Alex Wilding

The other prominent figures in the tantric landscape, the protectors, the dakinis and so on, are also visualised and held to be present. This practice originated in India more than a thousand years ago, amongst communities who were at least to some extent on the edge of society.

It does appear likely that not only the singing and dancing, but the consumption of plenty of intoxicants, along with the food, the singing, the dancing and lovemaking, were performed as written. A veritable orgy, in other words. Do not, however, expect or fear that that is what you will find at a Tibetan Buddhist centre these days.

It does appear likely that not only the singing and dancing, but the consumption of plenty of intoxicants, along with the food, the singing, the dancing and lovemaking, were performed as written. A veritable orgy, in other words. Do not, however, expect or fear that that is what you will find at a Tibetan Buddhist centre these days.

Probably that kind of transgressive activity had a liberating effect breaking through the stiff and oppressive social structures of the time. But circumstances changed, both in the course of the transmission to Tibet and, believe it or not, in the course of the experience of many centuries.

Probably that kind of transgressive activity had a liberating effect breaking through the stiff and oppressive social structures of the time. But circumstances changed, both in the course of the transmission to Tibet and, believe it or not, in the course of the experience of many centuries.

Human nature being what it is, it's not impossible to find people with or without a proper background in traditional Tibetan Buddhism who would like to reinstate a literal reading of the old texts that describe Tzok Bujas. Whether or not that is in fact skillful, whether or not it is beneficial, and whether or not it represents the true Buddhist tradition,

Human nature being what it is, it's not impossible to find people with or without a proper background in traditional Tibetan Buddhism who would like to reinstate a literal reading of the old texts that describe Tzok Bujas. Whether or not that is in fact skillful, whether or not it is beneficial, and whether or not it represents the true Buddhist tradition,

These are questions that you are welcome to ruminate on for yourself. But aside from the fact that you can meet a mugger every time you go around a street corner, but usually you don't, there is no real reason to imagine you are likely to find this approach at your local Buddhist centre.

These are questions that you are welcome to ruminate on for yourself. But aside from the fact that you can meet a mugger every time you go around a street corner, but usually you don't, there is no real reason to imagine you are likely to find this approach at your local Buddhist centre.

Coming back to normal practice, Tsok Pujas also provide a time not only for celebrating the blessings that have been received, but for confessing failures to maintain our vows and for renewing them. Very many Western followers of Tibetan Buddhism will only do Tsok Pujas on special occasions, such as at the conclusion of a series of teachings.

Coming back to normal practice, Tsok Pujas also provide a time not only for celebrating the blessings that have been received, but for confessing failures to maintain our vows and for renewing them. Very many Western followers of Tibetan Buddhism will only do Tsok Pujas on special occasions, such as at the conclusion of a series of teachings.

But the more serious practitioners, and no, I'm not going to try to define who they are, it's usual to perform a Sok Puja regularly, typically on the 10th and 25th days of the lunar month, for just the reason I mentioned a minute ago. Monks and nuns often gather to renew their vows on the full moon and new moon days, while the practice of the Sok Puja on the 10th and 25th days is parallel to this.

But the more serious practitioners, and no, I'm not going to try to define who they are, it's usual to perform a Sok Puja regularly, typically on the 10th and 25th days of the lunar month, for just the reason I mentioned a minute ago. Monks and nuns often gather to renew their vows on the full moon and new moon days, while the practice of the Sok Puja on the 10th and 25th days is parallel to this.

In the Nyingma tradition, the 10th day is particularly associated with Guru Rinpoche, and the Tsok of the 25th day, which is, as it were, the 10th day of the waning phase of the moon, focuses on the Dakinis, but that might be getting a bit technical and going beyond the scope of this episode. Having mentioned those particular occasions,

In the Nyingma tradition, the 10th day is particularly associated with Guru Rinpoche, and the Tsok of the 25th day, which is, as it were, the 10th day of the waning phase of the moon, focuses on the Dakinis, but that might be getting a bit technical and going beyond the scope of this episode. Having mentioned those particular occasions,

I should also say that it is not at all uncommon for practitioners to perform some kind of sock puja every day or even in some cases several times a day. Sock pujas are therefore used both on a regular basis as well as to mark special occasions. In my life, like most of us I'm sure, I've not always been at the right place at the right time.

I should also say that it is not at all uncommon for practitioners to perform some kind of sock puja every day or even in some cases several times a day. Sock pujas are therefore used both on a regular basis as well as to mark special occasions. In my life, like most of us I'm sure, I've not always been at the right place at the right time.

On the other hand, sometimes I have been at the right place at the right time, and I was extremely lucky to be able to travel in the early 90s together with a group of students to Benchen Monastery in eastern Tibet, which was the home monastery of my teacher at that time, Chimi Rinpoche.

On the other hand, sometimes I have been at the right place at the right time, and I was extremely lucky to be able to travel in the early 90s together with a group of students to Benchen Monastery in eastern Tibet, which was the home monastery of my teacher at that time, Chimi Rinpoche.

One of the things our Lama most particularly wanted to achieve was for us to perform a sok puja, actually a rather simple one, in the practice hall of that monastery. It felt as if by doing that, we had really been there, we had made a connection, the whole pilgrimage was somehow made real.