Ti-Ratana Penchala Community Centre joyously invites you to participate in the meritorious Kathina Festival at 2 forest monasteries in Khorat (Nakhon Ratchasima) province, Thailand:
Wat Khao Yai Charoendham, under abbot Ven. Luang Por Uthai Siridharo
Wat Ratanawan, under abbot Ven. Tan Ajahn Nyanadhammo
If you are interested to join us, click below to view the itinerary & to register .Click here to register
The trip includes visit of famous Wat Sothon marble temple, Bang Pakong river cruise and the popular dairy farm attraction, Farm Chokchai. Option to extend stay in Bangkok can be arranged.
ABOUT KATHINA FESTIVAL
Kathina is a Buddhist festival which comes at the end of Vassa, the three-month rainy season retreat for Theravada Buddhist monks. It is a time for the laity to express gratitude to monks. Lay Buddhists bring donations to temples, especially new robes for the monks.
As the legend goes, thirty bhikkhus were journeying with the intention of spending Vassa with Gautama Buddha. However, Vassa began before they reached their destination and they had to stop. According to Buddha's guidelines for Vassa, mendicant monks shouldn't travel during the rainy season as they may unintentionally harm crops and insects during their journey. As such, the monks had to stop.
Afterwards, the Buddha rewarded the monks by demonstrating a way to practice sharing and generosity. A lay disciple had previously donated cloth to the Buddha, so the Buddha now gave that cloth to the group of monks and told them to make it into a robe and then offer it as a gift to one of them. A frame, called a Kathina, was used to spread the robe while it was being made.
Accounts of Vassa and Kathina are found in the Mahavagga volume of the Vinaya Pitaka, the Buddhist scriptures pertaining to monastic rules for monks and nuns.
PROFILE OF Ven. Luang Por Uthai Siridharo
Ven. Luang Por Uthai Siridharo was born in Yasothon province of Thailand on March 12, 1936. As a teenager, he helped his parents tending their rice fields. At age 21, he ordained as a Buddhist monk in Amnat Charoen province on May 9, 1956. After 3 rains retreat, he went to search for a meditation teacher and proceeded to have periods of discipleship under Ven. Ajahn Sim, Ven. Ajahn Wein and Ven. Ajahn Fan Acharo. After the passing away of Ven. Ajahn Fan Acharo in 1977, he mainly resided at Wat Tham Phra Phu Wua in Nong Khai province. In 2006, he was invited by Ven. Ajahn Maha Boowa to set up Wat Khao Yai Charoendham, where he is currently residing
PROFILE OF Ven. Tan Ajahn Nyanadhammo
Ven. Tan Ajahn Nyanadhammo was born in Adelaide, Australia in 1955 and studied biology at university. His contact with the Dhamma via reading a Buddhist book eventually drove him to Thailand to receive his novice ordination in 1978 at Wat Bowon Niwet Wiharn in Bangkok. Full ordination followed in 1979 at the age of 24, under Ven. Ajahn Chah at Wat Nong Pah Pong in Ubon Ratchathani province. In 2002, he became the abbot of Wat Pah Nanachat, a branch monastery of Wat Nong Pah Pong with an international community of English speaking monks. In 2007, he became abbot of Wat Ratanawan, where he is currently residing.
Limited to 20 seats only. Deadline by 15 Sep 2011 with deposit or once we reach 20 seats. Confirmation is base on first come first serve with payment. Please note flight ticket will be cheaper when you book early.
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