Buddhism As Education

Nandaka Vihara will be holding its annual Kathina Robes Offering ceremony on this Sunday 23rd October 2011. Nandaka Vihara is a forest monastery situated in Bukit Mertajam near to the Cherok Tokun Recreational Forest. Surrounded by orchards and forest reserve land, the quiet environment makes it suitable for meditation practice. The forest monastery is established to encourage the practice of meditation not only to monastic but also laymen and laywomen. Laypeople also come to participate in other activities such as Dhamma talks, Dana (charity, offering of food to monks), Dhamma discussions, Pali chanting class and Sunday Dhamma class for children as well. For this year's Vassa period, Nandaka Vihara is honoured to have 7 Venereble monks residing in the monastery in conjunction of the rains retreat. The programme for the Kathina Day shall be as follows: 8.00 am - Pindapata (Alms round) 8.30 am - Food Stalls Open for Devotees 10.30 am - Sanghikadana (Food Offerings) 12.00 pm - Kathin

The rains retreat of the monks (Vassana Kala) ends on the full moon day of October. During the Vassana retreat that lasted for three months, the monks served the community of followers and devotees in various ways such as preaching of Dhamma, 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 custom for the devotees to hold a farewell ceremony for the monks which 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 important part of this ceremony is the offering of a special robe called the Kathina Civara, which is made in a special way, through contributions and collective effort by many devotees. This is also offered in a special way by carrying the "Kathina Robe&qu

A Candle Light Procession will be held at Nandaka Vihara, Cherok To'kun on 12th October 2011 at 8.00 pm to mark the end of the Vassa Period (Annual Rains Retreat) of the Sangha. After the procession, the Sangha shall lead the Buddha Puja ceremony to mark the same. All Buddhist devotees, relatives and friends are therefore invited to this meritorious event.

The Kathina at Mahindarama Buddhist Temple in Kampar Road, Penang will be held on 16th October 2011, next Sunday corresponding to the 20th day of the 9th Lunar Month. The Kathina ceremony in Mahindarama will commence at 7.00 am with the procession around the Main Shrine Hall three times carrying along the Kathina Cloth and other offerings, follow by the Offering of Kathina Robes to the Sangha and offering of other requisites as well. Upon the offering of the Kathina Robes and other requisites, the ceremony shall continue with the Buddha Puja (Offering to the Buddha) and Sanghikadana (Offering of Alms to the Sangha. Co-Sponsors: RM500, while Ordinary Sponsors will be RM120. Every Co-Sponsors and Ordinary Sponsors shall be given a tray of requisites to be offered to the Sangha. Sadhu, Sadhu, Sadhu!

In Pali, Kathina literally means unshakable or immovable. The merits accrued in offering this kind of rob is unshakable by the other small demerits. Whenever the donors of Kathina Robe enjoy the results of these meritorious deeds in Samsara, the other small demerits - except the Five Weighty Karmas cannot interrupt or cannot shake its effect just like the great Earth or Mount Meru cannot be shaken by the wind. Therefore, it is called "Kathina". In Buddhist countries such as Sri Lanka, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia, the annual offering of Kathina Robes has assumed a great auspicious significance and this religious function receives even the Royal Patronage and favour. As such, devotees for this important annual occasion with great enthusiasm to take part in the celebration. Kathina Robe cannot be accepted by all monks. Only monks who had received Higher Ordination and observe the Vassa or Rains Retreat for three months can accept the Kathina Robe. Those who are novices,

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Heong San See Temple in Tanjung Tokong Lama, Penang will be organizing the Lotus Lighting in conjunction of the Medicine Buddha Repentance Puja tomorrow 2nd October 2011 for good fortune and elimination of obstacles from 8.00am to 12.00pm. Lotus Lighting for individual will be RM10.00 while for family will be RM20.00. Those who are interested, kindly contact the temple at the following: 428 Jalan Tanjung Tokong Lama, 10470 Penang, Tel: 04-8999067, 8999629 Mantra of the Medicine Buddha Namo Bhagavate Bhaisajya Guru Vaidurya Prabha, Rajaya Tathagataya Arhate Samyak Sambuddhaya Tadyatha Om Bhaisajye Bhaisajye Bhaisajya Samudgate Svaha.