(Image credit: Eddie Crimmins, flickr.com, Creative Commons License)
Theravada monastics are about to begin the annual three-month "rains retreat," Vassa. I understand Vassa begins officially with the first waning moon day of the eighth lunar month, which I believe is August 2.
Yes, this is true Barbara, we started yesterday. I am currently in a Theravada Buddhist temple in Phoenix Arizona. We had lots of visitors yesterday from across the US. One Thai couple was from Alaska down here visiting with some relatives. We actually will hold the celebration this Sunday, since this is the US and everybody here works and it’s not considered a National holiday like it is in Thailand. We will also celebrate Asalha Bucha day the same time.