On September 9 we formally opened the Plum Village Monastery Rains Retreat with the Face-to-Face Ceremony at Upper Hamlet.
The Rains Retreat is a tradition that dates back to the time of the Buddha where monks and nuns would spend three months during the rainy season in one place.
This year, there are more than one thousand people from over sixty countries joining us online for this three-month retreat. With the retreat’s theme “Gems of the Plum Village tradition”, we have ninety days to explore the roots of Thich Nhat Hanh’s sutra translations, teachings, and practices.
To prepare for this retreat, we also had a Counting Sticks ceremony at our three hamlets a day before. Please enjoy the pictures of these ceremonies.
Counting Sticks Ceremony to count the number of persons who will commit to practice together with the Sangha for three months. 
One stick represents the Kitchen Inspector Bodhisattva who supports us with good health throughout the three months. 
Each stick also represents an aspiration of each person to deepen their practice in the Rains Retreat. 
How happy it is to be with and to practice with the Sangha.
This counting stick certifies, ninety days of mindfulness practice.
The Face-to-Face Ceremony at Upper Hamlet began with the powerful sound of the Prajna drum and bell. 
Our Teacher, Thay, is also present in each of us. 
The Abbot, Abbess and representative of the Abbess of each hamlet requested to take refuge in the representatives of Our Teacher, Thay. 
The whole Sangha requested to take refuge in the practice of the elder brothers and sisters. 
More photos
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