The annual forty days “summer rain retreat” (yarne) started August 10th at Shechen monasteries and nunnery in Nepal and Bhutan.

Yarne comes from the Indian custom of retreat established by the Buddha in the Vinaya Sutra. This is the first year yarne will be observed at the Shechen nunnery in Bhutan. Originally, the retreat was three months long during the summer monsoon. This retreat arose as a practical response to the monsoons and functioned as a way to avoid stepping on the numerous insects that came with the rains. Now, Shechen does a Tibetan version of a one and a half month retreat.

During this time the monks do not leave the monastery grounds and they observe other special vows and restrictions. The regular twice-daily group prayers continue as usual. Many monks take vows not to eat at night in accordance with the Shravakayana tradition.

If you are interested in supporting this retreat click here to contribute. For a list of traditional offerings click here.

Photos of yarne from Shechen Monastery in Nepal (above) and Shechen Nunnery in Bhutan (below).