The Buddhist Lent
KATHINA
Kathina 2025
26th October 2025
8am to 2pm
What is Kathina?
Kathina
Held in October or November of the Western calendar, Kathina is organized by lay people in order to present monks with new robes. One robe is ceremonially presented as the Kathina robe to the head of the monastery, to be given to the monk who is, at least in theory, to be the most virtuous. He will be chosen by the abbot.
Vassa
Vassa, also called Rains Retreat, is the three-month annual retreat observed by monastic practitioners. Taking place during the rainy season, for the duration of Vassa, Bhikkhus remain inside monasteries and temple grounds.In some monasteries, monks dedicate the Vassa to intensive meditation. Some Buddhist lay people choose to observe Vassa by adopting some practices such as going vegetarian.
Origins of Kathina Practice
The scriptures relate that 30 monks were traveling together with the intention of spending the retreat season with the Buddha. However, when the full moon of July (the start of the retreat) arrived, they had not reached their destination and according to custom they were required to stay where they were. So, it is told, the monks were disappointed and spent the 3-month retreat away from their teacher.
At the end of the retreat, the monks finished their journey to see the Buddha. Coming to hear of their disappointment, he was moved to give them a teaching that would uplift and inspire them. He suggested that they should make a new robe together and the monks set about sewing a robe. In those days, d method used involved spreading the pieces of cloth on a frame and stitching them together. This frame was called a Kathina.
The robe is made, according to ceremonial prescription, by sewing patches together in such a way as is said to imitate the patchwork of the paddy fields familiar to the early monks on their travels. The community first presents the cloth for the robe, which is marked, cut and sewn by the monks on the same day, before being given back to the laity for presentation. Another meaning given to the word “Kathina” is “difficult”, which suggests the arduousness of the vocation of a disciple of the Buddha, and the tenacity required to follow the Dhamma.
The robe-giving ceremony is also a reminder of the interdependence of the monastic order and the laity; the monks offer a spiritual example and teaching to the lay followers and, in return, the lay people satisfy the monks’ basic needs. This interdependence was stressed by the Buddha, and has certainly been a vital factor in the survival and continuation of Buddhism as a living tradition. Its importance is highlighted by the fact that this ceremony is the only one involving the laity that gains its authority from the earliest Buddhist scriptures.
Support & Contribute
Volunteer with Us
11th October 2025
🌸 Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Dhamma, 🌸
On behalf of Ti-Ratana Lumbini Garden, we joyfully invite you to be part of our Kathina Day Celebration on Sunday, 26th October 2025. 🙏
We are seeking 50 dedicated volunteers to assist during the sacred Kathina procession and to help ensure the event flows smoothly and meaningfully. Your kind participation will make this auspicious occasion even more special. 🪷
✨ Breakfast & Briefing:
A light breakfast will be served at 7:30 a.m., followed by a short briefing at 8:00 a.m. before the procession begins.
Let us come together in the spirit of Dāna (generosity) and Sangha support, creating beautiful memories and wholesome merits along the way.
If you wish to volunteer, kindly send “YES”, together with your full name and contact number, to the sister listed below on or before 20th October 2025.
May your compassionate service bring you peace, happiness, and abundant blessings. 💖
Sadhu 🙏 Sadhu 🙏 Sadhu 🙏
Ti-Ratana Lumbini Garden Puchong 36 & 38, Jalan Puteri 4/2, Bandar Puteri, 47100 Puchong, Selangor.
Sister Rina Lim
📱 019-2815598
15th October 2025
🪷 Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Dhamma, 🪷
A very good day to you.
We would like to extend a call for volunteers for the upcoming Kathina Day Celebration at Ti-Ratana Lumbini Garden on Sunday, 26th October 2025.
You may have received an earlier message, but in case it was missed, we warmly welcome your kind participation and support. Your voluntary service on this auspicious day will greatly contribute to the smooth and meaningful flow of the celebration.
Should you be unable to assist as a volunteer, we sincerely invite you to join us as devotees and share in the joy and blessings of this meritorious occasion.
