Kathina Day

Kathina Day is an important and auspicious day in the Buddhist calendar. On this day, the Buddhist people assemble in the temples and offer robes and other gifts to the monks.

Kathina is a Pali word used for the wooden frame on which the monks used to sew the scraps of clothes to make their robes. Although the robes today are made of new cloth, they are made from fourteen patches to keep the tradition alive.

Kathina was initiated by Lord Buddha for the benefit of the monks who had observed the Vassa retreat. The Vassa retreat begins from the full moon of July till the full moon of October. As this is also the rainy season, it is also known as the rainy retreat. During this period a Sangha community (group of 5 or more monks) is supposed to stay in a temple (Vihara) continuously to meditate and practice self discipline.

When the monks come out of retreat which is somewhere in November, the Kathina Ceremony is held in which common people donate robe cloth and other basic necessities to the monks as gifts. This is followed by a feast. In the evening, the special Kathina robe known as the Kathina Cheevera is presented to the most suitable monk who has observed the Vassa Retreat. The Sangha chooses the monk who deserves the robe. The monk the carries the robe with him for three months where ever he goes.

Kathina originated when a group of monks came to visit Buddha. Their robes were muddy and drenched as they did not have an extra set to change. On the suggestion of a common devotee, Buddha allowed the common people to provide robes to the monks thus initiating Kathina.

Nowadays ready made robes are offered but back in the days of Buddha, white cloth, was collected by the common people, which was then cut, dyed and sewn into robes by the Sangha within one day. On Kathina Day itself, there’s a special Kathina robe (called Kathina Cheevera) which is offered to the most suitable monk who has observed Vassa. The monk must then take it along everywhere with him for three months.

Kathina ceremony promotes generosity and selflessness. It also provides an opportunity to the people to gain spirituality.

How World Celebrates the Month of July

How World Celebrates the Month of July
The world celebrates the month of July in different ways. Depending on your destinations, the festivities may fit different categories. In arts, the Karlovy Vary Film Festival in Czech Republic is famous for national and international screenings, short films, and documentaries. The World Mountain Bike Bog Snorkeling Championship in Wales is another festivity that isgreat and bizarre.
The Romanesque Summer Music Festival in Cologne, Germany has a classical music theme that includes Handel and Bach. Touching on heritage, the festival of Palio of Siena in Italy is established around wild bareback horse-racing. The Vienna Rainbow Parade in Austria has a gay pride focuse with demonstrations and 12 floats accompanied by techno and classical music. For kids and family, the Fourth of July festivities in Boston, USA may be enjoyable because of the fabulous fireworks and pops performances.
Lifestyle themes are visible at the Sydney Good Food and Wine Show in Australia. The show exhibits more than 300 exhibitors from worldwide. The Hyde Park in London is a popular location for the festivities of music and nightlife. It is attended by many international performing artists. For anyone interested in astronomy, there is a science and knowledge festival in Canada. The Astronomy Festival features night sky watching, workshops, conferences, and lectures. For sports and outdoor themes, the Mystic Skate Cup of the Czech Republic features legendary parties and live bands, as well as global competition for street skateboarders.

June 24: Rath Yatra – A festival to worship Karishna

June 24: Rath Yatra – A festival to worship Karishna
Posted in Festivals in July, Festivals in June, Hindu Festivals on 20. Jun, 2009
Rath Yatra, a major Hindu festival is celebrated with zeal in the Eastern state of Orissa in the Puri District. The festival commemorates the memories of Karishna’s return to his native town, Virndavan, after a long separation from his people. In Hindi Rath means chariot and Yatra means pilgrimage.
This festival is celebrated during the monsoon season between June and July every year. During this festival people worship Lord Karishna, Baladiva and their sister Subhadra. The worship is not limited to the temples, but takes to the streets so that everyone can see the richly decorated chariots. Devotees from all over India and beyond participate in the huge procession with a desire to touch the rope of the chariot. For them it’s a virtuous act. Temple shaped chariots are carried to the Gundicha Temple in a huge procession where devotees play religious songs with drums and tambourines.
The festival gives a unique opportunity to Non-Hindus and foreigners who cannot visit the temples during the routine rituals to get a glance of these chariots. In 2008, approximately 10 million people visited Puri to attend the festivities of Rath Yatra. This year millions of people are expected to gather in Puri to perform their rituals for Rath Yatra.