Pavāraṇā Day

Location: Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery

Description: On PavāraṇāDay monastic communities all over the world will end the Vassa, the traditional rains retreat coinciding with the monsoon season in Asia. The PavāraṇāDay, or Invitation Day, is a time where the monks invite feedback from each other and ask for forgiveness for any wrong doing after having practiced together for three months. The Vassa is a period of the year when monastics establish a boundary and determine to stay in one location for the period of three months, in this case, Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery. During the Vassa monks are able to travel and give teachings, but can't be away from their established residence for more than six nights. This is usually a time of heightened practice and also involves formal study of the Vinaya, or code of monastic discipline.

Full Moon Observance Day

Description: Abhayagiri's Lunar Observance Day There is no morning meditation or work period on the Lunar Observance Days. Monastics walk for alms in Ukiah and Redwood Valley starting at 9 a.m. A small group of monks enters Ukiah and walks north on State Street from approximately 9:00-10:30 am accepting offerings of alms food as is the daily custom in Theravada Buddhist countries. They can be met in front of the Safeway grocery store (on the sidewalk along State St.) around 9:15 am, or in Alex Thomas Plaza in the city center around 9:30 am. Another group of monks walks north East Road from the Redwood Valley town center starting at 8:40 am. A third group walks along Tomki Road, through the local Frey Vineyards. Evening chanting, meditation, taking of the precepts and a Dhamma talk will take place at Abhayagiri from 7:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. The evening continues with a meditation vigil through the night, with sitting and walking meditation as one wishes in half-hour segments. There is an intermission with tea and informal discussion at midnight, then sitting and walking resume until morning chanting at 3:00 a.m. Visitors are very welcome to attend as much of the night as they wish.