The coming full moon, Āsāḷhā, marks the beginning of the yearly Rains Retreat ('Vassa'). For 3 months, from the full moon of July to the full moon in October, the monks settle down for a period of intensified meditation practice. (This year, from Thursday 14 July until Mon 10 October). They are not allowed to travel during this time (with some emergency exceptions), and all energy is devoted to cultivate bhāvanā. Here at Dhammagiri, we stop all external development projects l