This is a type of prayer with seven parts: homage, offerings, confession, rejoicing, requesting teachings, requesting to remain, and dedication of merit. This prayer can be a simple recitation of the seven branches or a more complex liturgy. It is a very profound method of accumulating merit that is often found in Vajrayana deity practices.  It is important to understand all the branches and their meaning because they incorporate the key points for gathering the two accumulations. The Karmapa teaches that the seven branches of the prayer embody all the practices of accumulation and purification.