A Modern Take on this ancient prayer (八十八佛忏悔文)

This isn’t your typical, tranquil chanting session. Forget the peaceful, soft-spoken approach to the 88 Buddhas Repentance—this is a “modernized” rendition designed as a rallying cry for change. It is a fierce declaration of commitment to self-improvement and a desperate, raw plea to the Buddhas for guidance.

The lyrics were adapted from the traditional Chinese Repentance prayer (八十八佛忏悔文), with a little help from AI (ChatGPT and Gemini) to bridge the ancient and the modern.

How to use this track? In the gym, of course. Honestly, I’m tired of the endless rotation of songs about love, romance, and ego-driven drama. This track helps me stay grounded while I push through my training. It’s the perfect reminder that spiritual practice doesn’t have to stay on the meditation cushion—it can happen while you’re crushing a PR.

On a serious note: whenever life feels overwhelming, or you find yourself losing your sense of direction, these tracks are here for you. Whether you need a push to break free from cravings, bad habits, or the delusions that hold you back, use this music as a tool for reflection. As you listen, channel that energy into your own process of change—recollect these noble efforts and find the strength to improve yourself, one step at a time.

Note: This is strictly for the lay community. If you’re a monk or nun, you should probably be doing something more noble than listening to my gym playlist.

TRACK 1 – 53 Buddhas

[SECTION A – Setting the correct mental positioning]
[Recalling the Four Immeasurables for centering our minds and mental preparation]
Mahā-Maitrī, Mahā-Karuṇā,
Mercy for the world;
Mahā-Muditā, Mahā-Upekṣā,
Shelter for all beings.
In the radiance of Your boundless light,
We stand before You in reverence.
In Your light and holy beauty,
We confess and seek refuge;
With our hearts laid bare,
We bow before You.

• Mahā-Maitrī: Great Loving Kindness,
• Mahā-Karuṇā: Great Compassion
• Maha-Mudita: Great Rejoicing
• Maha-Upeksa: Great Equanimity

[SECTION B – Refuge Prayer]

Namo śaraṇaṃ gacchāmi daśa-diśi sarvākāśadhātu-paryante sarvebhyo buddhābhyaḥ।
Namo śaraṇaṃ gacchāmi daśa-diśi sarvākāśadhātu-paryante sarvebhyo saddharmebhyaḥ।
Namo śaraṇaṃ gacchāmi daśa-diśi sarvākāśadhātu-paryante sarvebhyo āryasaṅghebhyaḥ।

[Refuge and recalling the 10 honorifics of Buddha – Establishes right faith, right understanding]

Namo tathāgatāya arhate samyaksaṃbuddhāya vidyācaraṇasaṃpannāya sugatāya lokavidē anuttarāya puruṣadamyasārathaye śāstā devānāṃ ca manuṣyāṇāṃ ca buddhāya bhagavate।

[SECTION C – Invoking the 53 Buddhas]

