The practice of prostrations is based on the Sutra of the Three Heaps, otherwise referred to as Confession of a Bodhisattva’s Downfalls to the Thirty-Five Buddhas. Lama Zopa Rinpoche has given extensive commentaries on how to do this practice, which have been compiled in The Preliminary Practice of Prostrations. To complete 100,000 prostrations, you can either engage in full-time retreat or do them as a daily practice at home.

Note: This preliminary practice actually entails doing 111,000 prostrations to the Thirty-Five Buddhas. 10%, or 10,000 prostrations, are added to the 100,000 to purify any mistakes made while doing the 100,000 prostrations, and on top of that an additional 1,000 prostrations are done to purify any mistakes made while doing the extra 10,000 prostrations, for a total of 111,000 prostrations.

1. Do a Full-Time Prostration Retreat

If you are planning to do a full-time prostration retreat, it is highly recommended to do it in Bodhgaya, India, the place of the Buddha’s enlightenment. This is, first, because of the power of the place each prostration is said to have seven times the effect, and, secondly, because Bodhgaya is an ideal place for prostration practice. Prostration boards are available, the Bodhgaya Stupa is powerful and inspirational, and the number of fellow practitioners doing prostrations helps keep you going. Contact Root Institute for more information.

Alternatively, you can do a prostration retreat at a retreat center or in your own home. When done full-time, it generally takes 2-3 months to complete the prostrations.

2. Do a Daily Practice of Prostrations

Prostrations can also be done as a daily practice. You can, for example, do a session each morning and evening and in this way do 200-1000 prostrations each day. As it is important to try not to interrupt the practice, it is good to at least recite the Confession of a Bodhisattva’s Downfalls to the Thirty-Five Buddhas every day and do a minimum of three prostrations. However, if an exception happens and you miss a day, you do not need to start counting all over again.

3. Do a Combination of a Daily Practice and Short Retreats

In general do a daily practice of prostrations as described above, but, whenever you can, dedicate some days or weeks to doing more intensive practice in a full-time retreat situation.

If physically you are unable to do prostrations, you can still do the practice by folding your hands in prostration, reciting Confession of a Bodhisattva’s Downfalls to the Thirty-Five Buddhas (the recitation of each of the buddha’s names is counted as one prostration) and at the same time developing regret and visualizing many replicas of yourself prostrating. Lama Zopa Rinpoche has confirmed that in this way you fulfill the requirement of having done prostrations with your body, speech, and mind.

Support Materials

Support materials for this practice available from the Foundation Store include:

• Prostrations to the Thirty-Five Confession Buddhas (FPMT)
• The Preliminary Practice of Prostrations to the Thirty-Five Confession Buddhas (FPMT)

In Conclusion

The special integration experience requirements of Discovering Buddhism were advised by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, FPMT Spiritual Director, for those wishing to get the highest benefit from this program. While the practices may at first seem daunting, the benefits of engaging in them are immeasurable. They are the foundational practices that clear away negative karmas collected from beginningless lifetimes, preparing you for not only a peaceful death and a good future rebirth, but also for the ultimate happinesses of liberation and enlightenment.

If you have further questions or concerns regarding this module or any other aspect of the Discovering Buddhism program, please contact:

Foundational Program Coordinator
FPMT Education Services
fpc@fpmt.org