Maha Kathina Ceremony 2012

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Maha Kathina Ceremony 2012
To celebrate the 2,600th Enlightenment Day Anniversary of the Lord Buddha
Sunday November 4th, 2012
At Dhammakaya Temple in Pathum Thani province

Maha Kathina Ceremony at Dhammakaya Temple in Pathum Thani province

The ceremony of offering the Kathina Robe Set to worship the Lord Buddha

The year 2012 is the auspicious year because of the 2,600th Enlightenment Anniversary of the Lord Buddha or called “Buddha Jayanti”. From this reason including Thailand is the Center of the World Buddhism, so there are many big celebrations in Thailand throughout this year.

The celebrations have been done to recall us about the important events concerning with the Lord Buddha such as His Birthday, His Enlightenment Day, His Death Day which were on the full moon day of the 6th lunar month (or on June 4th in this year).

Because of this auspicious time, Buddhists have made merit and done many good deeds to worship the Lord Buddha. The end of the Buddhist Lent is a good occasion for us to make a big merit to worship Him by offering the Kathina robe set.

Offering the Kathina robe set to worship the Lord Buddha

Special merit for the special event

Offering the Kathina robe set is a nice Buddhist Custom which has been done since the Buddha Time. Merit from this ceremony is very special because of its requirements, for example, this ceremony must be done within one month after the last day of the Buddhist Lent. So Buddhists cannot arrange this ceremony as they want. For this year, the Kathina Ceremony is special than other years because it is arranged to worship the Lord Buddha since His 2,600th Enlightenment Day Anniversary. If you miss the ceremony in this year, you have to wait for 100 years to celebrate “Buddha Jayanti” again.

Buddha Jayanti – the Greatest Victory of the Lord Buddha

“Buddha Jayanti” comes from “Buddha” which means the Lord Buddha and “Jayanti” which stems from “Jaya” which means “Victory.” When combining these two words, it means “the victory of the Lord Buddha over Maras and all defilements.”

Furthermore, “Buddha Jayanti” also means the victory of Buddhists. So, when you finish this ceremony, you should make a wish that “May the power of this Kathina merit causes my family and me to be happy, prosperous, and rich of properties and enable us to overcome all kinds of obstacles every lifetime until we reach Nirvana.”

Maha Kathina Ceremony for the Buddha Jayanti Celebration

Fruits of the Kathina Ceremony

The Kathina Ceremony is a kind of Sangha Dana because the donors offer the Kathina robe sets to the monks non-specifically. Its fruits are enormous as the Lord Buddha confirmed that Sangha Dana yields the most fruits for donors. So those who want the big merit, they should make merit with the monks non-specifically.
Please come to join the Kathina Ceremony at Dhammakaya Temple which over 2,000 monks and novices stay here during the Buddhist Lent.

Congregations meditate on the Kathina Ceremony Day

Schedule of the Kathina Ceremony to celebrate the Buddha Jayanti
On Sunday November 4th, 2012

Morning
6:30 a.m.    The Morning Alms Round
9:30 a.m.    Meditation session / the ceremony of offering alms to the Lord Buddha
11:00 a.m.    The ceremony of offering meal to the monks

Afternoon
1:30 p.m.    The Kathina Ceremony / Meditation session
3:30 p.m.    End of the Kathina Ceremony
6:00 p.m.    The monks begin the Kathina Khandhaka Ceremony

Monks perform the Kathina Khandhaka Ceremony at the Main Buddhist Chapel of Dhammakaya Temple

Please wear white clothes to join the ceremony for keeping the nice Buddhist Custom
For more information, please call 662-831-1000

Thank you and rejoice in your merit.

Translated by Chadawee Chaipooripat