July 16 – Bylakuppe, India | Annually, in commemoration of the Rainy Seasons Retreat, all the monks and nuns remain within the grounds of the monastery for a month and a half, some three months, during the yearly rainy season.
It is said that Buddha Shakyamuni started this tradition for his monastic assembly, to prevent them from walking over and crushing insects and worms outside the monastic grounds during the rainy months of the year.
Inside the monastery, the monastics receive vow and do confessions, recite Sutras and do more intensive practices. They also eat their meals together within the monastic grounds.
monks and nuns receiving vow while kneeling
monks kneeling and receiving vows from their preceptor
eating as one assembly
praying before the meal
serving the meal
serving the meal
serving the meal
