Vassa Rains Retreat

Today is the Beginning of the Observance of Vassa (Rain Retreat)

Imasmim vihare imam temasam vassam upemi. [3 times]
[I will live in this monastery for these three months of Rains Retreat]

“Imasmim Avase Imam Temasam Vassam Upema” [3 Times]

At one time, the Awakened One, the Buddha was residing at the Squirrels Park, Veluvana in Rajagaha. At that time, the retreat during the rainy season had not yet been instituted by the Buddha for bhikkhus or monks. Thus, the bhikkhus went on their travels alike during winter, summer and the rainy season.

People were annoyed, murmured and became angry, saying, “How can the Sakyaputtiya Samanas (Bhikkhus) go on their travels alike during winter, summer and the rainy season? They trample on the green herbs, they hurt vegetable life and they destroy the life of many small living creatures. Shall the ascetics who belong to Titthiya School, whose doctrine is ill-preached retire, during the rainy season and arrange places for themselves to live in? Shall the birds make their nests on the top of the trees and retire during the rainy season and arrange themselves places to live in; and yet the Sakyaputtiya Samanas go on their travels alike during winter, summer and the rainy season, trampling on the green herbs, hurting vegetable life and destroying the life of many small creatures?”

Now, these remarks came to the ears of some bhikkhus that people were annoyed, murmured and had become angry. These bhikkhus brought this up to the Buddha.

In consequence of that and on this occasion, the Buddha after having delivered a discourse, thus addressed the Bhikkhus,

“Anujānāmi Bhikkhave Vassam upaganton.”
( “I allow, O Bhikkhus, that you enter upon Vassa.”)

KATHINA (ROBES OFFERING)

At one time, the Awakened One, the Buddha was staying at Jetavanarama, Savatthi. Meanwhile, a group of dhutanga bhikkhus had stayed at Saketa City for their Vassa. They made their way to meet the Buddha after their Vassa. But, the inclement weather and muddy roads took a toll on their garments. All their three robes were soiled and needed to be changed.

The Buddha then had the occasion to promulgate the Kathina Ceremony at the end of the Vassa season with these words,

“I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that the Kathina ceremony shall be performed by bhikkhus when they have completed their Vassa.”