Dear Dhamma friends,
The Kathina festival at Amaravati will be held this year on Sunday, 14th November. We warmly invite you to join us in celebrating this event. This year we can receive the general public on-site in a limited way which is outlined below. The ceremony will also be live streamed, and the link is below.
It will again be a Royal Kathina, with the Royal Kathina Robe being graciously offered by His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua of Thailand, through a representative from the Royal Thai Embassy.
This year’s event is sponsored by the group “Amaravati – Sunday Light of Dhamma.”
Kathina is a tradition that has been followed for over 2500 years. It takes place during the month following the end of the Vassa (the three months’ Rains Retreat). At the time of Kathina, lay followers make a special offering of a Kathina cloth and, in addition, other requisites to the Sangha.
Outline of the Day
09:45 Paritta Chanting in the cloister
10:30 Pindapata – offering of almsfood to the Sangha
13:15 Start Kathina ceremony
- Taking Refuge in the Triple Gem and the Five Precepts, by the lay community
- Paritta chanting by the Sangha
- The offering of the Royal Kathina robe, cloth and other requisites to the Sangha
- A Dhamma talk
Important Information
The monastery is able to receive everyone to join our outdoor event at 9:45, however the indoor activity (inside the temple) will be for a limited number of visitors due to Covid precautions. We will also set up a screen in the marquee where people can follow the ceremony.
Unfortunately, access to buildings is still not allowed, except for the temple for those who are accepted to enter, and the public toilets.
Since this will be an event with many people gathering, we would like to ensure that it is a safe environment for all those participating. We would like to request all the visitors to take a Lateral Flow Test (LFT) in the 24 hours before arrival in the monastery. The resident community will take LFTs before the event as well.
Wearing masks and keeping social distance are practiced during the pindapat.
It is important that if you are unwell or if you have been in contact with one who is unwell, please DO NOT come to this event.
Anyone who wishes to visit our Kathina event, please register by clicking on the button below.
DO NOT bring cooked food
Due to COVID precautions the monastery would like to ask you not to bring cooked food. The Kathina organisers will provide uncooked rice for the pindapata.
You are welcome to bring your own packed lunch.
Offering Dana / Kathina list
The Monastery is able to receive various offerings on Kathina day. For those who wish to make offerings prior to the event, we would be very grateful if these could be labelled “for Kathina”. These can be posted to Amaravati or placed inside the Monastery’s back gate next to where daily offerings are left.
The Kathina list is per the link below:
Livestream of Kathina Ceremony
Donating
If you would like to make a donation by cheque, please make it payable to: “The English Sangha Trust Ltd” and send it to:
Kathina 2021,
Amaravati Buddhist Monastery
Great Gaddesden
Hemel Hempstead
Herts, HP1 3BZ, UK
If you would like to make a donation by bank transfer, please send an email to [email protected]
If you are a UK taxpayer, you might also consider adding 25% to the value of your donation by completing a Gift Aid form. The Gift Aid form can be accessed online at www.amaravati.org/giftaid
If you would like to consider making a regular donation, the Standing Order form can be downloaded at www.amaravati.org/standingorderform
For making donations online, using a credit/debit card or PayPal, please go to www.amaravati.org/support/donations
Information about income and spending in 2020-21, plans for 2021-22 and an updated Financial Statement about the impact of COVID-19 from the EST can be downloaded here.
Donations this year will go towards the building of the new Sala/Kitchen of the Monastery.
Volunteering
The Kathina event is organised by the lay community and we would be grateful if we have volunteers to help on the day. If you are interested, please email [email protected].
We hope you are able to join us for this unique Kathina and that it will be a joyful day for us all.
With Metta, in the Dhamma,
Amaravati – Sunday Light of Dhamma.
Sponsors of the Royal Kathina celebration, Amaravati Buddhist Monastery, 2021