Namo Samantaprabhāya Buddhāya
Namo Samantaprabhāsāya Buddhāya
Namo Samantavimalāya Buddhāya
Namo Tamālapattra-candanagandhāya Buddhāya
Namo Candanaprabhāya Buddhāya
Namo Maṇidhvajāya Buddhāya
Namo Pramuditagarbha-maṇikūṭāya Buddhāya
Namo Sarvalokapriyadarśana-mahāvīryāya Buddhāya
Namo Maṇidhvaja-dīpābhāya Buddhāya
Namo Prajñājvalitāya Buddhāya
Namo Samudraguṇa-prabhāsāya Buddhāya
Namo Vajradṛḍha-suvarṇābhāya Buddhāya
Namo Mahāvīryavikramāya Buddhāya
Namo Mahākāruṇābhāya Buddhāya
Namo Maitrībalarājāya Buddhāya
Namo Maitrīgarbhāya Buddhāya
Namo Candanaguhā-vyūhavijayāya Buddhāya
Namo Bhadrapramukhāya Buddhāya
Namo Sunamatibhadrāya Buddhāya
Namo Mahāvyūharājāya Buddhāya
Namo Suvarṇapuṣpābhāya Buddhāya
Namo Ratnachatra-śūnyatāvaśitārājāya Buddhāya
Namo Ākāśaratnapuṣpābhāya Buddhāya
Namo Vaiḍūryavyūharājāya Buddhāya
Namo Sarvanirmita-rūpakāyābhāya Buddhāya
Namo Acalaprajñābhāya Buddhāya
Namo Sarvamāravijayitrājāya Buddhāya
Namo Pratibhānaprabhāsāya Buddhāya
Namo Prajñāvijayāya Buddhāya
Namo Maitreyarṣiprabhāya Buddhāya
Namo Praśāntacandra-svara-jñānarājāya Buddhāya
Namo Lokapavitrābhāya Buddhāya
Namo Nāgavaṃśādhīrājāya Buddhāya
Namo Sūryacandrābhāya Buddhāya
Namo Sūryacandra-maṇibhāya Buddhāya
Namo Prajñādhvaja-jayarājāya Buddhāya
Namo Siṃhanāda-vaśitābalarājāya Buddhāya
Namo Mañjughoṣavijayāya Buddhāya
Namo Nityaprabhadhvajāya Buddhāya
Namo Lokāvalokadīpāya Buddhāya
Namo Prajñātejodīparājāya Buddhāya
Namo Dharmajayarājāya Buddhāya
Namo Sumerubhāya Buddhāya
Namo Sumanābhāya Buddhāya
Namo Udumbara-vijayarājāya Buddhāya
Namo Mahāprajñābalarājāya Buddhāya
Namo Akṣobhya-pramuditābhāya Buddhāya
Namo Amitasvararājāya Buddhāya
Namo Pratibhānābhāya Buddhāya
Namo Suvarṇasāgarābhāya Buddhāya
Namo Parvatasāgara-prajñābhijñarājāya Buddhāya
Namo Mahābhijñāprabhāya Buddhāya
Namo Sarvadharma-nityapūrṇarājāya Buddhāya

Track 2 – 35 Buddhas

Continuing the invocation of Buddha to complete the 88 Buddhas and the last name is a closing salutation to Amitabha Buddha.

Track 3 – Repentance Prayers

Again, do not expect the traditional hymns kind of song. The traditional Chinese are converted into an English Rap backed by shamanic beats.

In every world,
In every age,
The Blessed Buddhas
Still remain.

O Bhagavans,
Remember me;
Turn Your compassion,
towards me.

From this life,
From lives before,
Through saṃsāra,
Evermore—

Every wrong
That I have done,
Done myself,
Or urged on someone;

Done by others,
Yet approved,
Smiled upon,
Or gladly viewed.

What was taken
From stūpa or shrine,
From the Saṅgha,
Not mine but made mine;

Taken by hand,
Taken through another,
Or praised in the deeds
Of sister and brother.

The darkest deeds,
The harmful ways,
The ten unwholesome,
Clouded days;

Done ourselves,
Or urged along,
Or celebrated
As not wrong.

All these deeds,
These karmic chains,
Hidden faults
And open stains;

Leading downward—
Hells of fire,
Pretas burning
With desire,

Animal births,
And realms of pain—
All these faults
I now proclaim.

Before the Buddhas
I repent.
With all my heart,
I now relent.

O Bhagavans,
Bear witness here;
Hold me now
In mindful care.

Before all Buddhas
I declare:

Whatever gifts
That I have shared,
Whatever precepts
I have kept,

Even one crumb
Given in kindness,
Even one act
Of wakeful mindfulness;

Every good deed,
Every pure vow,
Every step
Upon the path;

Every seed
Of wisdom sown—
Gather them all,
Make them one.

All these roots
Of goodness and light,
I dedicate
This very night

To Anuttara
Samyaksaṃbodhi—
Perfect Awakening,
Great and holy.

As the Buddhas
Of the three times
Dedicate merit
Beyond all measure,

So do I
With all my heart,
Offering all,
Holding nothing apart.

All my wrongs
I now confess.
In every virtue
I rejoice.

I praise the Buddhas,
Boundless in grace,
And seek the wisdom
Beyond all trace.

To the Buddhas
Of past and future,
Present also,
Guides and teachers;

Highest among
All living beings,
Ocean of merit
Without ceiling—

In refuge,
In reverence,
I bow.

May every merit,
Great or small,
Lead all beings
To Awakening.

Lead all beings
To Awakening.
Lead all beings
To Awakening.

Hope you enjoy all the 3 tracks.

May all be well and happy.