P12, P13 Unit 5

Important Buddhist Days

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Dhammasavana Day – Holy Buddhist days Dhammasava Day or Wan Phra: Falls on the 8th and 15th day Of the Waxing Moon and the Waning

Moon o (in the lunar calendar)

Buddhists go to the temples and

perform wholesome acts Meditate in order to purify their

minds

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In Thailand, merit-making and listening sermons have been practiced since the Sukhotai period (as recorded in the inscriptions made by the King Ramkhamhaeng the Great, 1239-1298 CE). At that time Buddhism was very prosperous. King Ramkhamhaeng had a Dharma Hall built, where monks were invited to preach sermons to his court officials. King Ramkhamhaeng would also encourage his subjects to go to the temples and listen to the Dharma teachings.

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At that time, people regarded Dhammasava Day as a day for merit-making and to support Buddhist monks that often were their own offspring. That practice became popular and has been followed ever since

During Dhammasava Day Buddhists follow the threefold principles: Dana – offer food and supplies to monks Sila – observe the 8 precepts (or the basic 5) Bhavana – mental training or meditation, at a temple

During these days, interdependence is strengthened: People give monks all they need and renovate temples Monks offer sermons and advices for a better way of life

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Vassa Rains Retreat (1)(2)

In Thai:

วนัเขา้พรรษา – Wan Khao Phansa – [day - enter - rainy season]

Period of time: Falls on the 1st day of the waning moon of the 8th lunar month It continues up to the 15th (or a full moon) of the 11th lunar month

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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.

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The Vassa retreat is timed to coincide with the monsoon rains of India and Southeast Asia.

Many Mahayana Buddhist(3) 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 Buddha's day, Vassa was observed by both men and women. There are few Theravada Buddhist nuns today, so let’s focus mostly on monks:

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Origin of the Rains Retreat The first Buddhist monks and nuns did not live in monasteries. In the India of 25 centuries ago there had long been a tradition of wandering mendicant "holy men" who took shelter in forests. Most of the time the Buddha and his disciples followed this tradition. They traveled in groups from village to village, offering teachings, receiving alms, and sleeping beneath the branches of trees.

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But much of India had monsoon seasons then, just as it does today. Usually, the rain begins sometime in June or July and continues until sometime in September or October. The incessant downpour didn't just make travel difficult for the Buddha and his monks. Small animals that come out in the rain -- leeches, snails, worms, frogs -- could be crushed underfoot. Occasionally monks traveling in the rains damaged newly planted rice paddies (unintentional killing and destruction). To spare animals and crops, the Buddha established a rule that monks and nuns would not travel during the monsoon rains.

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Instead, they would dwell together and practice as a community. This practice proved to be beneficial, providing more time for teaching and guidance for younger disciples.

The Beginnings of Monasticism At first, the Buddha and his disciples would spend the rains retreat wherever they were offered shelter, sometimes at the estates of wealthy benefactors. The lay disciple Anathapindika is credited with building the first permanent building complex dedicated to housing monks during Vassa.

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Anathapindika (A “man who shares his portion of rice with the poor”)

(https://assimacontece.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/m1-period-6-and-7-buddhas-disciples2.pdf, page 17)

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Even though the Buddha and his disciples didn't stay there year-round, this complex was, in effect, the first Buddhist monastery. Today, readers of the sutras may notice that the Buddha delivered many of his sermons "in the Jeta Forest, in Anathapindika's Monastery." The rains retreat became a time for more intensive practice. The Buddha also placed great emphasis on living together harmoniously.

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Asalha Puja Asalha Puja, sometimes called "Dharma Day," is a celebration held the day before Vassa begins. 1 - It commemorates the Buddha's first sermon, recorded in the Suttapitaka as the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta. This means "setting the wheel of dharma in motion." In this sermon, the Buddha explained his doctrine of the Four Noble Truths. This is the foundation of all Buddhist teaching.

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2 - It also commemorates the fact that Anna Kondanna (the leader of the Five Ascetics) attained profound comprehension of the Buddhist Dharma (Arhat). Having attained Arhat, he became the first Buddhist monk. 3 – In this day, the Triple Gem was completed, being this fact the 3rd reason to celebrate. Asalha Puja takes place on the full moon day of the 8th lunar month, called Asalha. This is an auspicious day for laypeople to bring offerings to temples and stay to listen to sermons.

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In some places, the monks chant the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta in the evening as they keep a full-moon vigil.

Keeping Vassa Traditionally, on the first day of Vassa, each monk formally declares he will remain in residence in the temple for the three-month period. A monk may engage in regular temple duties that take him outside its walls, but he must return by nightfall. If an unforeseen circumstance requires a monk to travel he may be allowed to do so, but he must return within seven days.

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Strictly speaking, the monks are not "cloistered"; they may interact with lay people as much as they usually do. Laypeople also make commitments to Vassa, usually to step up alms-giving and to give up some kind of indulgences, such as drinking or smoking. Some people call Vassa "Buddhist Lent," although that's not really accurate.

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Pavarana and Kathina On the full moon day of the 11th lunar month, Vassa ends with the observance of Pavarana. Monks assemble together, and one by one they tell the assembly where their practice fell short, or when they might have given offense. Each monk invites the assembly to reprimand him. If there is a reprimand, it is to be compassionate and instructive. Vassa closes with the Devorohana ceremony, which welcomes the Buddha back from celestial realms.

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Following Vassa is Kathina, a month-long observance in which it is traditional for laypeople to make offerings of cloth for new robes.

Other important days: Magha Puja On that day, Buddha preached the Ovadapatimok, and there were 4 important events called Chaturangasannibat, on which 1250 monks (who were Arhats ordained by Buddha), attended the meeting without prior appointment. It took place on the full moon day of the 3th lunar month (Gagha).

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This Magha Puka ceremony can be performed in 4 different styles:

Royal

Government

In a temple

By laypeople The main sermon focus in some core teaching dealing with:

Abstaining from the evil

Accumulating good deeds

Purifying one’s mind

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Visakha Puja The day when Buddhist celebrate 3 major events:

Buddha’s birth

His enlightenment

His passing away Buddha was born in Lumbini Park, between Kapilavastu City and Devadaha City, on a full moon of the 6th month (Visakha), 80 years prior to the Buddhist Era. Buddha attained the Four Noble Truths at Buddhagyan Sub-district near Rajgriha, Magadha State, on a full moon of the 6th month (Visakha), 45 years prior to the Buddhist Era.

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Buddha attained Nirvana (therefore passing away) at Sala Forest, Kusinara City, Malla State, on a full moon of the 6th month (Visakha), 1 year prior to the Buddhist Era.

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To know more: (1) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vassa

(2) - https://www.thoughtco.com/vassa-450114

(3) - https://www.thoughtco.com/mahayana-buddhism-overview-450004