Tsog (pronounced 'soak', spelled Tsog or Tsok)

What exactly is a Tsog?

Much of the information listed here was excerpted from "The Meaning of Tsok & How to Practice Tsok Simply"

" In order to make your practice meaningful, it is important to understand the purpose of tsok practice. . .  The Tsok practice is one of many skillful and powerful methods that are swift in the process of accumulation and purification.

The sanskit word for tsok practice is ganachakra, which in Tibetan is tsok kyi khorlo. . .  The word Tsok means 'an accumulation' or 'gathering', and the word khorlo means 'wheel' making the literal translation 'wheel of accumulation'.  Tsok can be performed to celebrate Guru Rinpoche day and or Dakinis' Day which fall on the 10th and 25th day respectively, of the Tibetan calendar.

The tsog  is the gathering of:

1.  practitioners - viewed as their enlightened nature,

2.  offering substances -  the edible substances represent skillful means & the liquids wisdom,

3.  buddhas - imagine an entire mandala of buddhas; and

4.  merit and wisdom - result from 1-3. Merit is the accumulation of devotion & compassion, and wisdom is the development of non-conceptual reference."

Offering substances include: sweet, sour, salty, grain, wine, flowers and meat (dairy is optional). Offerings are selected without preference or aversion and without  the idea that one has spent too much or too little. 

  The complete text of "The Meaning of Tsok & How to Practice Tsok Simply" can be purchased from the Rigpa Sangha ( http://zamamerica.stores.yahoo.net/books.html ) or from the publisher  Zam SARL, Lodévé, France at www.zam.store.com .