Year of the Earth Mouse 2008
Important Dates

In the Buddhist tradition, certain days are considered especially auspicious or inauspicious for particular practices. These days can be recurrent either each month or annually. The information below gives a general guide to important practice dates occurring in the Tibetan Year of the Earth Mouse.

On days when solar and lunar eclipses fall, positive and negative actions are multiplied by 10,000 times.

On monthly recurring Buddha days, such as Medicine Buddha on the 1^st quarter, Amitabha Buddha on the full moon and Sakyamuni Buddha on the new moon, positive and negative actions are multiplied by 100 times. On these days, many teachers recommend the observance of the eight Mahayana precepts:

1. To refrain from killing;
2. To refrain from stealing;
3. To refrain from lying;
4. To avoid sexual activity;
5. To refrain from intoxication;
6. To avoid personal ornamentation;
7. To refrain from taking a luxurious or high seat;
8. and not to eat after midday;

During the month of Saka Dawa, the 4^th Lunar month, positive actions are multiplied by 100,000 times, so practice is emphasized and the eating of black foods such as meat, eggs, fish etc is discouraged.

On Sojong (Practice of Confession by the “Second Buddha” ) days, positive and negative actions are multiplied by 30 times. The observance of the Eight Mahayana precepts and practice of Sojong are recommended. "So" means 'to restore', i.e. to mend broken vows and replenish positive virtues. "Jong" means 'to purify', i.e. to clear away negative karmas and harmful deeds.

Tsok ceremony is performed to accumulate merit. There are two kinds of Tsok, the outer and inner Tsok. The outer Tsok (accumulation Tsok): we make different kinds of actual offerings such as food, rice, water bowl offerings, flowers, incense and butter lamps. The inner Tsok (visualised Tsok): we perform on the mind level with intense concentration, using mantra and visualization.