Rain‑softened paths and the quiet of Āsāḷha Pūrṇimā at Arañya Sangharāma
As the monsoon deepened over the forests of Aranya Sangharama, the month of July brought with it calm movements—of rain-softened ground and rain-humbled hearts. The Āsāḷha full moon, or Guru Pūrṇimā, marked the start of Vassa and a time to honour the Lord Buddha’s first teaching and the formation of the Sangha.
It was a month shaped by shared practice, service and community interactions.
🌕 Āsāḷha / Guru Pūrṇimā: One Full Moon, Many Offerings
Moments of reverence during Āsāḷha Pūrṇimā at Arañya Sangharāma
Thursday, July 10, was observed as Āsāḷha Pūrṇimā (also popularly known as Guru Pūrṇimā)—a day of dual significance. In the Theravāda world, it commemorates the Buddha’s teachings of the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, the first turning of the Dhamma wheel. In parts of India, it is also a day to honour one’s teachers—Guru‑vandana. In this resonance, the day felt whole: gratitude for the Enlightened One, and for all those who have kept the light burning since.
Aranya Sangharama held a special four‑day program (July 10–13) to mark this occasion. Guests, villagers, and the resident Saṅgha joined in for early morning meditations, alms rounds through muddy paths and mindful chores. As it was also Uposatha day, lay guests were welcomed to witness the Pātimokkha recital—the timeless recitation of the monastic rules that have been preserved right from the time of the Lord Buddha.
As evening fell, the hall came alive with chanting and Dhamma reflections. In a unique initiative, the Sangha at Aranya Sangharama decided to strengthen the pariyatti by hosting a Dhamma quiz—this time, with questions asked by the monastics to the lay visitors. Topics ranged from the Buddha’s life and key suttas to the lives of teachers in the Thai forest tradition, such as those at Wat Pah Nanachat. It became a joyful and reflective way to unlearn and relearn, opening doors of inquiry.
An evening of reflection and recitation
The day concluded with a midnight recitation of the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta—in Pāli, Hindi, and English—offered with hearts leaning inward.
🌧️ A Season of Seclusion: Entering the Rains
Mindful footsteps mark the start of Vassa at Arañya Sangharāma
The next day was the formal beginning of the Vassa. With this, the resident monks declared their intention to stay within the monastery boundaries for the three‑month rains retreat—a tradition that stretches back to the Buddha’s time.Different members of the Saṅgha have made their adhiṭṭhāna to deepen practice in various ways—whether through sitting meditation, walking meditation, or chanting practice.
Inspired by the dedication of the Sangha, some members of the lay community have also undertaken their own adhiṭṭhāna: a thorough pariyatti and paṭipatti study and practice of the Mahāsatipaṭṭhāna Sutta via the Zoom-based group.
Further, as far as the monastery guidelines are concerned, visitors are now being invited to deepen their practice by observing the Eight Precepts during their stay, particularly limiting the use of phones. This is now a regular part of the visitor’s guidelines at Aranya Sangharama.
🏡 Drawing the Lineage: Celebrating Guru Pūrṇimā with the Village
Creativity and joy with the villagers of Rampur Gainda
On Sunday, July 13, the final day of the program, the monastery hosted a special Guru Pūrṇimā gathering for the villagers of Rampur Gainda. The Dhamma Hall transformed into a sanctuary of colour and creativity.
Children sat in small groups, crayons and sketchbooks in hand, drawing images of the Buddha, Ajahn Chah’s portrait, and forest kutis nestled in trees. Some copied the Dhammacakka symbol; others crafted their own visions of peace and refuge.
Adults joined too—some shyly offering their own drawings, others simply sitting in reverent stillness. There was laughter, yes—but also something deeper.
Ajahn Guṇakaro offered a heartfelt sharing of his own path. His story seemed to touch many hearts, not only offering inspiration, but reminding the villagers that the Dhamma is not distant—it lives in those who turn inward, even in simple ways. This was followed by a slideshow on the significance of the day.
