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The Home of Tibetan Buddhist Texts in Translation
ISSN 2753-4812
ISSN 2753-4812

Taking Refuge Series

Taking Refuge

English (10) | Deutsch (3) | Español (4) | Français (3) | Português (2) | Italiano (1) | བོད་ཡིག (10)

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

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
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 26 Sep 2004

Explanations

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

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
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
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
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
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
by Thangtong 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 Thangtong Gyalpo, for whom it was intended.

Prayers

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

Related Topics

Bodhicitta Ngöndro Three Jewels

Field of Merit

Courtesy of Himalayan Art Resources

Further information:

BDRC T1297 (skyabs ’gro)

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ISSN 2753-4812

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