Vassa, also called Rains Retreat, is the traditional period during the Asian rainy season lasting for three lunar months. During this time, Buddhist monastics remain in a single place, with an allowance to travel for up to seven nights at a time. In some monasteries, monks and nuns dedicate the Vassa to intensive meditation and the study of the Vinaya, the monastic code of conduct. The observation of the Vassa was established within the Buddha’s lifetime. He laid down this rule based on a pre-existing practice where religious seekers avoided travel for a three-month period during the rainy season, in order to avoid the damaging crops and small living beings. The Vassa is followed by the Kathina season, which runs for a one-month period until the full moon of November. A monastery can only hold one Kathina ceremony per year, and it must be instigated and organised by the lay community. The ceremony revolves around the offering of robe-cloth, as well as other requisites to support the Sangha. This year the Vassa starts 23 July until 19 October 2013. Extracted from amaravati.org/events/article/2204
Posted on: Mon, 22 Jul 2013 06:16:47 +0000
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