice in Mahayana Buddhism that helps to purify negative karma, cultivate humility, and generate positive energy. It is often done with great devotion and sincerity, leading to a deep sense of purification and spiritual renewal.