Introduction to the SBT Practice Guide

Welcome to our SBT practice guide. This text was created to make daily practice easy, efficient, and fun. But before getting into the practices, let’s first take a moment to explain this text and address some common questions. This text begins with various SBT affirmations, affirmations, and affirmations. It then moves onto outlines of daily practice according to the various levels of practitioners. Lastly, it closes with outlines of SBT ceremonies and observances. Study, practice, and training

We engage the Buddhist path through study, practice, and training. Most begin their journey through study, by reading books and exploring the teachings online. Often, this leads to a desire to explore Buddhist practices, such as meditation, mindfulness, and contemplation. But when practitioners become serious about their path, they may wish to begin training. Training, in Buddhism, consists of the holding of vows, precepts, and commitments of wholesome conduct and awakened behavior.

Training begins with taking refuge and receiving refuge vows. The term refuge can be understood as going for protection or safety, as if taking refuge in a shelter from a storm; or taking refuge in the advice of a doctor when sick. Taking refuge is a formal commitment to actualizing the Buddhas path and a commitment to your own awakening. It’s to pledge to uphold the basic tenets of Buddhism and the ten precepts of refuge (the ten virtuous actions). It’s to declare that from this day forward you’ll put the Buddha’s teachings into practice and fully embrace and embody the Buddhist path.

Practitioners take refuge in a refuge ceremony, thereby formally becoming Buddhist practitioners. Refuge vows are received from a qualified teacher who can offer guidance pertaining to one’s new vows. Traditionally a new refuge name is given, signifying that one is being reborn into the Buddhist sangha (community). Taking refuge is not needed to study and practice Buddhism, however, it is a requirement to begin training in the Buddhist path. Refuge is also a prerequisite for taking further vows, pertaining to higher stages of training. After refuge vows, the next level of training begins with taking bodhisattva vows, which represent initiation into the Mahayana path and the beginning of one’s bodhisattva training. To take bodhisattva vows is to make a formal commitment to actualize the Mahayana path and uphold the basic Mahayana tenets. In SBT, further levels of training can include taking lay ordination vows and monastic vows.

SBT practices

Some are curious why SBT teaches such a large assortment of practices. Wondering how it’s possible to practice them all on any given day. The truth is because we possess highly complex minds that are constantly shifting and changing, we require an equally complex set of practices. SBT sees our practices as tools and works to fill up the practitioners’ toolbox so they have the right tools for anything that may arise. Often, the mind by its own volition, will find and implement a practice when it’s appropriate or needed. We’re able to manage our collection of practices through the daily recitation of affirmations and affirmations, which serve as reminders of the various practices, their functions, and how to apply them.

The power of affirmations

Affirmations are an amazing tool for generating inspiration and clarity and serves a vital role in maintaining a daily continuity of practice. Commonly defined as, an assertion stating or affirming something to be true, affirmations are used by practitioners to inspire, remind, and give clear direction to their path. Morning affirmations help to deter confusion, laziness, and negativity, while inspiring and energizing us, clarifying our aims for the day. While evening affirmations help us to clear away any mental and emotional preoccupations that may interfere with sleep, while cultivating contentment and satisfaction when reflecting on the day’s successes. Additionally, affirmations help to keep us focused and grounded, preventing us from falling into dull, carless, or unproductive patterns and behaviors.

The practice of affirmations to purify intentions

Buddhism asserts the mind as malleable; meaning, it can be trained to our advantage. This is often referred to as purification. Purifying the mind can be thought of as improving, reshaping, or reprogramming the mind. This first begins with purifying our intentions from which positive and wholesome mental states and actions follow. Buddhism asserts that all progress on the path begins with the proper intentions. Therefore, working to purify our intentions is the most advantageous of practices. And the best method for purifying intentions is daily affirmations.

The gesture of anjali

Anjali (Pali): The gesture of joining the palms together at the heart; a transcultural gesture to show reverence and/or appreciation. A common greeting gesture within Indian cultures, which is accompanied by the phrase namaste, meaning I bow to the divine in you, or my own interpretation, I recognize and appreciate you. Within affirmations and practices the anjali gesture can be used to center the mind, show gratitude to your community, and to generate feelings of deep appreciation within yourself. Anjali can also be used when meeting or saying goodbye, as a sign of your appreciation for their presence. And of course, it’s the most common greeting gesture when meeting a Buddhist monastic.