It is the fifth Myanmar month. It is in July-August, the rainy season, when rivers are in spate. In the time of Buddha, when the Lord was staying at Weluwun Monastery in Yazagyo, some disciples supplicated to him the matter of individual disciples having some difficulty to donate meals and alms for all the Sangha at the monastery at the same time, whereuponBuddha laid down a way of disciples drawing lots to determine which monk to offer meals and alms. Thus began the practice at the time of the year to hold lot-drawing offerings of meals and alms to the Sangha, although the exact time for such offerings is not definitely prescribed.
Waso is the fourth Myanmar month. It is part summer and part moonsoon. It fals in June and July. The full-moon day of Waso is significant as the day the embryo-Buddha was conceived, the day He preached the first sermon of Dhamma Cakka, the day He performed the miracles. The day also marks the beginning of Buddhist Lent of three months when members of the Sangha go into the rains retreat. It is a time of ordination and novitiation into the religious order, with these events held since the days of ancient Myanmar monarchs for the flourishing of the Sasana. There is also a practice of young men and women going on outings of gathering flowers to be offererd at Buddha images. A significant practice of Waso is the offering of monk's robes to members of the Sangha for use during the Lent and so these robes are called Waso robes. Likewise there are also big candles called Waso candles offered at this time of the year. Among lay people it is also a time to offer elders cakes, fruits and other offertories.
