Start of the Rains Retreat (Vassa) · Vassa

Culture of origin: Buddhist · Cultural

Holiday sources: Buddhism

Vassa, the Theravada rains retreat, begins on the first day of the waning moon of the eighth lunar month and lasts three lunar months, during which monks stay in one place, some in intensive meditation. The custom is older than the Buddha: ascetics in India stopped travelling in the rainy season so as not to harm crops, insects or themselves. In Thailand lay people offer candles to the temples, and alcohol is not sold on the first day.