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