🎨 The Colors of Dhamma: Children, Art, and Curiosity
Little hands, bright colors, and quiet joy at Arañya Saṅgharāma
Even outside formal events, the monastery continues to welcome the footsteps of children. On many days, young visitors arrive with curiosity and are offered blank or printed pages to color—images from Jātaka tales, Dhamma wheels, or forest scenes.
Stories came alive in colored pencil, shaping the interest of little ones with purpose.
🌱 Protecting and Restoring the Land
Stone walls and check dams aiding rainwater conservation
During the Vassa, we have temporarily paused the restoration project with satisfactory progress made since May. With check dams, gabion walls and stone‑lined nallas now in place, the efforts are already showing fruit — helping to prevent soil erosion and slow down water runoff, giving the earth time to drink. These stone contours not only shape the land but also gradually cradle new green growth, lending the monastery’s surroundings a sense of renewal. Slowly, these walls and channels are forming natural nooks — places where the air is cool, the ground soft underfoot, and the landscape holds a beauty.
In addition to stone structures, the restoration effort also includes planting a large number of trees, soil‑holding bushes and grasses on the monastery land.
There’s a stillness to these spaces, as if nature itself were pausing to reflect.
🍂 Looking Ahead: Whispers of a Historic Kaṭhina
Arañya Saṅgharāma in the quiet of the rains
With Vassa underway, thoughts begin to turn toward its conclusion—the Kaṭhina ceremony. Luang Por Liem and Ajahn Kevali from Thailand will grace the occasion with their presence. If so, it would mark a historic moment for Aranya Sangharama—a gathering of generations, a flowering of the seeds now being tended. See details here: Kathina ceremony with Luang Por Liem
As July merges into August, the monastery remains tucked in the heart of the forest—preparing for its own kind of post‑monsoon season, as experienced in northern India. A unique kind of autumn: some days with soothing wind, some with mild drizzle, and others hot and humid.
July brought with it more than just the rains—it opened the door to a season of inward turning. Inspired by the Buddha’s encouragement for deep practice during the Vassa, Aranya Sangharama too has embraced this retreat period as a time for reflection, solitude, and cultivation of the path.
Visiting and Supporting Arañya Saṅgharāma
🙏 Visiting: Through the period of the Vassa i.e. 12 July to 7 October, there will be a pause on formal events in Aranya Sangharama. However, the monastery continues to function as usual. We warmly welcome visitors to partake the serene atmosphere of the monastery cooled by gentle rain. It is also a great period to help with maintaining the large number of saplings that have been planted this season.
To visit Saṅgharāma, please click here: Visiting Arañya Sangharāma
💛 Supporting: With five monastics in residence and visitors arriving from across India, Aranya Sangharama Monastery is steadily growing. Your support can help in three meaningful ways:
- Monthly operations (the monastery spends ₹1.25–1.5 lakhs/month for requisites, maintenance and other ongoing needs)
- Post facto contribution to land purchase & Kalyāṇmitra Bhavan (₹2.71 crores remains outstanding towards the purchase of the land for the monastery as well as timely completion of Kalyāṇmitra Bhavan. This is a meritorious opportunity to share in this great puñña)
- Development projects (from time to time, specific projects are undertaken to develop facilities in the monastery. In July the following projects were undertaken – improved ventilation of the toilets and the dormitories, repair of boundary wall, purchase of an inverter for the guest house, creation of storage space in the kitchen. Cumulatively, these incurred an expenditure of ₹.219,200)
There is thus a continued opportunity for all Upāsikās and Upāsakās to contribute to the maintenance, protection and development of the monastery, as also to post facto contribute to the highly meritorious activity of “purchase of the land for the monastery and construction of the Kalyāṇmitra bhavan”.
Your contributions will help sustain, protect, and develop this Dhamma sanctuary.
See details here: Offering a donation
Each offering is an act of lasting merit.
Content courtesy: Yashika Pokhriyal | Photo credit: Miscellaneous