The Tradition of Kathina​

​Each year since the time of the Buddha, at the end of the three-month "rainy season", the lay community around every Buddhist monastery has gathered to celebrate the end of the season 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, the Kathina will be held on Sunday, October 20th from 10:30am to 2:00pm. For the full program, see our Kathina 2019 page. If you'd like to contribute to the Kathina, please visit the Kathina Wish List or the financial contribution page. 
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