Sadhu! 🙏Sadhu! 🙏Sadhu! 🙏
With Metta,
Sister Rina Lim
📞 019-2815598
Dana to the Maha Sangha
Dear Bros & Sis in the Dhamma,
Kathina is a Buddhist festival which comes at the end of Vassa, the three-month rainy season retreat for Theravada Buddhist monks. The season during which a monastery may hold Kathina is one month long. The Vassa is also a time for the lay Buddhists to express their devotion to the cause of Buddhism by supporting the Sangha with special diligence offering dana to the resident monk observing the Vassa.
The main event in this ceremony is the offering of the special robe known as the kathina-civara to the Sangha, who in turn present it to one monk who has observed the retreat. The laity traditionally offers unsewn cloth to the monks. This ceremony, which is performed with keen interest and devotion, has today become a momentous occasion of great social and religious significance for the Buddhist laity.
Lumbini Garden will be having this event on 26 October 2025 and invite all our dear devotees to come and take joy in offering a robe to the Sangha community.
We are honoured to have our Chief Reverend, Ven Datuk K Sri Dhammaratana, and Rev Hemaloka, together with many invited Maha Sangha, performing Dhamma Puja and transference of merits on this auspicious day.
Date: 26 October 2025 (Sunday)
Time: 8:00 am
Venue: Ti-Ratana Lumbini Garden, Puchong
Join us to make this coming Kathina celebration a meritorious affair with a special remembrance towards keeping alive the true spirit of offering.
To view offerings, click or tap here to open the Google Form.
Payment(s) can be made by bank transfer to CIMB Account 800 947 7762 (Ti-Ratana Buddhist Society Kuala Lumpur & Selangor).
For those who may have faced difficulties logging in to your Google Account or scanning, you may send a WhatsApp message to any of the 3 contact numbers listed in our poster with the details of payment/ list of offering items/names you wish to do the offering for our event.
May you all be well, happy and peaceful!
亲爱的居士你们好，
卡提娜 是一个佛教节日，在 瓦萨结束之后（瓦萨 是南传佛教僧众每年修行的为期三个月的雨季静居修行）。寺院可以在一个月内举行卡提娜的庆典。瓦萨也是佛教徒表达他们对佛教信仰与奉献的时候，为他们支持和遵守瓦萨的僧众供养 丹娜（布施）
这个活动庆典仪式被称为 卡提娜（袈裟供奉庆典），由高僧赠送给一位遵守瓦萨条规的僧侣（俗人传统上向僧侣提供未缝制的布料）。
这个庆祝仪式佛教徒以浓厚的兴趣和奉献精神为其进行，已成为佛教徒对社会和宗教意义的重要庆典之一。Ti-Ratana 蓝毗尼花园 Puchong 将在以下的日期和时间作为庆典：-
日期：2025 年 10 月 26 日（星期日）
时间： 8.00am
地点：Ti-Ratana 蓝毗尼花园 Puchong.
欢迎大家加入我们为即将到来的 卡提娜 庆祝活动成为一项特殊意义非凡的活动，以纪念佛教的精神传承。
有关供奉僧品，请扫描二维码进入谷歌表格。您可以通过银行转账至 CIMB 号码 800 947 7762 付款。
祝您在扫描过程中遇到任何困难，您可以通过 Whatsapp 发送到我们海报中列出的 3 个联系电话中的任何一个，并附上付款详情/供品清单/供品付款的姓名。
愿您身体健康，快乐幸福安康！
Saudara dan Saudari yang dihormati dalam Dhamma,
Makluman: Acara ini terbuka untuk orang bukan Islam sahaja. Terjemahan ini dibuat selaras dengan peraturan dalam talian yang baharu, dan ditulis dalam gaya Bahasa Melayu Baba-Nyonya Peranakan yang digunakan oleh ramai penganut Buddha yang diiktiraf secara sah sebagai penganut agama Buddha di Sijil Kelahiran dan Kad Pengenalan, dan juga digunakan dalam kalangan ahli jawatankuasa serta sukarelawan kami.
