Following a tradition that dates back to the Buddha’s time, each year the Plum Village fourfold Sangha has a 3-month Rains Retreat. The monastic brothers and sisters use this time to deepen their practice. This year, on the 17th of September we formally opened the Rains retreat with the Face-to-Face Ceremony at Upper Hamlet. To prepare for this retreat, we also had a Releasing ceremony and Counting Sticks ceremony at our three hamlets. Please enjoy the pictures of these ceremonies.
Sisters sitting together at New Hamlet to share about the spirit of the Rains retreat. We practice dwelling peacefully in the sangha for the next three months by releasing the things that can distract us from the practice, so that we can focus on transforming our unhelpful habits. 
Writing our aspirations and what we would like to release. 
Sending our aspirations into the cosmos with the Buddha, Thay and the Sangha as witnesses 
Counting Sticks Ceremony at Upper Hamlet – to count the number of persons who will commit to practice together with the Sangha for 3 months. 
The Kitchen Inspector Bodhisattva is also present to support us with good health throughout the three months. Without good health, it’s difficult to progress on the path of practice. 
Each stick represents each member who will join the retreat for three months. 
Counting Sticks Ceremony at Lower Hamlet… 
One stick represents Our Teacher (Thay) who will be present with us in spirit. 
Counting Sticks Ceremony at New Hamlet… 
How happy it is
To be with and to practice with the Sangha
This counting stick certifies,
Ninety days of mindfulness practice.
Face-to-Face Ceremony at Upper Hamlet 
Inviting the Prajna bell… 
and the Prajna drum to start the ceremony. 
Incense offering 
Chanting “The Sutra of the Insight that brings us to the Other Shore” 
The Brother and Sisters who represent our Teacher in each hamlet. 
The Abbot, Abbess and representative of the Abbess of each hamlet request to take refuge in the representatives of Thay. 
The whole Sangha requests to take refuge in the elders. 
You can enjoy more photos from Plum Village here.
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