[Soolfelpecelf]

A question for my learned friends: I am reading Ajahn Chah's book 'Food for the Heart.' He has talked about Rains Retreats several times, usually talking about how many a monk has done or the behavior of monks during the retreats. I understand from an internet search that this is a retreat held during the rainy season in a country, when the monks would return to a temple and stay for a time.

I understand the basics of this type of retreat, but was wondering about the deeper significance- is this seen as a time to deepen one's practice? Do intensive study of suttas or other texts? I appreciate any insight you can give me

With metta,
monkey

[Plonnikas]

According to my understanding, monks take shelter in a monastery during the rainy seasons because wandering in the woods is usually difficult and even hazardous due to bad weather. I think India also gets monsoon rains, causing floods. Seasonal rains in Thailand can be even worse.

[Elelaytet]

Also the rains retreats are held as the ground is covered with insects.
So during this time the monks remain inside as to not kill sentient beings with each step.
The meditaion and study time is also a bonus.

With Metta

[FilmCriticAwezume]

Before the Buddha instituted the Rains, Buddhist renunciates would wander year-round, so there's nothing inherently essential about it. In fact, after the Rains were instituted as such, that became the time for donating cloth and other such items, and it was a time of greater contact between the monastics and the laity. Therefore, the Rains could be associated with less effort and more distractions.

It's changed nowadays, where the Rains are seen as a time of intense practice, but this seems to get things somewhat backwards.