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Grammatical Analysis
Kaṭhina: [nt.] The wooden frame used for sewing robes; the special robe offering ceremony. Etymologically implies something hard, firm, or durable (referring to the privileges it grants).
Orthodox Definition
The Kaṭhina is the major annual robe-offering festival in the Theravāda tradition. It takes place during a strict one-month window immediately following the end of the Rains Retreat (Vassa).
Laypeople offer raw cloth to the Saṅgha. The monks must then undergo a highly specific, time-sensitive legal procedure: they must cut, sew, and dye the cloth into a finished robe within a single day. The Saṅgha then formally bestows this “Kaṭhina robe” upon one specific monk who is deemed worthy (usually the most senior or the poorest in robes).
When the Kaṭhina is successfully spread (kaṭhina-tthāra), it grants all the monks who spent the rains in that monastery a five-month suspension of several strict Vinaya rules regarding travel, eating, and keeping extra robes. It is considered one of the most meritorious acts a layperson can perform.
Quote
‘Imāya saṅghāṭiyā kathinaṃ attharāmī’ti vācā bhinditabbā’’tiādinā parivāre vuttavidhānena kathinaṃ attharitabbaṃ.
The declaration “I lay the Kathina with this saṅghāṭī” should be made, and the Kathina should be laid in accordance with the procedure stated in the Parivāra, as mentioned.Attharitvā ca pana ‘‘tena kathinatthārakena bhikkhunā saṅghaṃ upasaṅkamitvā ekaṃsaṃ uttarāsaṅgaṃ karitvā añjaliṃ paggahetvā evamassa vacanīyo – ‘atthataṃ bhante saṅghassa kathinaṃ, dhammiko kathinatthāro, anumodathā’ti tehi anumodakehi bhikkhūhi ekaṃsaṃ uttarāsaṅgaṃ karitvā añjaliṃ paggahetvā evamassa vacanīyo – ‘atthataṃ āvuso saṅghassa kathinaṃ, dhammiko kathinatthāro, anumodāmā’’ti evamādinā parivāre vuttavidhāneneva anumodāpetabbaṃ, itarehi ca anumoditabbaṃ.
And after laying it, that bhikkhu who has laid the Kathina should approach the Saṅgha, arrange his upper robe over one shoulder, raise his hands in añjali, and say thus: “Venerables, the Saṅgha’s Kathina has been laid; the laying of the Kathina is lawful. May you rejoice!” And those bhikkhus who are to rejoice should arrange their upper robes over one shoulder, raise their hands in añjali, and say thus: “Friends, the Saṅgha’s Kathina has been laid; the laying of the Kathina is lawful. We rejoice!” In this manner, it should be caused to be rejoiced, following the procedure stated in the Parivāra, and the others should rejoice.— Mahāvagga-aṭṭhakathā
Textual References
- Vinaya: Mahāvagga (Kaṭhinakkhandhaka) – The Buddha allows the Kaṭhina privileges after seeing thirty ascetic monks arriving in Sāvatthī soaked by the rain in worn-out robes.
- Commentary: Samantapāsādikā – The extraordinarily complex legal requirements to ensure the cloth is cut, sewn, and offered without invalidating the procedure.