Toh 1160Commentary on “The Praise in the Form of a Confession”
Pāli / Sanskrit:Deśanāstavavṛtti
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Exposition of the Scripture: Commentary on “The Praise in the Form of a Confession”
Context
This work belongs to the Abhidharma Piṭaka (Tengyur) of the Northern Transmitted Tibetan tradition, a collection of treatises that explain and develop the scriptural portion of the Buddhist canon. Being cited as Toh 1160, this work represents the Tibetan Buddhist commentarial tradition, in which the annotation of independent works is an essential method for gaining a deeper understanding of the Buddha’s teachings.
“Praise in the Form of a Confession” (Deśanāstava) is a distinctive type of Buddhist work in the Mahayana tradition, combining two important elements: praise (stava) and confession (deśanā). The compositional context of this type of scripture is often connected with praising the merit of noble beings or Buddhas, while at the same time acknowledging and confessing one’s own faults. This is a mode of practice that joins faith and wisdom, reflecting the view that reverence is not separate from the recognition of truth about oneself.
The Tibetan Abhidharma Piṭaka was compiled under the guidance of advanced Buddhist masters, with the aim of clarifying the intent of the scriptures and supporting monastic scholars on the path to liberation. This material is preserved at the Vatican Library and Tibetan museums, demonstrating its importance.
Main Content
This treatise primarily focuses on explaining how praise can become a powerful method of practice when combined with a mind of confession and aspiration. In the Mahayana tradition, praising the virtues of the Buddha or bodhisattvas is not merely an expression of reverence, but also a way of moving one’s own spiritual life in a positive direction.
The work details how a practitioner should approach praise sincerely. This is not superficial praise, but a deep recognition of the noble qualities one is honoring. At the same time, the element of “confession” (deśanā) guides practitioners to recognize their own mistakes, thereby arousing the resolve to reform.
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