A golden opportunity to accumulate merit as it arrives only once a year

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The rain retreat of the monks (Vassa Kala) ends on the full moon day of October. During the Vassa retreat that lasted for three months, the monks serve the community of followers in various ways such as teaching the Dhamma and meditation, counselling and serving in many other ways.

The monks end the retreat by performing a Monastic Disciplinary Act (Vinaya Kamma) called the Pavarana. After this, the monks are free to leave the place where the retreat was held. Before they leave, it is the customs of the devotees to hold a farewell ceremony for the monks. This is called the Kathina ceremony.

During this ceremony, many gifts are offered to the monks as well as gifts for the upkeep of the monastery (Vihara). A very essential part of this ceremony is the offering of a special robe called the Kathina Civara, which is made in a special way through the contribution and collective effort of many devotees. This is also offered in a special way by carrying the Kathina Robe in a parade (Perahera).

Buddhist devotees recognize that the very presence of the Maha Sangha is a great blessing where they provide us the opportunities to make merit by offering gifts to them. The Maha Sangha after all, depends on the devotees for subsistence. The Maha Sangha is the vehicle that carries the Dhamma to the world and into the future from generations to generations and from century to century. This Dhamma is carried not only by precepts but also by example.

There are three conditions fulfilled that makes a gift to the Maha Sangha. These conditions are especially fulfilled on this occasion, for this is a time when the minds of the contributor are extremely pure and the minds of the recipient monks are also very pure, whilst the gifts given on this occasion are also of special value.

Therefore, to participate in this ceremony is considered to be of great spiritual benefit to everyone. This is one of the highest meritorious deeds among the "eight great kusala kamma".

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