Rains Retreat (Vassa) Invitation Ceremony 2026
We warmly invite you to join us in observing the Dawn of the Āsāḷha Full-Moon Day and the Rains Retreat Invitation Ceremony (Vassūpanāyikā), one of the most significant occasions in the Buddhist calendar. The Āsāḷha Full-Moon Day commemorates a profound turning point in the Buddha’s dispensation: the occasion on which the Blessed One first proclaimed the Dhamma and set in motion the path leading from suffering to liberation.
This sacred day also marks the beginning of the annual Three-Month Rains Retreat (Vassa). During this period, Buddhist monastics renew their commitment to disciplined study, dedicated meditation, and the cultivation of wisdom for the direct realisation of truth.
For lay practitioners, the Rains Retreat offers a valuable opportunity to deepen personal practice through generosity (dāna), ethical conduct (sīla), meditation (bhāvanā), and the study of the Buddha’s teachings. It is also a meaningful time to support the monastic Saṅgha in their spiritual endeavours.
The Vassa season is therefore a period of mutual encouragement, during which monastics and lay practitioners come together to cultivate the Noble Path towards inner peace, wisdom, and awakening.
Event Details
Date: Wednesday, 29 July 2026
Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Venue: Botley, Oxford, OX2
Full venue details will be shared with registered attendees.
The Evening Programme Will Include
- Reflections on the significance of the Āsāḷha Full-Moon Day and the Rains Retreat
- Guided mindfulness meditation
- The traditional Rains Retreat invitation and observance ceremony with the monastic Saṅgha
- An opportunity for discussion, fellowship, and refreshments
Sponsors
Ms Priyanga Nugegodage and Leo Jayakody
Whether you are new to Buddhism or a long-standing practitioner, you are warmly welcome to join us for this meaningful occasion as we enter a sacred season of learning, meditation, generosity, and the cultivation of wisdom.
We very much look forward to welcoming you.
Thank you! 🙏