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Q-01: Bhante, I’m just curious; we know that the monks cannot travel during the rainy retreat, vassa. But I quite often find the monks travelling. Is there any valid reason for them to travel during vassa?

An MV Devotee

A-01:  I believe that you know and understand why monks observe vassa. While it is true that monks are discouraged to travel during vassa without a valid reason, there are times and occasions when it is necessary for a monk to travel. Examples of occasions are when a monk has to travel

1)    to do charity work,

2)    to listen to the Dhamma,

3)    to pay homage to the Buddha,

4)    when a fellow monk is not well and he has to look after him,

5)    when a fellow monk is not happy in monkhood and is considering to disrobe to leave the Order of Sangha. Thus, the monk must travel to counsel and to remind him to consider carefully before he makes the decision,

6)    when a fellow monk is having a wrong view and he has to correct and teach him,

7)    when his parents are not well (even without invitation), and

8)    when his siblings are not well.

The monk concerned must return to the temple where he would observe vassa before the dawn of the seventh day (morning). (Vassupanayikkhandhaka, Vinaya Mahavagga)

With Metta,

Bhante U Cittara

Read more about the rains-retreat. (Amending the document.)

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Dhamma Questions are answered by Bhante U Cittara, resident monk of Mangala Vihara, and his assistant monks. Questions and comments on given answers are welcome. Send your questions and comments to resident_monk@mangalavihara.org.sg.