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Vassa, the annual "rains retreat," is an annual three-month monastic retreat practiced especially in the Theravada Buddhist tradition. The three months are determined by the lunar calendar and, usually, begin in July. During Vassa, monks remain in residence within their temples and leave its grounds only when necessary. Laypeople show their devotion and appreciation by supporting the monks with food and other necessities. Lay people sometimes give up things like eating meat, drinking alcohol, or smoking during Vassa. The Vassa retreat is timed to coincide with the monsoon rains of India and southeast Asia. Many Mahayana Buddhist monastic traditions also have periodic retreats or intensive practice periods modeled after Vassa, but they may be observed at different times of the year. In the Buddha's day, Vassa was observed by both men and women. There are few Theravada Buddhist nuns today, however, so this article is going to focus mostly on monks. Origin of the Rains...

On 10 May, 2560/2017 MCU: "Vesak", the Day of the Full Moon in the month of May, is the most sacred day to millions of Buddhists around the world. It was on the Day of Vesak two and a half millennia ago, in the year 623 B.C.,that the Buddha was born. It was also on the Day of Vesak that the Buddha attained enlightenment, and it was on the Day of Vesak that the Buddha in his eightieth year passed away. In the morning section: Phra Sophonvachirabhorn, Vice Rector for Foreign Affairs of MCU, Acting Director of Dhammaduta College of MCU gives a special speech to 112 training Overseas Dhammaduta Bhikkhus   at Classrooms Zone D, MCU, Ayutthaya. In the afternoon section: 112 Dhammaduta Bhikkhus were offered yellow robes by devotees. Moreover, Vice Rector for Foreign Affairs of MCU led to join with Dhammaduta Bhikkhus, administers, lectures and staff of MCU listening the Patimokkha at Uposatha Hall, MCU, Ayutthaya. Finally, they are joining Candle procession in front of Tripit...

On 26 Apr, 2560/2017 VAISHALI : Phramaha Cha-Em Suviro, Asst. Prof., Assistant to the Rector of Foreign Affairs is with   Administers, Advisors, Lecturers of Dhammaduta College, and staff of MCU lead the 112 monks, Training Overseas Dhammaduta Bhikkhus Class 23/2560 to study tour and chanting at Vaishali, where the Buddha took on his last journey. Vaishali is about 55 km away from the capital city of Patna. In the present day, this is a small village surrounded by banana and mango groves as well as rice fields. However, excavations in this area have brought to light an impressive historical past. This region has been recognized by the historians, as one of the world’s first democratic republics with an elected assembly of representatives flourishing in 6 th century BCE. That was the time of the Vajjins and the Licchavis. According to the Buddhist literature, there had been 7007 representatives (kings) in this republican state. It was at Vaishali that the Buddha delivered ...