The Kathin Offering Model for Thai Buddhists

Abstract

The objectives of this research were: 1) to study the Kathin Offering in Theravada Buddhism, 2) to study the Kathin Offering traditions in Thai society, 3) to propose the Kathin Offering model for Thai Buddhists. This was a qualitative research done by studying documentaries and in-depth interview of Buddhist experts. In this study, the research tools were interview forms focusing on Kathin Offering model for Thai Buddhists. In this research, it was found that the Kathin Offering in Buddhist scriptures basically refered to merit making in Buddhism derived from the Order concerning Kathin Offering which was prescribed by the Buddha to Buddhist monks who observed the trains-retreat in the same place for three months; the numbers of Buddhist monk should not be less than five thereby the Kathin robe-making ceremony could be done after rain-retreat within one month. It was said that this was a special donation given by the Buddha without any request with a view to providing robes, Sangha’s harmony, benefit and support to Buddhist monks who behaved morally. Later on, Kathin robe had been brought to members of Sangha after the rain-retreat and then this was called Kathin Offering ceremony till the present. In Thai society, the Kathin Offering ceremony had been developed since Sukhothai period and it was categorized as religious rite by King Rama the fifth. In this matter, the Kathin Offering model varied depending upon its type and aspect. On the one hand, in the royal Kathin Offering ceremony it was performed according to the palace’s and religious department’s ways of observation, on the other hand, in people’s Kathin Offering ceremony, it was determined by the host and people in the those communities while performing its ceremony. In order to have the good picture of its ceremony, it was necessary for Buddhist people to properly understand the mentioned process suitable to Buddhist principle wherein the relationship between Buddhist Sangha and general people in the community could be made according to the Buddhist ways of practices leading to the successfulness of the Kathin Offering ceremony. In the Kathin Offering model in the present Thai society, few followed traditional ways of practice or Small Kathin robe. It, first, could be processed by taking robe-making ceremony based on the Order by which this should not be mistaken in the future. It, therefore, was necessary for Thai Buddhists to have proper understanding of the desirable Kathin Offering model for which the Order observation could be protected in order to preserve and promote Thai beautiful ceremony of Kathin Offering according to religious rite and this would support the sufficiency, harmony and wisdom of people in general.