Rainy Season Retreat Tradition
2,500 years ago Buddhist monks and nuns gathered every year for a period of community practice at the Jeta Grove. Traditionally this retreat happened during the monsoon when travel was difficult, so it was known as the “Vasa” – the Rainy Season retreat. For many years the Buddha and his senior disciples would lead the retreat and offer teachings.
Every January the San Francisco Buddhist Center honors this tradition by offering a special Rainy Season retreat for Order Members, Mitras and people who have a strong commitment to practice with our Sangha. We set aside our usual program of classes and activities so that we have a quiet period of practice and shared friendship with our core sangha.
2025
In January 2025 our theme is the “Rainy Season in the Jeta Grove.” Between January 8th and January 29th we will imaginatively connect with our Dharma ancestors and focus on meditation practices, stories, images and teachings that originated during the retreats at the Jeta Grove.
We will have a special focus on foundational meditation practices. On Wednesday nights there will be meditation, chanting and talks, and on Saturday mornings we will offer two meditation sessions on the hour starting at 10:00 a.m. There will also be opportunities for meditation interviews and study for anyone who is interested.
There will also be a Full Moon Puja on Friday night, January 10th.
We will open the Rainy Season on January 8th with a potluck dinner at 6pm and a meditation and puja. Just like our Dharma ancestors we will have a chance to reflect on our practice since the last Rainy Season and share our aspirations for the coming year.
In Person Only
We will be meeting and practicing in person at the Center without a hybrid zoom connection, although there may be some opportunities for on-line study.
(We will reunite with our zoom friends when our regular Wednesday Sangha Nights will resume February 5.)
Please check our safety requirements.
Basic Schedule
Wednesday Night Gatherings, January 8, 15, 22 and 29, 7pm to 9pm
January 8 begins with a potluck at 6pm
Each evening at 7pm we will have a meditation, followed by a Talk/Presentation, Discussion Groups, along the lines of our regular Sangha Nights but in person and with more of a retreat feel.
We encourage everyone to come to all or most of these Wednesday nights.
Friday Morning Meditations, 7:30am to 8:15am
Open meditation with bells at the beginning and end.
Saturday Meditations Jan 11, 18 and 25
2 meditations starting on the hour (10am, 11am)
Refuge Tree practice for GFR Mitras and Order Members only at 9am
Friday Pujas
January 10 Full Moon Puja
More events coming, including:
Meditation reviews and Study
Donations
Donations are very much appreciated. We suggest $50 to $100 for the whole retreat. For payment methods see this page.