Did the Buddha advise lay people to make such confessions? Of course, it is a requirement for monks, and I know of the Ambalatthika-rahulovada Sutta where he advises Rahula:
https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitak ... .than.htmlIf, on reflection, you know that it led to self-affliction, to the affliction of others, or to both; it was an unskillful bodily action with painful consequences, painful results, then you should confess it, reveal it, lay it open to the Teacher or to a knowledgeable companion in the holy life. Having confessed it... you should exercise restraint in the future.
If I have read it correctly, the advice is for bodily and verbal actions only, and I don't know whether Rahula was a monk by then or not.
I seem to recall lay confession being recommended, but can't find any article with this in. Is lay confession practiced in any particular tradition? And would anyone like to share any information or even opinions on why confession should be so valuable? If it is the truthfulness regarding the amended action that is important, is it not enough to be truthful to oneself? Is it efficacious, and what makes it so? I'm familiar with confession in the Anglican Christian tradition, and also find that impressive and quite moving.