THE BUDDHA’S DAILY SCHEDULE AND ANNUAL ROUTINE

The Majjhima Nikāya provided a fairly satisfactory picture of The Buddha’s daily activities and annual routine during the forty-five years of his ministry. 

The Buddha’s daily schedule as having been divided between periods of instructing the bhikkhus, giving  discourses to the laity, and secluded meditation, during which he usually dwelt either in the ‘abode of voidness’ or in the attainment of great compassion.  The day’s single meal was always taken in the forenoon, either received by invitation or collected on alms round, and his sleep was restricted to a few hours per night, except in the summer, when he rested   briefly during the middle of the day.  The annual routine was determined by Indian climate, which divided the year into three seasons.  As was customary among the ascetics of ancient India, the Buddha and his monastic community would remain at a fixed residence during the rainy season, when heavy rains swollen rivers made travel almost impossible.  During the rest of the year he would wander through the Ganges valley be expounding his teachings to all who were prepare to listen. 

The Buddha’s main seats for residence for the rainy retreat were located at Sāvatthi in the state of Kosala and Rajagaha in the state of Maghadha.   His wonderings, during which he was usually accompanied by large retinue of bhikkhus. Occasionally, when he saw that a special case required his individual attention, he would leave the Sangha and travel alone.

Note: Extracted from Middle length discourses of the Buddha translated by Bhikkhu Nanamouli and Bhikkhu Bodhi.

May all beings be happy!