The Buddha required monastics to, for three months of every year, stay in one location and put aside traveling for a time. Though formally the Rains Retreat, or vassa, takes place during India’s monsoon season, in the US and Europe, a similar period of retreat is generally observed during the quiet winter months. As a time of practice and study, it represents an important period of stepping back for monastics during which they can focus on formal meditation.
Clear Mountain’s monastics maintain this tradition, and Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho will be observing the Winter Retreat for approximately three months from mid-January to mid-April. While they’ll still attend alms round, Saturday gatherings, Wednesday livestreams, and Sunday Mission Majjhima sessions as usual, they will step back as much as possible from all other commitments, events, and online communication. The encouragement many of you have given for the monastics to look after their practice through such periods of retreat and pulling back has been deeply heartening. During that period, emails or communication can be sent to the monastery email steward at friendsofclearmountain@gmail.com. Sadhu!
“These are the roots of trees,” the Buddha said, “O bhikkhus, these are empty huts. Meditate, bhikkhus, do not be negligent, or else you will regret it later. This is our instruction to you.”
