Rains

 

   The last Full Moon, one week ago, was the holiday of Asalha Puja, or Dharma Day.  It celebrates the Buddha's first discourse, in which he taught the Four Tasks and the Eightfold Path.  The day after is the beginning of the Rains Retreat in countries of Hinayana/ Theravada Buddhism, where monks stay close to their monasteries for the next three months due to the Rainy Monsoon starting and thus making travel difficult. 

   The skies are usually overcast now, and it may rain at any time, sometimes hard.  Although the humidity is still with us, it is much more comfortable now, since the sun is blocked and there are often fine breezes.  An umbrella is indispensable when venturing out. 

-Zenwind. 

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