On 5 April 2008, the two monastic institutes of Sera Monastery - Sera Jey & Sera Mey, was able to successfully observe the traditional buddhist practice of SOJONG at Sera Thekchenling Lachi Monastery after a gap of almost three months.
Sojong Ceremony is the practice for purifying and restoring broken vows. It forms one of the most important practice of all ordained monk, and is observed twice a month on the 15th & 30th day or after every 15 th day.
For almost three months sojong ceremony has been suspended, following the uncomprising stand by a small section of monks in Sera Mey Monastery in their reluctance to abide & respect the resolution passed by Gelug Committee (that comprise Heads of all Monasteries affiliated to Gelug tradition) in renouncing the
propitiation of Dorjee Shugden & in disassociation from those propitiating Dorjee Shugden.
With the majority of monks being deprived of holding the sacred & important sojon ceremony for many sessions, and earlier Monlam Chenmo (the annual Great Prayer Festival conducted at Sera Thekchenling Lachi Monastery) being held late after an indefinite suspension, the two Monastic Institutes - Sera Jey & Sera Mey and the member monks were anxious in resuming the monastic traditions & practice.
The two Monastery - Sera Jey & Sera Mey with their overwhelming monks respecting the Gelug tradition & discipline, with the support of Himalayan Students Committee - Sera Monastery, and lay Tibetan devotees, has peacefully succeeded in creating a circumstance in holding the sojong.
Thus the much awaited SOJONG was observed on 5 April 2008, bringing immense relief to the monks of Sera Monastery and also to sincere lay devotees, sponsors & friends of the two Monasery - Sera Jey & Sera Mey in restoring the fundamental practice of an ordained buddhist monk and the tradition of a monastery at large.
