Special practice days throughout the year
Community practice days
The following days are according to the Tibetan Calendar. Please see Chanteloube’s practice calendar for more information and corresponding Western dates or Padmakara’s practice texts for information on practice materials.
| Special calendar days Year of the Fire Pig 2134 |
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| Western | Tibetan | Practice Day | ||
| Month | Day | Month | Day | |
| 2 | 18 | 1 | 1 | Tibetan New Year |
| 1 | 15 | Chotrul Düchen. 15 days of Miracles displayed by the Buddha* | ||
| 4 | 7 | Birth of the Buddha | ||
| 4 | 15 | Enlightenment & Parinirvana of the Buddha* | ||
| 6 | 4 | Chökhor Düchen, First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma* | ||
| 6 | 10 | Birth of Padmasambhava | ||
| 9 | 22 | Lha Bab Düchen, Buddha Shakyamuni’s descent from Tushita* | ||
* Four Great Festival days: On these days, the effects of ones positive or negative actions are multiplied by 10 million times.
Anniversaries
Every year, Chanteloube and other affiliated groups usually gather on the following days to commemorate the life of the following masters:
Parinirvana days |
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| Western | Tibetan | Practice Day | ||
| Month | Day | Month | Day | |
| 1 | 21 | Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo | ||
| 4 | 18 | Patrul Rinpoche | ||
| 5 | 6 | Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö, the 2nd | ||
| 7 | 16 | Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche | ||
| 8 | 10 | Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche | ||
| 10 | 18 | Dudjom Rinpoche | ||
| 12 | 11 | Kangyur Rinpoche | ||
| 12 | 25 | Amala (Champa Chokyi Khandro, Kangyur insangyum) | ||
Note: The Tibetan 10th month 5th day is the Birth of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, & Yangsi Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
Monthly practice days
Buddha Days
The following days occur every month of the Tibetan Calendar. There is community tsok practice every month on the 10th and 25th – Guru Rinpoche day and Dakini day respectively. Please see the practice calendar for more information.
| Buddha days | |
| Tibetan Day | Practice Day |
| 8 | Medicine Buddha |
| 10 | Guru Rinpoche* |
| 15 | Amitabha Buddha |
| 25 | Dakini Day* |
| 29 | Dharmapala Day |
| 30 | Shakyamuni Buddha |
Sojong
Sojong is a practice of purification taught by the Buddha. and usually falls on the day before the full and new moon. So means restore or replenish and Jong means to purify. Sojong is therefore a practice to restore virtue and to purify negativity. On this day, the practice of Narak Kong Shak (confession) is usually performed. In addition, vows may be observed according to the Eight Vows of Mahayana (to refrain from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, intoxication, taking a high seat, singing / dancing or wearing of ornaments, and eating after midday).
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