Kathina ialah perayaan agama Buddha yang diadakan pada penghujung Vassa: tiga bulan musim hujan di mana para sami Buddha Theravāda berundur untuk berlatih dan bermeditasi. Musim Kathina berlangsung selama sebulan sahaja. Vassa juga merupakan masa bagi umat Buddha awam memperlihatkan pengabdian mereka kepada Dhamma dengan memberi sokongan kepada Sangha melalui persembahan dan dana, terutamanya kepada para bhikkhu yang memerhati Vassa.
Acara utama dalam upacara ini ialah persembahan jubah khas yang dipanggil Kathina-Cīvara kepada Sangha, yang kemudiannya akan disampaikan kepada seorang bhikkhu yang telah menamatkan tempoh pengunduran itu. Dahulu, orang awam akan mempersembahkan kain yang belum dijahit kepada para bhikkhu. Kini, upacara ini terus dijalankan dengan penuh hormat dan pengabdian, dan telah menjadi satu perayaan penting dengan makna sosial dan keagamaan yang mendalam bagi semua umat Buddha.
Ti-Ratana Lumbini Garden akan mengadakan perayaan ini pada 26 Oktober 2025, dan dengan sukacitanya menjemput semua penganut untuk datang bersama-sama bergembira dalam membuat persembahan jubah kepada komuniti Sangha.
Kami berbesar hati menyambut kehadiran Ketua Pendeta kami, Yang Amat Mulia Datuk Dr. K. Sri Dhammaratana Nayaka Maha Thero (Ketua Sami Buddha Tertinggi Malaysia), dan Bhante Hemaloka Thero (Bhikkhu Pematsutin), bersama ramai anggota Maha Sangha, untuk mengadakan Dhamma Puja dan pemindahan jasapada hari penuh berkat ini.
📅 Tarikh: 26 Oktober 2025 (Ahad)
🕗 Masa: 8.00 pagi
📍 Tempat: Ti-Ratana Lumbini Garden, Puchong
Marilah bersama-sama menjadikan perayaan Kathina ini sebagai satu kesempatan berharga untuk mengekalkan semangat sejati dalam memberi dan berkongsi jasa kebajikan.
Untuk melihat senarai tawaran, sila klik atau ketik di sini bagi membuka Borang Google.
Sumbangan boleh dibuat melalui pindahan bank ke:
Akaun CIMB 800-947-7762
(Ti-Ratana Buddhist Society Kuala Lumpur & Selangor)
Bagi mereka yang menghadapi kesukaran untuk log masuk Akaun Google atau mengimbas kod QR, anda boleh menghantar mesej WhatsApp ke mana-mana tiga nombor hubungan yang tertera dalam poster kami bersama butiran pembayaran, senarai tawaran, dan nama anda untuk tujuan pendaftaran.
Semoga semua sentiasa sihat, bahagia dan damai dalam Dhamma!
Dhamma Education: Learn About Kathina
with TRIBS Sunday Dhamma School & TRYBS Youth Section
14 October 2025
Sukhihontu,
In conjunction with Ti-Ratana Lumbini Garden’s Kathina 2025 Robe offering ceremony to the Sangha, Sunday Dhamma School invites all parents and students and TRYBS invites all Buddhist Youth in the area to join us as volunteers and/or join us on Sunday, 26th October to rejoice in merit in honouring and paying our due respect to the Sangha.
Below is a 5-10 minute Dhamma sharing in text 🙏🏼 Ehipassiko! (Come and See)☸️
Sabbadanam dhammadanam jinati
The Gift of Dhamma Excells All Other Gifts - Dhammapada 24:354
Often during Pūjā, we recite these verses at the start, and some of us may see the English translation too and take note of it, or even other languages translations. Here’s a better understanding of the verse of recollection of the Sangha.
