Taking Refuge Series

Taking Refuge

Until I realize the essence of enlightenment,

I take refuge in the buddhas,

And likewise in the Dharma,

And the assembly of bodhisattvas.

Texts related to the practice of taking refuge (skyabs 'gro):

Commentaries

A Brief Commentary on the Refuge & Bodhichitta Prayer known as Sangyé Chö Tsok Ma

by Ngawang Tenzin Norbu

A simple commentary on the most famous four-line prayer of taking refuge and arousing bodhicitta; it explains the nature of the Buddha, Dharma and Saṅgha as well as relative and absolute bodhicitta.

Bodhicitta Commentary

An Essential Instruction on Refuge and Bodhichitta

by Patrul Rinpoche

Taking a famous four-line prayer as his basis, Patrul Rinpoche explains the practice of taking refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Saṅgha, and arousing bodhicitta, in both its relative and ultimate forms.

Bodhicitta Commentary 26 Sep 2004

Taking Refuge from the Ngöndro Compendium

by Yukhok Chatralwa Chöying Rangdrol

The author explains causal and resultant refuge before describing the process of taking refuge according the Longchen Nyingtik preliminaries.

Longchen Nyingtik Ngöndro Commentary

Explanations

Brief Explanation of Taking Refuge

by Dodrupchen Jigme Tenpe Nyima

A simple presentation of taking refuge that identifies its objects, essence, literal meaning, subdivisions, and benefits.

17 Aug 2022

Practices

Daily Confession (from the Vajrapañjara Tantra)

from the Words of the Buddha

These verses taken from the Vajrapañjara Tantra, which are often recited as part of longer rituals and practices, include lines for taking refuge and generating bodhicitta.

Confession Bodhicitta 28 Mar 2020

The Outer, Inner and Secret Refuge Prayer

by Dudjom Lingpa

A single-verse prayer for taking refuge in the guru as the embodiment of all other sources of refuge, on the outer, inner and secret levels.

27 Apr 2021

The Fourfold 'Manam' Refuge

by Götsangpa Gönpo Dorje

This famous Kagyü prayer of taking refuge consists of four lines, each of which begins with the phrase, "All mother sentient beings as infinite as space..." (ma nam mkha' dang mnyam pa'i sems can thams cad...). This particular version of the prayer is from the oral tradition of Drogön Tsangpa Gyare (1161–1211) as recorded by Götsangpa (1189–1258).

20 Jan 2021

Verses of Refuge and Bodhicitta

by Śākyaśrībhadra

Extracted from Śākyaśrībhadra's Seven Branches for Practising the Sacred Dharma (Saptāṅgasaddharmacaryāvatāra), these verses for taking refuge and generating bodhicitta are often recited independently of their original source.

Bodhicitta 22 Jan 2008

Entranceway for the Faithful: Refuge and Bodhicitta Prayers

by Shabkar Tsokdruk Rangdrol

Three verses for taking refuge, generating bodhicitta and offering hearfelt prayer, composed at Mount Kailash for a student named Lobzang Gelek.

Bodhicitta 24 Feb 2023

The Outer, Inner and Secret Refuge Practice of the Mahāsiddha Tangtong Gyalpo

by Tangtong Gyalpo

This four-line prayer of taking refuge is known as "Mothers, Infinite as Space" (ma nam mkha' ma'i skyabs 'gro). It was first revealed to Ka Ngapa Paljor Sherab (bka' lnga pa dpal 'byor shes rab), in a vision he had of Avalokiteśvara, and then transmitted to Tangtong Gyalpo, for whom it was intended.

Prayers

Refuge Prayer for the Way of Bön from The Golden Needle of Great Perfection

by Dorje Lingpa

A prayer and practice of taking refuge according to the Bön tradition, this text includes elements of the Great Perfection.

Bön 30 Jun 2025

Refuge from Fear: A Prayer Synthesizing the Words of Longchen Rabjam and Śāntideva

by Khenchen Ngawang Palzang

This prayer of invocation and refuge, which is untitled in the original Tibetan, draws upon the writings of both Longchen Rabjam and Śāntideva.

4 Jun 2026

Taking Refuge Series

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