Vassa

Vassa, also called the Rains Retreat, is a 3 month long rainy season observance followed mainly by Theravada Buddhists, which starts the day after Asalha Puja. It is sometimes known as the Buddhist Lent, after the Christian festival of the same name. The name Vassa is taken from the Pali word "vasso" meaning rain. In Thailand, it is known as pansa or phansaa.

During Vassa Buddhist monks remain in a single place and dedicate themselves to meditation and study of the Dharma. Many Theravadin monks quote the number of Vassa retreats they have observed when asked how long they have been monks.

Lay Buddhists may also make special arrangements for Vassa, such as abstaining from meat, sweets, alcohol or smoking, fasting during the day or spending more time in devotional practice. Some, particularly in Asia, go so far as actually taking monastic vows, only returning to their normal life at the end of Vassa.

The first day of Vassa is called Wan Kao Pansa in Thailand. It is traditional to donate candles and other useful items to temples and monasteries on this day.

Vassa starts on the full moon of the eighth month of the old Indian calendar and finishes on the full moon of the eleventh month, which is called Pavarana.

See also Buddhism

If you're looking for a way to commemorate this event, you might be interested in this article: Commemorations with Cross Stitch