MORNING PORTION:

“The End of Buddhist Lent”, is a major observance of Theravada Buddhism. It is a time for laypeople to make the most merits with monastic sangha because of the purity of the Saṇgha.

The three months prior, Vassavasa, The Rains Retreat : During the rainy season the Jain (spiritual practice well before the Buddha’s time) mendicants developed the notion of non-injury (ahimsa) and paused their wandering habits. Respecting this as well, the Buddha ordered his followers to pass the rainy season in settled dwellings.

What began simply as a 3-month pause in the practice routines of nomadic monks became an institutional development that would greatly influence laity and monastic cooperation.

Often, the rains-retreat practice is not limited within the Buddhist Saṅgha, but lay followers can be found observing the period. During “Buddhist Lent”, lay followers take certain vows and observe rigorously, engaging in activities such as: providing alms food to monastic Sangha, giving up smoking and intoxicants, observing the eight precepts, practicing meditation, chanting Buddhist Suttas and listening to Dhamma talks. At the end of the rains-retreat the Buddhist Sangha performs a special ceremony called the pavaraṇa, where each one invites his fellows to point out any mistakes committed during the retreat period.

• With the conclusion of that ceremony, which may be extended out to the laity as well (Mahā-pavaraṇa), the Saṅgha is considered to be in it’s most pure state.

It is well documented in the texts that during the rains-retreat, many monks and nuns achieved spiritual goals. The rains-retreat affirms that both monastic and lay community have developed over time in mutual co-operation and observance of the Buddha’s teachings.

Undoubtedly, with the institutionalization of the rains-retreat, the Buddhist Sangha has performed an important role in the development of Buddhism.

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EVENING PORTION:

Loi Khathong - Releasing of baggage downstream.

This is the temple’s version of the Nationally acclaimed Rhode Island Water-Fire Event

Devotees “padākina” or circumambulating towards the right around the Sīmā 3 times, while chanting the “Itipiso…” (Homage to the Triple Gem) with the monks.

Ending with the release of the decorative floats inside the Koi-fish pond.

The floats represent bad karma from past, which to be released. The “candle” lights represent offerings to past relatives to see the light be free of suffering.