Discover the Buddhist confession prayer of the Eighty-Eight Buddhas to repent daily mistakes. Recite it and share your confession on Confession Canvas.
At Confession Canvas, we believe confessing mistakes fosters healing and growth. For Buddhists, the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Great Repentance is a profound daily practice to purify past wrongs. Below is a complete English translation, inspired by the traditional text, including the core verse: “All the evil karma I have created in the past, arising from beginningless greed, anger, and ignorance, born of body, speech, and mind, I now fully repent.” This prayer is ideal for daily recitation to seek forgiveness and renewal.
The Eighty-Eight Buddhas Confession Prayer
With great compassion for all beings, boundless joy, and radiant purity, I wholeheartedly take refuge and bow.
I take refuge in all Buddhas, Dharma, and Sangha across the ten directions and boundless realms.
I honor the Tathagata, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened, Endowed with Wisdom and Virtue, Well-Gone, Knower of the World, Unsurpassed Guide, Tamer of Beings, Teacher of Gods and Humans, Buddha, World-Honored One.
I bow to:
Pure Light Buddha, Pure Radiance Buddha, Pure Clarity Buddha, Sandalwood Fragrance Buddha, Sandalwood Light Buddha,
Jewel Banner Buddha, Joyful Treasury Jewel Buddha, Great Effort Supreme Sight Buddha, Jewel Banner Lamp Buddha,
Wisdom Torch Buddha, Ocean Virtue Light Buddha, Diamond Firm Golden Light Buddha, Great Courage Buddha,
Great Compassion Light Buddha, Compassionate Power King Buddha, Compassion Treasury Buddha, Sandalwood Cave Victorious Buddha, Virtuous Leader Buddha,
Good Intention Buddha, Vast Adornment King Buddha, Golden Flower Light Buddha, Jeweled Canopy Free King Buddha,
Void Treasure Flower Buddha, Lapis Lazuli King Buddha, Universal Form Light Buddha, Unmoving Wisdom Buddha,
Subduer of Demons Buddha, Talent Light Buddha, Wisdom Victor Buddha, Maitreya Immortal Light Buddha,
Silent Moon Wisdom King Buddha, World Pure Light Buddha, Dragon Dignity King Buddha, Sun-Moon Light Buddha,
Sun-Moon Pearl Buddha, Wisdom Banner King Buddha, Lion’s Roar Free King Buddha, Wondrous Sound Victor Buddha, Constant Light Banner Buddha,
World Observing Lamp Buddha, Wisdom Might Lamp King Buddha, Dharma Victor King Buddha, Sumeru Light Buddha, Jasmine Flower Light Buddha,
Superior Lotus King Buddha, Great Wisdom Power King Buddha, Aksobhya Joyful Light Buddha, Boundless Voice King Buddha,
Talent Radiance Buddha, Golden Ocean Light Buddha, Mountain-Sea Wisdom Free King Buddha, Great Penetrating Light Buddha,
All Dharmas Fulfilled King Buddha, Shakyamuni Buddha, Indestructible Diamond Buddha,
Jewel Light Buddha, Dragon King Buddha, Diligent Army Buddha, Diligent Joy Buddha, Jewel Fire Buddha,
Jewel Moon Light Buddha, No Delusion Buddha, Jewel Moon Buddha, Stainless Buddha, Free of Defilement Buddha,
Courageous Giving Buddha, Pure Buddha, Pure Giving Buddha, Sarana Buddha, Water Heaven Buddha,
Steadfast Virtue Buddha, Sandalwood Merit Buddha, Boundless Light Buddha, Radiant Virtue Buddha, Sorrowless Virtue Buddha,
Narayana Buddha, Merit Flower Buddha, Lotus Light Divine Power Buddha, Wealth Merit Buddha, Virtue Mindfulness Buddha,
Good Name Merit Buddha, Red Flame Emperor Banner Buddha, Virtuous Steps Merit Buddha, Victorious Battle Buddha,
Virtuous Steps Buddha, All-Adorned Merit Buddha, Jewel Lotus Steps Buddha, Lotus Dwelling Tree King Buddha,
Dharma Realm Treasury Amitabha Buddha.
These Buddhas, ever-present, compassionately guide me. For all sins committed in this life or past lives, from beginningless time—whether done by me, caused by me, or rejoiced in; whether against temples, monks, or sacred objects; whether five heinous crimes or ten unwholesome acts; whether hidden or open, leading to hell, ghostly realms, or other evil destinies—I now fully repent.
