Guru Rinpoche, Padmakara, The Lotus Born (often referred to in the West as Padmasambhava, though this is actually simply one of his manifestations), is perhaps the most important figure in Tibetan Buddhism. He is widely regarded in Tibet as the Second Buddha. Space does not allow for even the briefest introduction to Guru Rinpoche, but the reading list at the bottom of this page, though not comprehensive, refers to enough material to allow you to begin to encounter Guru Rinpoche.

The Seven Line Prayer, which follows, is a profound practice which leads one to Guru Rinpoche. The prayer is operating at many, many levels simultaneously, from the most literal level most people notice at first to the highest levels of Dzogchen. For a wonderful discussion of the prayer, see Tulku Thondrup, Enlightened Journey: Buddhist Practice as Daily Life, "The Meaning of the Vajra Seven-Line Prayer to Guru Rinpoche", Shambhala Publications, Inc., Boston, 1995.

When practiced, the Seven Line Prayer is sung to a one or another of a variety of melodies, or chanted very quickly for accumulation. His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche can be heard invoking Guru Rinpoche with the Seven Line Prayer on a tape available from Yeshe Nyingpo.

The Tibetan script, literal translation, and translation of the Seven Line Prayer, as well as the photo of the "looks like me" statue of Guru Rinpoche below is from the very beautiful and wonderfully done Dudjom Tersar Ngondro, His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche, Jigdral Yeshe Dorje, printed by Yeshe Melong for Yeshe Nyingpo.

PEMA GESAR DONGPO LA
lotus pistil stem on
On the pistil stem of a lotus

YA TSEN CHOG GI NGO DRUB NYE
marvelous supreme of accomplishment attained
Endowed with marvelous supreme accomplishment

PEMA JUNG NE ZHE SU DRAG
lotus born renowned as
Renowned as the Lotus Born

KHOR DU KHA DRO MANG PO KOR
retinue to space goer many surrounded
Surrounded by a retinue of many dakinis

KHYED KYI JE SU DAG DRUB KYI
you of follow I will practice so
Following you, I will practice

CHIN GYII LOB CHIR SHEG SU SOL
bless by grant in order to please come
Please come and bless me!

GURU PEMA SIDDHI HUM

Brief Reading List (in no particular order)

The Lotus Born: The Life Story of Padmasambhava
Composed by Yeshe Tsogyal, Revealed by Nyang Ral Nyima Oser, Foreward by His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche,
Clarification of the Life of Padmasambhava by Tsele Natsok Rangdrol, Translated by Erik Pema Kunsang, Shambhala, Boston & London, 1993

The Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism
Dudjom Rinpoche, Translated and edited by Gyurme Dorje with the collaboration of Matthew Kapstein, two volumes. Comprehensive and indispensible reference work on the Nyingma school written soon after H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche left Tibet in order to preserve the Tibetan tradition of Buddhism in an uncertain world. Wisdom Publications, Boston, 1991

Hidden Teachings of Tibet: An Explanation of the Terma Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism
Tulku Thondrup Rinpoche, Wisdom Publications, Boston, 1986, 1997

Enlightened Journey: Buddhist Practice as Daily Life, Tulku Thondrup, Shambhala, Boston, 1995.

Advice From the Lotus-Born, A Collection of Padmasambhava's Advice to the Dakini Yeshe Tsogyal and Other Close Disciples, From the Terma treasure revelations of Nyang Ral Nyima Ozer, Guru Chowang, Pema Ledrel Tsal, Sangye Lingpa, Rigdzin Godem, and Chokgyur Lingpa; Introductory teaching by H.E. Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, Translated by Erik Pema Kunsang, Rangjung, Yeshe Publications, Boudhanath, Arhus & Hong Kong 1994

Ngondro Commentary: Instructions for the Concise Preliminary Practices of the New Treasure of Dudjom
Compiled from the Teachings of His Eminence Chagdud Tulku by Jane Tromge, Padma Publishing, Junction City, CA, 1995

Tantric Practice in Nying-Ma
Khetsun Sangpo, translated by Jeffrey Hopkins, Snow Lion Publications, Ithica, New York, 1982

The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying
Sogyal Rinpoche, HarperSanFrancisco1993

The Words of My Perfect Teacher, kunzang lama'i shelung
Patrul Rinpoche, Translated by Padmakara Translation Group, foreward by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, HarperCollins Publishers, New York, 1994

Sky Dancer: The Secret Life and Songs of the Lady Yeshe Tsogyel
revealed by Gyelwa Jangchub, foreward by Trinley Norbu Rinpoche, translated by Keith Dowman, ARKANA (Penguin Group), London, 1989

Mother of Knowledge: The Enlightenment of Ye-shes mTsho-rgyal
revealed by Nam-mkha'i snying-po, oral translation by Tarthang Tulku, edited by Jane Wilhelms, Dharma Publishing, Berkeley, 1983

Crystal Mirror, Volume VI
Tarthang Tulku and the Dharma Publishing staff, contains the 8 manifestations of Guru Rinpoche, Dharma Publishing, Berkeley, 1984