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Three-Month Rainy Retreat Concludes at Royal Buddha Vihara

3 Months ago   October 29, 2024   Visted:123  

Lumbini, Oct, 17

The three-month-long Rainy Retreat and religious observances at the birthplace of Lord Buddha in Lumbini concluded on Thursday. The ceremony, held at the Royal Buddha Vihara, was led by Vihara's Chief Abbot Sagar Dhamma, who delivered a Dhamma discourse marking the end of the retreat.

The Rainy Retreat, observed for three months during the monsoon season, involves monks, devotees, and laypeople gathering in a safe space to engage in religious practices, as it is challenging to undertake spiritual journeys during unfavorable weather conditions. This tradition has been observed in Lumbini for the past eight years, with a local community committee coordinating the event each year.

During the retreat, managed by the Buddhist Women's Committee, daily religious activities such as Dhamma teachings and pujas were conducted. Bhikkhu Sagar Dhamma emphasized that the retreat, spanning from Ashadh Purnima to Ashwin Purnima for 90 days, aims to highlight Lord Buddha's teachings dedicated to the welfare of all beings at Buddha’s birthplace in Lumbini.

He shared that, over the past eight years, the retreat has engaged the local community in taking the Panchasila (five precepts) vows, Buddha pujas, and Dhamma teachings, connecting them with Buddha’s teachings. Bhikkhu Dhamma stressed the need for more religious programs in Lumbini, given its significance as a religious tourism site.

 

During the concluding program, Deputy Mayor Kalpana Harijan of Lumbini Cultural Municipality, Associate Professor Bhikkhu Siri Wajira of Lumbini Buddhist University, Senior Vice President Lilamani Sharma of Lumbini Hotel Association Nepal, Coordinator Mira Sapkota Gautam, and Co-coordinator Sirjana Pangeni highlighted the importance of developing Lumbini as a spiritual center for the local community.