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Early Monastic Buddhism v1.c19.s12: Kaṭhina

Early Monastic Buddhism v1.c19.s12

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Kaṭhina

v1.c19.s12.1

Another ceremony on the termination of vassāvāsa was the making of robes out of the gifts of cloth made by the laity to the bhikkhu-saṅgha within a very short time. The Saṅgha might decide upon a Kaṭhina ceremony if there were any need for it. In that case, it must announce its intention formally before the Saṅgha and obtain the unanimous consent of the members, and then select by another formal announcement the bhikkhu to be entrusted with the making of the robes. The bhikkhu so entrusted was allowed a few privileges regarding his food, dress, and rules of daily life.⁴ The ceremony would not be complete unless and until the cloths had been cut to measurement, sewn, braided or doubled where necessary, washed and dyed, distributed among the monks, and the words of thanksgiving uttered. In certain circumstances, the ceremony might be either postponed or abandoned. The bhikkhus taking part in the robe-making were allowed the use of knives with handles, needles, needle-cases, wooden frames and other appliances required in tailoring. If necessary, they could set up temporary open halls or sheds with high basement and balustrade and could have them plastered and coloured.¹

v1.c19.s12.2

⁴ Mv., vii, 1. 3.

v1.c19.s12.3

¹ Cv. v, 11.

v1.c19.s12.4

The general rule regarding the distribution of robes was that a residing bhikkhu in an āvāsa was entitled to a share in the robes, and if among the residing bhikkhus any one went away beyond the limits of the āvāsa without the intention of coming back, he was excluded from a share in the division. One, who had the intention of coming back but failed to do so before the last day of Kaṭhina ceremony, lost his privilege of sharing the robes.²

v1.c19.s12.5

² Mv, viii, 1 ff.

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