Supaṭipanno bhagavato sāvakasaṅgho
The community of disciples of the Blessed One has well followed [the teaching].
ujupaṭipanno bhagavato sāvakasaṅgho
The community of disciples of the Blessed One has followed the straight [path].
ñāyapaṭipanno bhagavato sāvakasaṅgho
The community of disciples of the Blessed One has followed the methodical [path].
sāmīcipaṭipanno bhagavato sāvakasaṅgho
The community of disciples of the Blessed One has followed the correct [conduct in life].
yadidaṃ cattāri purisayugāni aṭṭha purisapuggalā
Namely [there are] the four pairs of people, eight human characters.
esa bhagavato sāvakasaṅgho
This is the community of disciples of the Blessed One.
āhuneyyo pāhuneyyo dakkhiṇeyyo añjalikaraṇiyo
It is worthy of offerings, worthy of hospitality, worthy of gifts, worthy of salutation.
anuttaraṃ puññakkhettaṃ lokassā ti
It is the unsurpassed field of merit for the world.
Here we find enumerated the qualities of the Sangha, the community of Buddha's disciples. This is the final one of the "Three Gems", or "Three refuges" of the Buddhism.
The community has well followed the path to the deliverance that was taught by the Buddha (supaṭipanno).
The community is following the straight path (ujupaṭipanno). This path leads directly to the goal, it is not a labyrinth, it is clearly pointed out. There are no dead ends or bends.
The community is on a methodical (or logical) path (ñāyapaṭipanno). Each step on this path is well explained, there is a method and internal logic in every and each of the sections on this way.
The community is correct in conduct (sāmīcipaṭipanno). The rules for the followers have been laid down in the Vinaya, the Code of Conduct, and every Buddha's follower is expected to live up to high standard of this treatise.
In the Sangha, there are " four pairs of people" (cattāri purisayugāni) and "eight individual human characters" (aṭṭha purisapuggalā). By four pairs of people the text means the followers who have reached one of the four stages on the way to the awakenment. First is sotāpatti (entering the stream), the first glimpse of Nirvana and breaking of some fetters binding us to the round of rebirth. Then comes sakadāgāmitā (the state of a "once-returner"), next stage on the path -- those who have reached this stage will be born only once in this world. Next is anāgāmitā (the state of a "non-returner"), after reaching this stage the practitioner will not be born again in this world, but will (if not reaching the goal in this life) be born in some higher world, finishing his practice there and reaching the goal. Last is arahatta (the state of an arahant), the final goal of Buddhism, purification of mind and breaking of the round of rebirth. So these are the four stages on the path and the practitioners are divided into those, who are on the path to one of them or those who have reached the fruit of them. So there are four pairs of people (on the path to sotāpatti + reaching the fruit of it etc.). Or, in other words, these are eight individual human characters.
Such is the Community of Buddha's disciples.
It is worthy of offerings (āhuneyyo), because of its qualities. The offerings (mainly food and medicine) given to the Sangha are meritorious deeds.
It is also worthy of hospitality (pāhuneyyo). Giving shelter and caring in sickness for monks and nuns is a good practice of generosity.
It is worthy of gifts (dakkhiṇeyyo). Again, giving any gifts (allowed in Vinaya): food, drinks, shelter, clothes, medicine etc., does not only bring merit to the giver, but also serves as a practice of generosity.
It is worthy of salutation (añjalikaraṇiyo). Because of all these qualities, the Sangha is a good object of veneration, a good example to follow. To pay homage to the Sangha is also paying homage to the Buddha and his teaching, the Dhamma.
It is the unsurpassed field of merit for the world (anuttaraṃ puññakkhettaṃ lokassa). The merit obtained by caring for needs of the community of Buddha's disciples is the highest and unsurpassed merit in the world. If anyone wants to "reap" rewards for his actions, the Sangha is always the best "field" to come to.
Commentary and Translation Source: Library of Buddhist Studies (Online), National Taiwan University
Foreword by Bro Rain Lee
(AI Declaration: No AI used in the creation of this commentary)