Vassa, the annual "rains retreat"
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...