Summer Retreat at Thupten Shedrup Jangchupling Monastery
Ayang Rinpoche’s monastery in Bylakuppe, India has started the yearly Yarney retreat, a custom that dates back to the days of the Buddha.
This retreat was intended for monks to have a place to take refuge from the monsoon rains while also providing them with time to contemplate, pray, meditate, and hear teachings of the dharma.
During the Buddha’s era, the summer retreat was three months long; by remaining at one spot during the rainy season, the monks could avoid accidentally stepping on and harming the many creatures that reproduce during this time.
The festivities at Thubten Shedrup Jangchupling, Yarney commence on the full moon of the sixth month of the lunar calendar and last for 45 days, ending on the new moon of the seventh month of the lunar calendar, from August 1 to September 14.
