KATHINA CEREMONY

Kathina Day is a major Theravada Buddhist festival held after the three-month rains retreat (Vassa), celebrating the close bond between laypeople and monks. During this joyful event, devotees offer new robes and essentials to monks as an act of generosity (dāna), supporting their spiritual practice. Beyond the robe offering, Kathina features processions, chanting, Dhamma talks, and shared meals, fostering community unity and honoring the Buddha’s teachings on generosity and merit-making.

We warmly invite everyone to participate in SBM Kathina Day. Whether you join in person or contribute offerings, your presence and generosity help sustain the Sangha and uphold the living tradition of Buddhism. Let us come together to celebrate, make merit, and rejoice in the spirit of unity and compassion. May the blessings of the Triple Gem be with you and your loved ones!

Jayamangala Gatha

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For any enquiries, please contact us at info@sbm.sg

WHERE

SINGAPORE BUDDHIST MISSION

9 Ruby Lane, Singapore 328284

WHEN

2ND NOVEMBER 2025, 9AM

Venerable K. Dhammika Maha Thera

SBM Chief Reverend

The Kathina ceremony is the most popular event for Theravada Buddhists after the Vesak celebration. At the end of three months of rainy retreat of venerable monks, following the ancient custom, Buddhist devotees organize the Kathina ceremony on a particular day but before the full moon of November. This is not just an annual robe offering. A Kathina robe can be offered to the Sangha who observed the rainy retreat according to the Buddhist Monastic rules. The Pāli term “Kathina” seems to have two meanings. First, it denotes “hardness” or “stiffness” due to its greatness. Secondly, it refers to a wooden frame used by the monks to sew a robe.

The history of offering a Kathina robe traces back to the time of the Buddha. In the early period of Buddhist monasticism, monks used only three robes: the inner robe, the outer robe, and the double robe. Having recognized the necessity of an extra robe, the Buddha declared that monks could receive an extra robe or cloth material to make a robe after the rainy retreat. Though any person can offer a robe to a bhikkhu at any time, a Kathina robe is offered to the community of monks by devotees as a collective offering with the support of each devotee in a ceremony where monks and people gather as witnesses. Firstly, the robe is brought to the venue in a procession and dedicated to the bhikkhus by devotees as a property of the Sangha. Having received the Kathina, the Sangha decides which bhikkhu deserves to receive and use the Kathina robe so that the devotees can increase their merit. With the unanimous decision of the Sangha, the Kathina robe is offered to a Bhikkhu, who observed Vassana retreat at that particular temple or place. This is how a Kathina robe is offered to the Sangha according to the advice of the Buddha.

Following the Vinaya rules and ancient tradition, the Singapore Buddhist Mission celebrates its annual Kathina ceremony on the 2nd of November 2025. On behalf of the SBM management committee, members, and devotees, I would like to invite all of you to attend the event and make some merit. May the Triple Gem bless you!