With the beginning of the rainy season the Buddhist monks who have obtained their higher ordination started to observe the rainy seasonal precepts on the day following the Esala full moon day (Adhi Esala -this year.)
During the Gautama Buddha's period the monks were travelling during the rainy season. This became quite an irritating topic among the Jaina ascetics. They found fault with the Buddhist monks for not being stationary during these four months. Gautama Buddha who heard this recounted what the former Buddhas had done to prevent this sort of frivolous talk. They had set down a code of conduct during the rainy season for the bhikkus to observe. Although this practice was done not as a rule earlier it became necessary for the disciples to do it in a methodical manner. Hence, the tradition to observe the rainy seasonal precepts after 20 years of Gautama Buddha 's enlightenment. Gautama Buddha observed the 20th rainy seasonal precepts in Veluvanarama. All other monks who were of higher ordination also observed these precepts.
The novice monks are not supposed to observe these precepts.
It is not according to the age but according to the number of rainy seasonal observances that a monk is given his due place.
Therefore the rainy season is quite important to both the monks and the lay people.
The monks don't go out of the temple where they observe these precepts. If they are compelled to leave the temple they have to return before the completion of seven days. Lest the precepts of the rainy season would be violated.
During this period the monks will not go begging for alms, as the lay people would serve them with alms and other requisites.
In return the monks would give sermons on a daily basis when the devotees come to the temple everyday. The religious bond between the monks and the devotees would be strengthened during this period.
There is a pathetic story about a Brahamin who invited the Buddha to spend the rainy season in his village and forgetting all about that invitation, Udaka the Brahamin invited the Buddha to spend the rainy season in his village, called Veranja. Buddha went there accepting the invitation. But Udaka did not turn up. Hence Gautama Buddha had to survive on horse fodder such as gram etc; which were offered to him by some wandering horse merchants.
Only after the rainy season was over Udaka remembered about his invitation and went to apologise for the negligence on his part. The Buddha consoled the Brahamin by stating that it was due to a serious karmic force that he was prevented of his normal rice and curry.
During a previous birth Gautama Bodhisatta had insulted a Pacceka Buddha when he was going from house to house begging for alms.
"It is better to eat horse fodder than to beg for alms in this manner''. He had not known that the hermit was a Pacceka Buddha who had attained enlightenment.
This story shows that nobody could skip karmic forces, whether he is the Buddha or the universal king.
Therefore one should avoid evil and do good deeds to shorten the journey of sansara.
By looking after the monks who observe the precepts during the rainy season, one could gain a lot of merit. Namely, long life, complexion of the skin, happiness, power, and wisdom. Observing the rainy seasonal precepts go on till the full moon day of Vap. With the culmination of the rainy season the Katina Robe offerings would begin. This is regarded as the most powerful meritorius deed out of the 8 great meritorius deeds in Buddhism.
