Rains Retreat Schedule 'Vassa' at Dhammagiri 30/07 to 26/10

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, that's from Thu 30 July until Mon 26 October 2025.

We are not allowed to travel during this time, except for a 6 days allowance ('Sattāha') in special circumstances. For instance, this vassa Ajahn Dīpako will be on a visa run to Bodhinyanarama for a couple of days beginning October, as his visa doesn't last through the whole vassa. All energy is devoted to cultivate bhāvanā. Here at Dhammagiri, we stop all external projects like building & maintenance work, during this time.

We're keeping Noble Silence ('Ariyo Tuṇhī-Bhāvo') as much as possible, as it is one of the most important supportive conditions to develop samatha meditation.

We still continue all our regular sessions:

• Every day after the meal

• Every Saturday morning 07.30 am Chanting, Refuge & Precepts

• Every Sunday afternoon 03.00 pm Chanting, Meditation, Reflection

• Sunday closest to Full Moon One Day Retreat 8.30 am to 5.00 pm

• However, we do keep the Dhammadiscussion after the meal short (about 30 min max), to minimize the need to talk for the senior monk, and allow him to get back to his kuti early to refocus his mind on internal silence.

• We do the sessions mostly in Q&A form, rather than delivering a formal "sermon". Please don't feel shy to ask questions, or else the session may be quite short ;-)

The Rains Retreat period is also traditionally used by the lay community to enhance their level of practice; e.g. by offfering dana more regularly, or by finally sorting out any possible weaknesses in one's observance of precepts, or by attending meditation teachings at the monastery.

You may even like to make a specific resolution for these three months:

• For instance, you may determine to sit every day at least half an hour in formal meditation.

• Or you may consider joining our small group who observes 8 or 5 precepts every Saturday morning 7.30 am, and then meditates quietly in the Dhammahall.

• Or perhaps you like to brush up on your chanting practice, maybe even committing some chants to memory - chanting books (both Vol 1 & 2) are available at Dhammagiri for free distribution.

Anumodanā for your generous support, providing us monks with such excellent conditions for practice;

and blessings to you all for smooth and diligent cultivation of bhāvanā during the rains retreat 🧘‍♂️😊🧘‍♀️😇