Vassāvāsa Invitation

The Pāli term Vassāvāsa refers to the rains retreat. In the Theravāda school it is customary for monastics to observe three months of retreat, from the Esala full moon in July until the Vap full moon in October. These were the rainy months in ancient northern India in the time of the Buddha, when travel was difficult, so monastics remained in one place and gave themselves fully to practice.

The occasion is a meritorious one for the lay community, who support the monastics closely through the three months. Monastics observe the retreat at the invitation of the laity.

Programme: 6.45pm evening pūjā, 7.45pm Vassāvāsa invitation, 8.00pm Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta.