SOJONG - THE BENEFITS AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE

PRACTICE
!
By Shangpa Rinpoche
Sojong is a practice for purifying and precept and practice Sojong only on
restoring broken vows. "So" means "to holy or multiplying days. The
restore", i.e. to make broken vows and Mahayana Sutra mentioned that on
replenish positive virtues. "Jong" every 8th day of the month according
means "to purify", i.e. to clear away to the lunar Tibetan calendar, millions
negative karma and harmful deeds. of tiny beings in space die
Traditionally, Sojong is practised due to the changes in the
bimonthly by members of the sangha energy of moon which
to restore any broken Pratimoksha creates strong elemental
vows. This purification practice is also forces that they cannot
observed by some lay Buddhists. For withstand. It is therefore
lay Buddhists, Sojong is usually very important to
practised on holy days, full moon develop compassion and
(Lunar 15th day) and new moon loving kindness towards
(Lunar 30th day) days. them, dedicate merits to
them and wish for their
For lay Buddhists, Sojong comprises Ven. Shangpa Rinpoche
liberation. Rinpoche
taking the 8 Mahayana Precepts for personally prays for their
one day and a formal confession. We l i b e ra t i o n o n t h i s d a y, h e a l s o
tend to break our precepts constantly encourages each and every one of us
due to our deluded emotions and who wishes to practise Sojong to
habits. Sojong cultivates a deliberate Sojong cultivates
remember our bodhicitta aspirations
effort to reflect on oneself - a a deliberate effort
and to do our part on this day.
practitioner becomes more mindful of to reflect on
his own habitual tendencies, and by Compassion and wisdom are the core oneself - a
developing compassion and bodhicitta, components of enlightenment. When practitioner
he will awaken his natural innate state we combine Rinpoche's teaching with becomes more
— his true Buddha nature. In today's our inherent compassion to practice mindful of his own
world, Sojong is a particularly useful w i s e l y, a n d c u l t i va t e w i t h i n u s habitual tendencies,
practice for busy people who have no compassion and bodhicitta for all and by developing
time for more formal practise in sentient beings, these noble qualities compassion and
monasteries or Buddhist Centres. It is will grow stronger and stronger, until it bodhicitta, he will
a simple but meaningful practice even gradually becomes our nature. awaken his natural
a busy person can easily do at home or innate state — his
at work. As we further refine our understanding true Buddha nature.
of the teachings we receive with
The Mahayana Sojong is primarily diligent practice, we will eventually be
practiced to develop Bodhichitta — i.e. able to arrive at the fruition of our
loving kindness and compassion. Yet, aspirations — enlightenment for the
most lay people choose to take the 8 sake of all sentient beings.
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No matter where we are, as and Bodhisattvas), surrounded These precepts are essentially
long as we are able to spare a by the principal and lineage the same as the monastic
few moments, with mindfulness masters, Buddhas and precepts, except instead of
and with the right understanding Bodhisattvas. taking them for life; a lay
of the Sojong practice, we can practitioner takes them for one
put into practice one of the most 5 - Reflection: Search one's mind d a y a t a t i m e . Ta k i n g t h e
wonderful Buddha's teachings. for any broken vow(s) and precepts from dawn to dawn is a
regrets for lapses in mindfulness. very effective way to train the
Below are some guidelines for Look deeply into oneself and the body, speech and mind of a lay
practice by a lay practitioner at thousands of habitual tendencies practitioner. If the precepts are
home that seem to define oneself. kept correctly, one's ignorance
Realise that one's nature is really will diminish; his knowledge and
1 - Preliminary Preparation: Set one's ego persistently but wisdom will naturally increase;
up a small shrine with an image ignorantly trying to assert its his meditation practice will also
of Buddha (may be picture, own identity. The only way to benefit.
statue, photo, etc.). awaken from this delusional
state is to cultivate a continuous 7 - Dedication of Merit: "I
2 - Taking Refuge: "In the
state of crystal clear awareness dedicate the merit of this and all
Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, I
so that habitual tendencies are Sojong practice to each and
take refuge until enlightenment
instantly recognised and every sentient being. May all
is won; by the merits of giving
liberated the moment they arise. beings accomplish within their
and other virtuous deeds; may I
minds the accumulation of moral
attain Buddhahood for the sake 6 - Taking the 8 Mahayana disciplines, concentrative
of all beings." (Recite three Precepts: "I affirm and vow to all meditation, transcendental
times.) the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas wisdom, and ultimately attain
that I shall: enlightenment and be freed from
3 - G e n e ra t i n g B o d h i c i t t a :
"Through this practice, may I the sufferings of Samsara." This
1. Not kill
quickly awaken to my true dedication is an act of generosity
2. Not steal
Buddha nature. May countless - sharing our benefits and merits
3. Abstain from sexual acts
beings benefit." f r o m t h i s p ra c t i c e w i t h a l l
4. Abstain from telling lies
sentient being.
5. Abstain from alcohol and
4 - Invocation: "I invoke as my
other intoxicants
eternal, infallible and true
6. Abstain from singing,
witness my guru and all the
dancing, wearing
Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the
frivolous things
three times." Visualize in the
7. Abstain from meals after
space in front of oneself is one's
noon time
guru, in the form of
8. Abstain from high seats
Avalokitesvara (or other Buddhas
or luxurious beds"

Ani reading Sojong Text