I confess before these Buddhas: For any good deeds—giving, upholding precepts, or even offering food to animals—I dedicate all merits to supreme enlightenment, as past, present, and future Buddhas have done. I repent all sins, rejoice in all virtues, request the Buddhas’ merits, and aspire to supreme wisdom.
In all worlds, I bow to all Buddhas with pure body, speech, and mind, empowered by Samantabhadra’s vows. In every particle, countless Buddhas reside, and I offer them flowers, music, incense, and lamps. With deep faith, I make offerings and repent my sins, born of greed, anger, and ignorance. I rejoice in all beings’ merits, request the Buddhas to turn the Dharma wheel, remain in the world, and guide all to enlightenment.
May these merits be dedicated to the true Dharma, liberating all beings from suffering and leading them to awakening.
I take refuge in Samantabhadra Bodhisattva (recite three times).
How to Use This Prayer
- Reflect: At day’s end, consider mistakes, like speaking harshly, as Anna did: “I judged a friend today.”
- Recite: Chant or read the prayer, focusing on repentance for actions rooted in greed, anger, or ignorance.
- Share: Post your confession on Confession Canvas’s submission page. Anna’s post, “I’m sorry for judging my friend,” inspired others.
- Vow: Commit to change, aligning with the prayer’s dedication to enlightenment.
Merits and Benefits of the Eighty-Eight Buddhas Repentance
Sincerely reciting or bowing to the Eighty-Eight Buddhas is a supremely effective, simple, and widely practiced method. It brings profound spiritual responses, such as auspicious signs and a sense of physical and mental ease, proving its power to eliminate sins and obstacles. Ancient masters included this practice in daily morning and evening recitations due to its efficacy in advancing spiritual progress.
The Fifty-Three Buddhas
The first fifty-three Buddhas, from Pure Light Buddha to All Dharmas Fulfilled King Buddha, are listed in the Sutra on Contemplating the Medicine King and Medicine Superior Bodhisattvas. The sutra states: “If virtuous men, women, or any beings hear the names of these fifty-three Buddhas, they will not fall into evil realms for countless eons. Those who recite their names will always encounter Buddhas of the ten directions in every lifetime. Those who sincerely pay homage to these Buddhas will purify grave sins, including the four heavy offenses, five heinous crimes, and slandering the Dharma, due to the Buddhas’ original vows.” Past Buddhas like Shikhin and Visvabhu praised these names, affirming that hearing, reciting, or bowing to them eradicates obstacles.
Shakyamuni Buddha shared a personal testimony: “In countless eons past, during the final Dharma age of Wondrous Light Buddha, I became a monk and heard these fifty-three Buddha names. Overjoyed, I shared them with others, reaching three thousand people who recited them together. Through this merit, we transcended countless eons of rebirth sins.” These included the thousand Buddhas of the Adornment Kalpa (led by Flower Light Buddha), the thousand Buddhas of the Worthy Kalpa (led by Krakucchanda), and future Buddhas of the Starry Kalpa (led by Sunlight Buddha). Current Buddhas, like Virtue Buddha, also attained enlightenment by venerating these names.
The Thirty-Five Buddhas
The next thirty-five Buddhas, from Shakyamuni Buddha to Jewel Lotus Dwelling Tree King Buddha, are from the Sutra on Determining Vinaya. It states: “If a Bodhisattva commits the five heinous crimes, harms others, or defiles sacred objects, they should sincerely repent before these thirty-five Buddhas, day and night.” The Sutra of Treasure Accumulation adds: “For beings burdened with grave sins, unrepentable for eons, bowing to these thirty-five Buddhas purifies all obstacles.” Thus, venerating the Eighty-Eight Buddhas holds inconceivable merit, capable of erasing even the heaviest sins.
Why It Matters
Reciting or bowing to the Eighty-Eight Buddhas, especially before their images, is the most effective and accessible way to purify karma. Practitioners often experience signs like inner peace, confirming the removal of obstacles. As Dr. Emily Chen, a psychologist, notes, “Daily repentance fosters clarity and empathy, deepening personal growth.” This practice, part of daily recitations, supports spiritual advancement for all.
Share Your Confession
Inspired by the Eighty-Eight Buddhas? Recite their names, reflect on your mistakes, and share your confession anonymously on Confession Canvas’s submission page. Your truth could inspire others.