Australia and the World Past and Present

At my local Buddhist center, we are used to a weekly rotation of monks engaging with lay followers.

Activities include dhamma talks, mediation sittings and lunch dana.

But at a certain time of the year, the monks disappear.

People unfamiliar with Buddhism may wonder where they all went.

The answer is that they are on the rains retreat.

Buddhism developed in India.

It was influenced by various factors, including the climate.

India’s has distinct wet and dry seasons.

In India, the rainy season starts around July and lasts for 3 or 4 months.

Buddhists monks adopted the custom of remaining in one location during this time.

Staying in one location is less dangerous than being out and about, wandering the countryside.

Plant and grass seeds often germinate after rain. Many small creatures also become active.

So by staying in the one place, monks are likely to do less damage to all critters active during the rainy season.

The rains period is often associated with a more intense period of monastic training. There is less interaction with the lay community. There is time for even more meditation practice or sutta study.

Monks are often brought together. It is an opportunity for them to discuss matters of the dhamma amongst themselves.

At the end the rains retreat, the pavarana ceremony is held. Here, monks are expected to confess any breaches of the precepts to one other. Other monks are allowed to point out issues with behaviour. This is not meant to be about humiliating other monks. It is an opportunity for the monks to accept criticism, learn and improve their conduct.

Monks or nuns who have observed the full rains retreat are offered a new kathina robe. Giving a monastic a new robe is considered a merit-making activity.

So if the monks at your local Buddhist center have suddenly gone, don’t be unduly worried. Chances are they have gone on their rains retreat and will reappear as suddenly as they disappeared.