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Kathina

กฐิน

Kathina is a once-a-year gift in the month after the rains retreat: its origin, rules for the cloth, its benefits, common questions, the offering words.

6 articles

From the books Kathina Toward the Dhamma: Following the Noble Ones

  1. What Is Kathina? Its Origin and the Kathina Robe

    Kathina literally means the wooden frame for sewing robes; the kathina cloth is one of the three robes. The Buddha let monks spread it after the rains.     pp. 5–10

  2. Spreading and Offering the Kathina, and Its Five Benefits

    Spreading the kathina is the monks' act; offering it lets laypeople share its merit by laying cloth before the Saṅgha. It gives monks five benefits.     pp. 10–13

  3. Kathina Is Discipline, Harmony Is Dhamma, and the Kathina Cloth Must Be Pure

    Kathina is discipline, but the Buddha's true aim was harmony, which is Dhamma. It is about cloth, not money: monks cannot accept cash, only its value.     pp. 13–19

  4. Kathina Questions: Can One Monk Receive It, and How Does It Differ from Pha Pa?

    Kathina is a Vinaya act done only in its season, once a year; pha pa can be offered all year. A monk who spent the rains alone can still receive kathina.     pp. 20–27

  5. The Merit of Offering the Kathina, and How to Set the Mind for the Most Merit

    Kathina merit differs from other giving: receivers and givers each gain five benefits. The giver is dear to many and goes to a good destination hereafter.     pp. 27–34

  6. Kathina Offering Words, the Formal Announcement and Chants

    The Pali words for offering the kathina cloth, Imaṃ cīvaraṃ kathinatthāya saṅghassa demi, a full form with meanings, the announcement and kammavācā.     pp. 35–50