Table of Contents
Taking Refuge (Tib. སྐྱབས་འགྲོ་, Wyl. skyabs 'gro) is the foundation of, and entrance to, all buddhist practice. It is the basis of all vows and it marks the distinction between buddhist and non-buddhist. Khenpo Ngakchung defines taking refuge as “a commitment or resolution made to seek the protection of a special object through fear of one's own and others' suffering in samsara.”
The Cause of Refuge
The cause of refuge is faith, and specifically irreversible faith.
The Essence of Refuge
The essence of taking refuge is, to accept the Three Jewels—i.e. Buddha, Dharma and Sangha—as your refuge, and make a decisive commitment to them, in order to be free from the fear of your own and others’ suffering in samsara. You accept the Buddha as your guide, Dharma as your path and Sangha as your companions.
Abbreviated Six Session Guru Yoga: 3x
“From my Gurus and the Three Precious Gems, I take safe direction —-
Mig Mé Tsé Wai Ter Chen Chen Rézig, Dri Mé Khyen Pai Wang Po Jam Pel Yang, Du Pung Ma Lu Jom Dzé Sang Wai Dag, Gang Chen Khé Pai Tsug Gyen Tsong KhaPa, Losang Drag Pai Zhab La Sol Wa Deb;
Aryavalokiteshvara, Great Treasure of Objectless Compassion; Manjushri, Master of Stainless Wisdom; Vajrapani, Destroyer of the entire host of maras; Tsong Khapa, Crown Jewel of the Sages of the Land of Snow; To Losang Dragpa (Tsong Khapa) I make requests, please grant me the two attainments of Merit-Virtue and Wisdom-No-Self
Extremely Abbreviated Six Session Guru Yoga: 3x
“From my Gurus and the Three Precious Gems, I take safe direction
From my Gurus and the Three Precious Gems, I take safe direction —- (Eternal Refuge – Om Namo & Om-Ah-Hum to Root Gurus Most Holy Guru Namo Arya Guru ShiFu ShenKai-ShengRenShi-Rahula-Shantideva-Huineng as Vajradhara-Akshobya-BhaisajyaGuru-Vishnu-Narayana-Krishna-Dhanvantari Om-Ah-Hum, Da Xin Fa Shr, Da Xin De Ben Shr (Lama Zopa Rinpoche: “You are his Attainment”) Vajra Guru Anitya Dharma-Pala Kaliyana-Mitra Di-Zang Wang-Pusa Radha Ajahn-Mun Hsu-Yun Hakuin-Ekaku Nama Mantra: Om Ah Guru Vajra Dhara DeBen Shila-Kshanti Sarva Siddhi Hum2 Bowman Unrein, Rinpoches Om-Ah-Hum: Dagri Rinpoche, Choden Rinpoche, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, HH Dalai Lama, HH Sakya Trizin, Gosok Rinpoche, Khensur Rinpoche Losang Tsephel, Geshe Ngawang Dakpa, Gesha Losang Jamphal - Geshe Losang Tengyé and all others Om-Ah-Hum) and the Three Precious Gems (Buddha-Dharma-Sangha Namo Ratna Trayaya - Namo Guru-Deva-Dakini Om-Ah-Hum). With myself clear as a Buddha Yamantaka Vajrabhairava, with a dark blue-black body, nine faces, thirty-four arms, and sixteen legs. (Om-A-Ra-Pa-Cha-Na-Dhi 3x, Om Yamantaka Hum Phat 3x, Om Hrih Shtrih Vikritana-Nana Hum Phat 3x, Om Yama Raja Sadomeya, Yame Doru Na Yo Daya, Yada Yoni Ra Yaksheya, Yaksheya Ccha Nira Maya Hum2 Phat2 Svaha. 3x, Om Yamantaka Samaya Manupalaya, Yamantaka Tveno Patishtha, Dridho Me Bhava, Suposhyo Me Bhava, Sutoshyo Me Bhava, Anurakto Me Bhava, Sarva Siddhim Me Prayaccha, Sarva Karma Suchame, Chittam Shriyam, Kuru Hum, Ha Ha Ha Ha Hoh, Bhagavan, Yamantaka Mame Muncha, Yamantaka Bhava Maha Samaya Sattva Ah Hum Phat), holding Vajra (dorje male in right: method - skillful means Upaya Paramita Maha Karuna Bodhichitta) and Bell (Ghanta female in left - Wisdom-Bliss Maha Prajna Paramita Shunyata), I present you with offerings (Om Sarva Tathagata Yamantaka Saparivara Argham-Padyam-Gandhe-Pushpe-Dhupe-Aloke-Naividya-Shabda Praticcha Hum Svaha, Idam Guru Ratna Mandalakam Nirayatayami 1x). Upholding the teachings of Sutra and Tantra, (Yama: Samaya Vajra Repentance: Om Ah Prajna Drika Ha Hum 3x) I restrain my'self' (the-interdependent-not-independent merely-labelled 'I' imputed-posited on the six senses [eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind] and Five Aggregates Skandhas [1. Form-Body-Rupa, 2. Sensations-Feelings-Vedana, 3. Cognition-Samjna, 4. Impulses-Habits-Samskara, 5. Consciousness-Vignana]) from a wide variety of faulty deeds. the six senses from a wide array of faulty deeds. Amassing (Two Collections of Merit-Virtue-Punya and Wisdom No-Self Maha-Prajna-Paramita) 18 of 42. White Lotus Sweta Padma Punya Hasta Netram Mantra (27): Jye meng. Nan. Wa dz la. Wei la ye. Sa wa he 5x. 19 of 42. Blue Lotus Pure Land Rebirth Nila Padma Buddha Ksehtra Hasta Netram Mantra (26): Li two yun. Nan. Jr-li2. Wa dz la. Bu la pan two. Hung pan ja 5x. 20 of 42. Jeweled Mirror Prajna Hasta Netram Mantra (37): Shr-nwo2. Nan. Wei sa pu la. Nwo la ge cha. Wa dz la. Man cha la. Hung pan ja 5x.) Amassing within all constructive measures (Punya Maha Upaya Paramita),
“I, who is merely labeled, benefit beings through the four types of giving (Namo Dana Paramita Namo Lotus Sutra Courageous Giving Bodhisattva Om Ah Hum – 1. Dharma, 2. Pala (courage, protection, En-Theos), 3. Maitri (kindness), 4. Artha (food, clothing, shelter, medicine, time, money, energy) material things – giving to; giving up; giving in and forgiving, – 1. Dana: Giving to; 2. Shila-Morality via Renunciation: Giving up; 3. Kshanti-Sharanam-Surrender: Giving in and 4. Virya: Forgiving: Accept Everything with Ease and Let Go Completely.