Why Buddhists Have the Summer Retreat
Quote from Kai Chan Andrew on 08/24/2025, 9:48 pmOne of the Buddha’s great disciples was Venerable Maudgalyayana (Korean: Mokryeon Jonja, 목련존자). He was famous for his supernatural powers (in Buddhism, this means spiritual abilities developed through deep meditation). These powers came from his strong practice, his good karma (the results of past actions), his natural character, and also from the faith and support of his parents. He was born as the only son in a wealthy Brahmin family, and from a young age he was wise and thoughtful. When he decided to become a monk, his parents gave him full permission and support.
Among all of the Buddha’s disciples, Maudgalyayana was the most gifted in supernatural powers. However, he never used them freely; he always respected the Buddha’s teaching and only used them with permission. This shows that his powers were not just a personal skill, but the result of discipline, humility, and following the Buddha’s guidance.
Later, Maudgalyayana saw that his mother had been reborn into the realm of hungry ghosts (Korean Buddhists call this “Agwi-do, 아귀도” — a state of suffering caused by strong greed and past harmful actions). He tried to save her with his supernatural powers, but he could not. This is because even great spiritual power cannot erase the results of heavy bad karma.
The Buddha then taught him about the Ullambana Ceremony (Korean: “Urabonjae,” also called “Baekjung-jeol,” 백중절). In this ceremony, monks gather during the summer retreat to practice deeply, and laypeople (non-monks) make offerings of food and prayers. When many monks dedicate their practice and compassion together, the suffering of beings in the lower realms can be relieved. Through this Ullambana Ceremony, Maudgalyayana’s mother was finally freed.
This is why the Summer Retreat (Ha-An-Geo) is so important. From the 4th to the 7th lunar months (roughly summer), monks stay in one place, resting from travel and focusing on practice. During this period, the Ullambana Ceremony is held, connecting monks’ practice with the compassion of laypeople’s offerings. This tradition began with Maudgalyayana’s effort to save his mother.
Maudgalyayana’s life also shows the truth of karma (cause and effect). Even though he had great powers, in the end he was attacked by bandits and died painfully. He accepted this calmly, saying it was the result of bad karma from a past life when he had harmed his parents. He did not resist his fate but faced it with understanding.
The Buddha mourned his death, but also praised him. Maudgalyayana’s final teachings gave inspiration to many, and his story still teaches us today about compassion, karma, and the importance of both practice and humility.
One of the Buddha’s great disciples was Venerable Maudgalyayana (Korean: Mokryeon Jonja, 목련존자). He was famous for his supernatural powers (in Buddhism, this means spiritual abilities developed through deep meditation). These powers came from his strong practice, his good karma (the results of past actions), his natural character, and also from the faith and support of his parents. He was born as the only son in a wealthy Brahmin family, and from a young age he was wise and thoughtful. When he decided to become a monk, his parents gave him full permission and support.
Among all of the Buddha’s disciples, Maudgalyayana was the most gifted in supernatural powers. However, he never used them freely; he always respected the Buddha’s teaching and only used them with permission. This shows that his powers were not just a personal skill, but the result of discipline, humility, and following the Buddha’s guidance.
Later, Maudgalyayana saw that his mother had been reborn into the realm of hungry ghosts (Korean Buddhists call this “Agwi-do, 아귀도” — a state of suffering caused by strong greed and past harmful actions). He tried to save her with his supernatural powers, but he could not. This is because even great spiritual power cannot erase the results of heavy bad karma.
The Buddha then taught him about the Ullambana Ceremony (Korean: “Urabonjae,” also called “Baekjung-jeol,” 백중절). In this ceremony, monks gather during the summer retreat to practice deeply, and laypeople (non-monks) make offerings of food and prayers. When many monks dedicate their practice and compassion together, the suffering of beings in the lower realms can be relieved. Through this Ullambana Ceremony, Maudgalyayana’s mother was finally freed.
This is why the Summer Retreat (Ha-An-Geo) is so important. From the 4th to the 7th lunar months (roughly summer), monks stay in one place, resting from travel and focusing on practice. During this period, the Ullambana Ceremony is held, connecting monks’ practice with the compassion of laypeople’s offerings. This tradition began with Maudgalyayana’s effort to save his mother.
Maudgalyayana’s life also shows the truth of karma (cause and effect). Even though he had great powers, in the end he was attacked by bandits and died painfully. He accepted this calmly, saying it was the result of bad karma from a past life when he had harmed his parents. He did not resist his fate but faced it with understanding.
The Buddha mourned his death, but also praised him. Maudgalyayana’s final teachings gave inspiration to many, and his story still teaches us today about compassion, karma, and the importance of both practice and humility.