The Royal Kathina Ceremony

Sunday, November 1, 2026

The kathina is a ceremony in which donors present cloth and other requisites to the monks who have spent the Rains Retreat together without break. As it may be held only between the full moon dates in October and November, and only once a year in any given monastery, it is considered a very special opportunity for donors to join in and develop the virtue of generosity together.

In the time of the Buddha, the last month of the rainy season (October/November) was the time when monks would prepare their requisites for the upcoming eight-month period when they could wander and meditate freely in the forest. In particular, this was the time when they would patch their old robes or sew new ones if the old ones were beyond repair. Lay supporters thus took the opportunity to provide the monks with cloth at this time, and the Buddha established the custom of the kathina, in which donors would present cloth to a community of monks as a whole. The monks would then make the cloth into a robe within that day and present it to one of their members whose robes were old and worn, or who was deserving in any other way.

According to the Department of Religious Affairs, the Bureau of the Royal Household has deemed it appropriate for Bhuridattavanaram Temple in Ontario, CA, to receive the Royal Kathina Robe. The temple committee has extended an invitation to the consul of Thailand in Los Angeles, as well as to fellow patrons, to join in honoring this charitable event.

The Buddhist Temple of America warmly invites you to participate in the Royal Kathina Celebration. This special event, which occurs only once a year, will take place on Sunday, October 12, 2025. The robe will be offered and celebrated on this date.

SCHEDULE

END OF RAINS RETREAT (VASSA)

THE ROYAL KATHINA CEREMONY

NEW YEAR’S EVE – CHANTING OF METTA

A special evening chanting to welcome the new year. It starts after the daily evening chants, usually around 8 p.m.

NEW YEAR’S DAY CELEBRATION