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Vassa (Template:Langx, Template:Langx, both "rain") is the three-month annual retreat observed by Theravada Buddhists. Taking place during the wet season, Vassa lasts for three lunar months, usually from July (the Burmese month of Waso, {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}) to October (the Burmese month of Thadingyut, {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}).<ref name="about">Vassa at About.com</ref>
In English, Vassa is also called Rains Retreat.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> While Vassa is sometimes casually called "Buddhist Lent", others object to this terminology.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="access"/>
For the duration of Vassa, monastics remain in one place, typically a monastery or temple grounds.<ref name="access">Lay Buddhist Practice - The Shrine Room, Uposatha Day, Rains Residence</ref><ref>Was (Thai) Vassa</ref> In some monasteries, monks dedicate the Vassa to intensive meditation.<ref name="access"/> Some Buddhist lay people choose to observe Vassa by adopting more ascetic practices, such as giving up meat, alcohol, or smoking.<ref name="about"/> In Thailand, the sale of alcohol is prohibited on the first (Wan Khao Phansa) and last (Wan Ok Phansa) days of Vassa.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Commonly, the number of years a monk has spent in monastic life is expressed by counting the number of vassas (or rains) since ordination.
Mahayana Buddhists also observe Vassa. Vietnamese Thiền and Korean Seon monastics observe an equivalent retreat of three months of intensive practice in one location, a practice also observed in Tibetan Buddhism.Template:Cn
Vassa begins on the first day of the waning moon of the eighth lunar month, which is the day after Asalha Puja or Asalha Uposatha ("Dhamma day"). It ends on Pavarana, when all monastics come before the sangha and atone for any offense that might have been committed during Vassa.
Vassa is followed by Kathina, a festival in which the laity expresses gratitude to monks.<ref name="kathina">Vassa (Rains Retreat) and Kathina (Robe Offering) Ceremony</ref><ref name="tv">Vassa, The Rains Retreat</ref> Lay Buddhists bring donations to temples, especially new robes for the monks.<ref name="kathina"/><ref name="tv"/><ref>Kathina at BBC</ref>
The Vassa tradition predates the time of Gautama Buddha.<ref name="about"/> It was a long-standing custom for mendicant ascetics in India not to travel during the rainy season as they may unintentionally harm crops, insects or even themselves during their travels.<ref name="access"/>Template:Primary inline Many Buddhist ascetics live in regions which lack a rainy season.<ref name="tv"/> Consequently, there are places where Vassa may not be typically observed.<ref name="tv"/>
See alsoEdit
- Esala Mangallaya
- Monsoon of South Asia
- Thadingyut Festival
- Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival
- Vassa candle
- Vesak
ReferencesEdit
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