Dhammasala Forest Monastery

Asalha Puja and the Rains Retreat

Dhammasala Forest Monastery Perry MI

Saturday July 20, 2019

Asalha is the lunar month of July. It is a celebration of the Buddha’s first Dhamma talk given to the five former ascetics whom he once practiced with. This first Dhamma talk is called the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta (the turning of the Dhamma wheel). This Sutta is concerned with the middle way between self-torture and a life of pleasure. The Buddha went on to explain the Four Noble Truths and lays out the teaching for the first time. The end of this talk was beginning of the teaching and the beginning of the order of monks. This took place on a full moon night at the deer refuge at the meeting place of the seers near Varanasi. Also Saturday is the beginning of the rains-retreat for Buddhist monks. The rains-retreat lasts for three months and is a time when monks do not travel unless it is Dhamma business. The rains retreat time is a time for renewed effort in practice.

Program:

10:00 AM Receiving the five precepts and listening to chanting.

10:30 AM The monks will go on alms round.

11:00 AM Food offerings to the monks.

12:00 PM Everyone enjoys a lunch. (Please bring a dish to pass.)

12:30 PM The donation tree and goods will be offered to the temple.

1:00 PM Dhamma talks in both Thai and English.

2019 Dhammasala Schedule of Events

Every day – Food Offering to Monks 10:30 am to noon
Saturdays – Dhamma Class 5:30 to 6:30 PM