Rains Retreat Closing Ceremony 2025-2026

The 90-day Rains Retreat 2025 – 2026 has concluded, marking a period of deep study, practice, and transformation for our beloved community.

The Rains Retreat is an annual retreat whose origins date back to the time of the Buddha. It is a time for Buddhist monastics to deepen their studies, practice, healing, and transformation.

Plum Village is unique in that we also invite longterm and short-term lay practitioners to join the 90-day retreat and practice alongside our monastic community. Additionally we focus on nurturing and building our monastic sangha, by nourishing our monastic siblinghood and inspiring others to walk the monastic path with us.

During this Rains Retreat, we had the opportunity to practice as a multifold Sangha (monastic and lay friends), supporting each other to deeply learn, apply, and continue to explore and evolve our understanding of Thay’s teachings on what it means to be a true “Soulmate of the Buddha.”

The Rains Retreat Closing Ceremony, also referred to as the Ceremony of Invitation, celebrates our enriching community of monastic and lay practitioners. It is a joyous moment in which we express gratitude to one another, especially to our Elders in our sangha, who support us on our path with their steadfast practice, loving guidance, and unwavering commitment.

Precious Moments from the Closing Ceremony