Seven-Line Prayer to Guru Rinpoche
A traditional invocation of Padmasambhava, asking for his presence and blessing.
“I pray to you: Come, inspire me with your blessing!”
The prayer is preserved in the Lama Sangdü treasure revelation of Guru Chöwang (Chökyi Wangchuk). Its accompanying instructions are traditionally attributed to Guru Rinpoche.
Read the full prayer and instructions · Tibetan, pronunciation & English
Practice in the source text
The accompanying instruction describes the following sequence, summarized here:
- Seclusion and reflection. Find a secluded place and reflect deeply on impermanence and the suffering of saṃsāra.
- Devotion and trust. Turn wholeheartedly toward Guru Rinpoche as refuge. This instruction says offerings and praise are not necessary.
- Repeated prayer. Recite the Seven-Line Prayer with heartfelt longing and devotion.
- Resting in awareness. If devotion becomes overwhelming, the text describes breathing out strongly, letting everything rest as it is, and looking within with clear, undistracted awareness.
A teacher’s visualization guide
Dodrupchen Jigme Tenpai Nyima explains the prayer through Guru Rinpoche’s lotus birth, awakened qualities and compassion. His instructions include an image and offerings, facing southwest, and reciting with concentration and melody.
He concludes with the Prayer for the Swift Fulfilment of Wishes and dedication of merit. This is his particular presentation of the practice.
Dodrupchen · A Simple Visualization for the Seven-Line Prayer
Guru Rinpoche and guru yoga
Padmasambhava, also called Guru Rinpoche, is the focus of this prayer. The invocation also appears in guru-yoga practice; Ngöndro introduces the wider setting of preliminary training in Tibetan Buddhism.
On Guru Viking
In episode 384, Edgy Gurus & Rude Dharma (21 October 2026), Samuel Bercholz discusses calling upon Guru Rinpoche and names the Seven-Line Prayer alongside his twelve-syllable mantra.
Related reading & listening
Sources & notes
Sources
- Accomplishing the Lama Through the Seven-Line Prayer · Lama Sangdü, the terma revelation of Guru Chöwang. Rigpa Translations, 2004. The quotation above is verbatim; the practice sequence is a summary.
- A Simple Visualization for the Seven-Line Prayer · Dodrupchen Jigme Tenpai Nyima; translated by Adam Pearcey, 2015.
Both translations are published by Lotsawa House under CC BY-NC 4.0.