- Sojin in essence is a simple practice but some important considerations need to be made
in order for it to be a success. There are many opportunities available to liberate animals from harm as long as you
are careful that once they are liberated they are not in danger of being injured or killed. Here are some important
considerations before releasing animals:
*The first thing that Adz*om Rinpoche suggests in our efforts to practice Sojin is to be a vegetarian. We can do
this for a day, a week, a month, a year or the rest of our lives. But, it is important to make some kind of
commitment and then stick to it.
* When releasing animals: The most important and obvious thing to consider before releasing animals is making
sure that they are being released into a habitat that is natural for them.
* That by releasing them you are not introducing incompatible species into sensitive areas where the newly
released animals will create an imbalance.
* That the area is free of danger.
* That the climate and time of year is adequate for their survival.
* That the animals released were not raised in captivity like a pet store, as they will be non native as well as they will
die in the wild (crickets are an exception).
bait. Crickets can be released in wild fields in the summer time and worms into good protected soil. Releasing small animals has powerful
benefits; one does not need to figure out how to save an elephant (unless of course you can) and instead can find something immediate in
your surroundings that is calling out for help. Rescuing a bird caught in a wire or finding a litter of kittens a good home is practicing Sojin.
Purchasing live crab and fish at meat markets and releasing them back into the ocean is a wonderful way to give life. Buying up hunting
licences especially for animals that are slim in numbers like mountain lions, (and not using them of course) is another way to protect life.
rebirth. Lama Zopa Rinpoche, http://www.fpmt.org/projects/alf/, takes several opportunities to take animals around prayer wheels and
blesses them with holy relics and consecrated statues before releasing them into the wild. This plants virtuous seeds in their mind streams
that they will carry with them for future happiness.
Here are some ways to practice Sojin. Whether it's hand's on, financial or volunteer it all helps equally. You can even do all three! Some
people live in areas where it is not really practical to do animal releases and others may have disabilities or have a really busy life. So we
have come up with many different options to fit everyone's lifestyle~
Sea Life Liberation:
SEA LIFE WARNING:
1.) IS IT LOCAL?
2.) IS IT FARMED?
If it is local and it's not farmed, you are set! Releasing sea life is a wonderful way to practice Sojin, but sea life is also the most precarious of
all the animal liberation practices. Before releasing sea life please make sure the sea life is LOCAL. Not all lobsters are alike or clams or
crabs... Sea life from other parts of the ocean will NOT survive if not put back into the same waters where they were caught. FARMED life
will not survive in the wild.
Critters:
Worms are perhaps the easiest and most instantly gratifying animal to release. They will end up on the end of a hook with a fish on the other
side so you benefit two beings at once by liberating them! Most Lamas and teachers recommend to release worms because they are many
in number and are easy to save.....you just need good protected soil~
Hunting Licences:
we suggest purchasing lottery licences. This means animals low in numbers, like big horn sheep, mountain lions and bears. Because
anyone can get a deer licence as they hand out an unlimited supply (if you don't shoot them the next guy will), then it ends up not really
saving a life. But they only give out a certain number of licences each year for animals slim in numbers, so if you get one of these licences
you really do save their life as the next guy can't get one. But of course any licence is good it's just the slim in numbers one have a larger
effect.
Planting Trees:
Planting trees is also practicing Sojin. Native trees provide oxygen for all of us and improve erosion which of course improves all of our
living conditions. Trees also provide habitat for animals and shade to keep us cool. This is a great project for kids and fun too! There are
several local environmental agencies that will offer indigenous baby trees for reforestation. Check you local forest service for more info.
Corridor Work and Restoration:
Corridor restoration is buying up land that runs adjacent to public or private lands that has no real intended use. This land can be protected
and preserved for natural habitat. There are several projects all over the world that are restoring and protecting corridors. In some places
like the corridor between North Korea and South Korea there are species living there that have never been touched that scientists don't
even know about. This corridor is accidental in some ways but there are several others that can become intentional and protected.
Donating to the purchase of corridors is a great way to preserve animal habitat. Or volunteering time in helping to designate and allocate
corridor land is great too.
Volunteer work:
Spending some time helping at your local humane society is also a great way to practice Sojin. Or doing beach clean ups where harmful
trash can effect sea life is not only saving animals but improves our living too. This is fun to do with kids and the whole family. Volunteering
anywhere that helps improve the life and standards of animals is really wonderful....
Local Animal Rehab Centers:
Most local animal rehab centers are struggling to make it. We have one here that is in desperate need of funds... Almost any town will have
someone who is doing there very best to save something. Here it is birds, and other places it may be ferrel cats or snowy plovers...
Donating to these centers goes along way. It also keeps things local and simple. Our little Sojin team here is going to donate to our local
bird rehab. Find what is closest to you and see how you can help?
Donating to World Wide Animal Rights Organizations:
There are several very well organized animal rights organizations out there. Some have made huge contributions to animal life as well as
human life. For instance the endangered species act has kept thousand of animals from total extinction and right now certain organisations
are working really hard to protect the polar bears and our planet from the larger looming issue of global warming.
Some animal rights groups to consider donating to are:
NRDC
Greenpeace
World Wide Life aka WWF
WSPA
Defenders of the Wildlife
Sierra Club
PETA
Tofu Dogs and other non-animals!
You do not need to be a vegetarian to practice Sojin. Although its highly recommended, several people at different times in their life either
need to eat meat or choose to and we encourage you to practice Sojin no matter your dietary orientation.
f
How Can I practice Sojin?
Sojin Do's & Dont's
Sojin
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |