San Sarv Bu Pm Tf 11 Np 1The Robe-Making Season
Pāli / Sanskrit:Kathina
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KATHINA SUTTA - THE ROBE-MAKING SEASON
Background
Kathina is one of the most important ceremonies in the Theravada Buddhist tradition, recorded in detail in the Vinaya Pitaka. The purpose of Kathina is to provide favorable conditions for bhikkhus to complete the making of robes after the rains retreat (Vassa).
According to tradition, bhikkhus must follow the rule of carrying the robe from the lunar month of October to February. However, because the rains retreat lasts three months, bhikkhus need time to prepare new robes. Kathina arose to address this issue: Buddhist laypeople offer cloth so that the bhikkhus may sew robes, and if the robe is completed in one day, the bhikkhus are temporarily exempted from certain rules concerning the carrying of robes.
Main Content
Kathina originally means “the hard frame,” a tool used to stretch cloth when sewing. The Kathina ceremony includes specific steps: laypeople offer cloth to the Sangha; the bhikkhus receive it and complete the robe (Cīvara) within one day; then the Sangha conducts the ceremony of “cutting Kathina” (Kathina sammata).
In this process, two core conditions must be met: first, the robe must be made from a raw piece of cloth, not cut apart beforehand, or if cut, it must be sewn back into a single piece. Second, the entire work must be completed within a period from sunrise to sunset, or from after receiving the cloth until the ceremony is performed.
The result of the Kathina ceremony is that bhikkhus enjoy special privileges (Kathina paccaya): they are permitted to carry an additional spare robe, permitted to leave a robe behind when traveling without committing an offense, and permitted not to seek Sangha permission to wear robes for other legitimate purposes.
Practical Meaning
Kathina is not merely a legal rule, but a profound expression of cooperation between laypeople and renunciants. The robe-making season symbolizes faith, selfless offering, and sincere support for those pursuing the path of practice.
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