The Origin of the Vassa | Appamado Bhikkhu

In the time of the Buddha, in India, it was common for individuals to wander
through the mountains, plains and villages, in search of places
with sufficient seclusion for his solitary spiritual practice. Many
When people learn of the existence of these renouncers,
helped them in their livelihood so that they could
Completely surrender to your spiritual practices. Sometimes, when they see that
one of these beings had developed much wisdom, they sought him in
Find answers to your existential questions. Thus it was created
a sustainable harmony between the renouncer and the local populations.
There were also many who, seeing a wise being, wanted him.
to follow and with him learn the key to liberation from the wheel of life and
death.
It was in this spirit and epoch that the Buddha lived, and as such, many were
those who followed him to listen and practice his teachings. A
At one point a monastic order was initiated, since the renouncers
followers of the Buddha live under a certain code of conduct and
doctrine.
Thus the life of the early monks was an itinerant life, in which
They walked from village to village, teaching, craving food, and sleeping.
in the open air, with the canopy of the trees as a ceiling.
But during the rainy Indian summer (monsoon) this was a practice
arduous. The Buddha also realized that due to the increasing number of
of his followers, the crops were in danger of being damaged by
hundreds and hundreds of monks touring the fields of the country,
It also endangers the lives of the numerous insects that exist at this time.
of the year. Therefore, for all this and to maintain a sense of cohesion between the
monasticism, the Buddha declared that during this season they should
stay fixed in a certain place, this is also a season
retreat for the monks, where they could devote themselves more intensely
The study and practice of meditation. It is also during this period
Younger monks have the opportunity to receive instruction.

of those who have more experience. This period is called vassal,
Pali word meaning ‘rain’.
Sometimes the people with the greatest possessions offered shelter to the monks.
in their properties. Eventually, some of these
people built permanent houses for the monks, who were to be
prototypes of the first monasteries.
With the unfolding of time the monks passed and be in shape
more permanently in monasteries, given the forested and rural areas
have diminished, while continuing the tradition of going to the
Villages make ‘the round of souls’, which is what the monks say.
go through the villages, taking their gamela, so that in this way who
If you want to offer food, you can do it, and anyone who is interested can do it.
ask questions.
The vassal begins the day after the full moon of the eighth lunar month of the year.
Buddhist calendar, which usually coincides with the month of July,
This is the date on which the first speech by the
Buddha to his disciples. Ends on the fifteenth day of the fourth
Eleventh lunar month, usually in October.
While for monks the time of the vassal implies rules and
specific restrictions aimed at intensifying their spiritual practice, in order to
the laity this is an opportunity not only to give new encouragement to their
practice but also in which many decide to leave some habit that
Consider it harmful, such as smoking, eating meat or drinking drinks
alcoholics. Often these decisions are a turning point in life.
of being. It is also customary to have temporary ordinations during
the vassal, in which individuals can experience monastic life,
It follows the code of discipline and internalizes the principles of the Dhamma.