How to participate?
Kathina is a tradition which has been followed since the time of the Buddha. It is a meaningful event for all buddhists. This year SBM will conduct the Kathina ceremony on 10 November 2024 (Sunday). Devotees might join us in person for the symbolic robes offering ceremony, devotees still have an opportunity to reserve the robes for the offering. Meanwhile, devotees could also offer requisites and lunch dana to the Sangha members during this special day.
Robes @ S$80 per set
Requisites @ S$40 per set
Blessing Lantern @ S$50 per set
LED Lotus Candle@ S$20 per set
For any enquiries, please contact us at 82437603 or info@sbm.sg
KATHINA DAY 2024 PROGRAMME FLOW
10 November 2024
9:00 A.M. Kathina Procession
9:30 A.M. Buddha Puja and Chanting
10:00 A.M. Welcome Speech by Bhante Dhammika
10:10 A.M. Observing Five Precepts
10:15 A.M. Offering Kathina Chivara by SBM Vice President Leo Ann Jwee
10:30 A.M. Deliverance of Kathina sermon by Venerable Mahaweera Nayaka Maha Thera
11:00 A.M. Offering robes and requisites to Maha Sangha
11:15 A.M. Blessing service by Maha Sangha
11:30 A.M. Offering dana for Maha Sangha
12:00 P.M. Vegetarian lunch for devotees
KATHINA DAY 2024
Message from our Chief Reverend Venerable K. Dhammika Maha Thera
CHIEF REVEREND
Venerable K. Dhammika Maha Thera
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 10th of November 2024. 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!