Lzh Mg Bi Vb Np 1The Robe-Making Season
Pāli / Sanskrit:Kathina
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The Kathina Sutta (The Robe-Weaving Season)
Background
Kathina is a special disciplinary regulation within the Vinaya Pitaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, pertaining in particular to the rules governing the weaving and distribution of inner robes to bhikkhus. This regulation was established by the Blessed One Gotama in order to govern the practical activities of monastic communities and to encourage the support of the lay Buddhist community toward the Sangha.
According to its historical context, following the conclusion of the rains retreat (vassa) in the tenth month, bhikkhus were commonly in need of repairing and re-dyeing their cloth robes. In order to facilitate this activity, the Blessed One instituted the Kathina season—a special period within the training year during which bhikkhus are permitted to weave, dye, and make inner robes (antaravāsaka) without the time restrictions that apply during other periods.
Principal Content
The Kathina regulation clearly sets forth the necessary conditions for performing this ceremony. First, the entire Sangha must have concluded the rains retreat. Thereafter, one or more lay practitioners may perform the "Kathina robe-offering" by preparing cloth, thread, and the implements necessary for the bhikkhus to weave robes.
During the Kathina season, bhikkhus are permitted to work together in weaving robes on that very day without transgressing the Pātimokkha (the fundamental rules of training). The procedure generally unfolds as follows: raw cloth is obtained, dyed, cut into pieces, sewn together, and finally a designated bhikkhu "completes the work" (kathina-vutti) by sewing the last piece of cloth. This act marks the formal completion of the Kathina ceremony.
Once the Kathina has been performed, the bhikkhus of that Sangha receive certain special privileges throughout the subsequent season (from the tenth month to the twelfth month), such as being permitted to possess a greater number of requisites or being exempted from certain restrictive rules.
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