key term - Kathina

Definition

Kathina is a ceremonial event in Theravada Buddhism that marks the end of the rainy season retreat (Vassa) for monks and is a time for lay followers to offer new robes and other support to the monastic community. This event is significant because it strengthens the relationship between the Sangha and laypeople, encouraging acts of generosity and reinforcing the community's commitment to supporting monastic life.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Kathina usually takes place in October or November after the Vassa period and lasts for about a month.
2. During Kathina, laypeople prepare offerings that typically include new robes, food, and other necessities for the monks.
3. The ceremony allows laypeople to earn merit by making offerings, which is an important aspect of Buddhist practice and belief.
4. Monks receive robes made from cloth that has been stitched together, symbolizing community cooperation and support.
5. In many regions, Kathina is celebrated with communal gatherings, chanting, and religious observances, emphasizing unity among the Sangha and lay followers.

Review Questions

• How does the Kathina ceremony enhance the relationship between the monastic community and lay followers?
  • The Kathina ceremony enhances the relationship between the monastic community and lay followers by creating an opportunity for mutual support. During this event, laypeople offer new robes and necessities to monks who have spent the rainy season in retreat. This act of generosity not only provides practical help to the monks but also fosters a sense of community and shared purpose, reinforcing the bond between the Sangha and lay practitioners.
• Discuss the significance of the Vassa period in relation to Kathina and its impact on monastic life.
  • The Vassa period is significant as it sets the stage for Kathina by providing monks with a time for deep meditation, study, and teaching without distractions. By completing this retreat, monks demonstrate their commitment to their spiritual practices. Kathina then becomes a celebration of this dedication, where laypeople can express their gratitude and support for the monks’ efforts during Vassa. This connection emphasizes the importance of both monastic life and lay participation in Buddhism.
• Evaluate how Kathina reflects broader themes of generosity and community within Theravada Buddhism.
  • Kathina reflects broader themes of generosity and community within Theravada Buddhism by illustrating how acts of giving create interconnectedness among practitioners. The ceremony allows laypeople to engage in Dana, reinforcing their role in supporting the Sangha while earning merit. This collaboration between monks and lay followers highlights mutual dependence; while monks provide spiritual guidance, laypeople sustain them materially. This relationship underscores key Buddhist principles such as compassion and interdependence, showcasing how collective efforts strengthen both individual practice and communal harmony.

Related terms

Vassa: The three-month annual retreat observed by Buddhist monks during the rainy season, during which they traditionally stay in one place to meditate, study, and teach.

Sangha:

The community of ordained Buddhist monks and nuns, which plays a crucial role in preserving and transmitting the teachings of Buddhism.

Dana: The practice of generosity or giving, which is fundamental in Buddhism, especially regarding the support offered by lay followers to the Sangha.