I realize I've been remiss in not mentioning that Vassa, the rains retreat, began this week in most of southeast Asia, and probably some other places as well. Vassa is a tradition begun by the Buddha, when he realized that large numbers of disciples tromping around the country during rainy season damaged crops, and probably the disciples also.
So it became the practice of the Buddha's first monks and nuns to find a place to shelter during rainy season and live as a community. One of the Buddha's lay disciples, Anathapindika, built a permanent rains retreat shelter that is thought to have been the first Buddhist monastery.
My understanding is that today during Vassa, Theravada monastics remain in their monasteries and devote more time to study and meditation. It is traditional to not travel unless there is something important that monks must attend to. Laypeople are encouraged to bring food and other supplies to the monks. so that they have what they need.
Mahayana Buddhism spread into parts of Asia with no rainy season. For this reason, in many schools of Mahayana Vassa evolved into an intensive practice period that might be observed any time of year.
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