The Tradition of Almsgiving (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 members.  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 another Kathina at KBV. The date is Sunday, November 15, 2026.

If you would like to make a financial contribution, please visit our donations page. If you would like to provide other items of support, please go to our Almsgiving Dana Wish List. Anumodana!

We're blessed to have these beloved monastics attending this year:
​Ayya Suvijjana of Passaddhi Vihāra
Ayya Silananda of Parayana Vihara
Ajahn Kovilo of Clear Mountain Monastery

Please stay tuned for further details.
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