Taking Refuge Series

• 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.

• 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.

• 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).

• 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.

• The Outer, Inner and Secret Refuge Practice of the Mahāsiddha Thangtong Gyalpo 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Three Jewels Series