Overview
The regulatory and administrative laws of the Vinaya operate strictly on a three-season tropical calendar layout. The Buddha divided the complete year into three distinct four-month blocks (utūni). Each season dictates specific modifications in monastic behavior, robe storage laws, and mandatory residential retreats.
The List
- Hemanta - The Cold Season: Spanning exactly four months from the day following the full moon of October/November through March, characterized by dry, cool weather.
- Gimhāna - The Hot Season: Spanning exactly four months from March through the full moon night of June/July, characterized by intense heat and drought.
- Vassāna - The Rainy Season: Spanning exactly four months from the day following the full moon of June/July through October/November, during which monastics are legally restricted from wandering and must enter the rains retreat (vassa).