Thai gov’t launches national Kathina celebration

Illustrative image (Photo: NNT)

The Thai government is encouraging faithful Buddhists across the country to observe the Kathina celebration, with a national celebration period set from October 11 to November 8 this year. Observed after Buddhist Lent, Kathina is a celebration where Buddhists offer new robes to monks, along with other donations.

Prior to the Cabinet’s meeting, Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha watched a presentation from the Ministry of Culture on this year’s Kathina celebration during which Minister of Culture Itthiphol Khunpluem observed a demonstration of the Chula Kathina celebration from Wat Phrong Madua’s cultural learning center in Nakhon Pathom.

The Prime Minister on this occasion participated in the tradition of placing a flag on a Kathina tree while inviting observers of Buddhism in Thailand to participate in the celebration, in order to help preserve and pass on this tradition.

Kathina is a tradition observed by people of all social classes in Thailand, with the palace organising the Royal Kathina celebration every year. The celebrations can be arranged privately, or in groups.

The Kathina celebration usually takes place over a period of one month, with the royal Kathina ceremony officially starting October 18./.

VNA