Origin of Kathina Ceremony

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How the kathina ceremony came about is recorded in the Mahavagga, the third book of the Vinaya Pitaka (Vin III. 351 ff). The following is a summary of the account.

At one time monks of Pava were on the way to see the Lord who was staying at Savatthi in Jetavana, Anathapindika's monastery. They were all forest dwellers, all alms men, all wearers of rag robes, all wearers of the three robes. As vassa was approaching, they were unable to reach Savatthi in time, so they entered vassa on the way at Saketa.

They spent the vassa in a state of longing, thinking: "the Lord is staying close to us, six yojanas (about 60 kilometers) from here, but we are not getting the chance to see the Lord".

Ten after the vassa, the monks continued on their journey to Jetavana, Savatthi where the Lord was staying. It was raining and the waters were gathering, while swamps were forming. By the time the monks arrived at their destination, their robes were drenched and they were all exhausted. Having greeted the Lord, they all sat down at a respectful distance.

Now it is the customs for the Buddha to exchange friendly greetings with incoming monks. So the Lord said to these monks: "How are you keeping, monks? Did you have enough to support life? Did you spend a comfortable vassa in unity, being on friendly terms and harmonious? Did you have any difficulty during alms food?"

"Things did go well with us, Lord. We had enough to support life, Lord. We spent our vassa in unity, being on friendly terms and harmonious, Lord. And we did not have any difficulty during alms food", answered the monks. They then related what had happened to them when they were on their way to ee the Buddha ince the beginning of the vassa.

Then the Lord on this occasion having given Dhamma talk, addressed the monks saying: "Monks, I allow monks who have completed the vassa to spread the kathina. Five (privileges), monks will be allowable to you who have spread the kathina:

1. Going (to visit families before noon) without having inform another monk (freedom of movement before noon in spite of having accepted an invitation for a meal);

2. Going around without taking (the full set of three robes - freedom to stay apart from one's set of three robes at the break of dawn;

3. A group meal;

4. As many robes as you require (without having to determine or assign them according to Vinaya regulation);

5. Exclusive right to Sanghika robes given at one's vassa monastery.

These five (privileges), monks, will be allowable to you who have spread the kathina. And thus, monks should the kathina be spread.

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