“I and all sentient beings, my mothers, from beginningless time until now, have continuously undergone all the sufferings of cyclic existence in general, and those of the three lower realms in particular. Nevertheless it is still difficult to fathom the depth and breadth of this misery. Now that I have attained a choice human life, so difficult to attain and so meaningful once acquired, if I do not realize supreme liberation in which all the sufferings of samsara are overcome — Guru Buddhahood — then once again I will have to experience the various torments of cyclic existence in general and those of the three lower realms in particular. As I now have before me the masters and the three jewels who can protect me from this pain, for the sake of all sentient beings, my mothers, I will do all I can to realize precious, perfect and consummate Buddhahood. To this end from the depths of my heart I take refuge in the spiritual masters and in the three jewels.”
From The Easy Path – Stages of the Path to Enlightenment by Panchen Lobsang Chokyi Gyaltsen As translated in: The Easy Path to Travel to Omniscience: A Practical Exposition of the Stages of the Path by Panchen Losang Chokyi Gyel Tsen, which is included in The Pearl Garland: An Anthology of Lamrims, translated from the Tibetan under Venerable Dagpo Rinpoche’s guidance by Rosemary Patton, Editions Guepele (France).