The Tradition of Kathina
Each year since the time of the Buddha, at the end of the three-month Rains Retreat, the lay community around every Buddhist monastery has gathered to celebrate the completion of the retreat and to offer to the monastic community gifts of cloth and supplies that will be useful for the coming year. The cloth is then cut, sewn and dyed to make a robe on that day to offer to one of the Saṅgha. This 2,500-year-old tradition is still carried on here in the West in the Theravadan monasteries. It is initiated by a lay supporter or a group of supporters who request to organize the preparation and formal offerings. It is both a significant and joyful occasion acknowledging the relationship of friendship and mutual support between the lay people and the monastics. All year round, the monastery functions solely on offerings from the lay community.
This year, we are very grateful that the laypeople have offered to host Karuna Buddhist Vihara's first Kathina. We're very excited to have six bhikkhunis from three different monasteries attending. Please join us on Sunday, November 15 for the celebration. If you'd like to offer useful items for the monastery, please see our Dana Wish List, or you can learn more about making financial contributions by clicking here.
This year, we are very grateful that the laypeople have offered to host Karuna Buddhist Vihara's first Kathina. We're very excited to have six bhikkhunis from three different monasteries attending. Please join us on Sunday, November 15 for the celebration. If you'd like to offer useful items for the monastery, please see our Dana Wish List, or you can learn more about making financial contributions by clicking here.