MANGALA VIHARA

(BUDDHIST TEMPLE)

Kathina Celebration 16th October 2011

30 Jalan Eunos Singapore 419495 Tel: 67444285 | Fax: 67441912 Website: www.mangalavihara.org.sg

ANNUAL KATHINA CELEBRATION ON SUNDAY, 16 OCTOBER 2011

All are welcome

Offering Kathina Robes

PROGRAMME
5.30 am All members and devotees to assemble in the Main Shrine Hall to collect your individual robes and gifts. PLEASE CARRY THE ROBE(S) IN A RESPECTFUL MANNER. IT IS AN OFFERING. 6.30 am Mr Philip Chan, representing the members and devotees, will carry the Kathina Robe and lead the procession from the main Entrance of the Shrine Hall, and go round the temples compound thrice. What is so special about Kathina robes? 7.00 am 7.15 am 11.00 am 11.30 am 6.45 pm 7.00 pm 7.45 pm 8.00 pm Presentation of the Kathina Robe and gifts to the Maha Sangha Buddha Puja (Offering of lights, incense, flowers, etc) Breakfast for all Buddha Puja (Offering of lights, incense, flowers, etc) and transferring of merits Sanghika Dana followed by lunch Maha Bodhi Puja Buddha Puja followed by the recitation of Parittas Sermon on the significance of Kathina celebration Transferring of Merits Kathina robes are offered to the Sangha in a monastery only once a year, during a specified period. It starts from the end of Vassa to the next full moon day. Kathina robes can be offered between the days following the full moon of October to the full moon of November. Kathina robes are offered to the Sangha, and not to any individual monk. This rare opportunity is what makes it so special. When we say I offer this robe to the Sangha, we mean all the Sangha or the community of Bhikkhus in the world. This includes those who gained enlightenment and those who are yet to be enlightened. Sangha means the community of monks which must consist of a group of at least four monks. Today, when you offer the Kathina robes, you will offer them to the Sangha; that means all noble disciples of the Buddha not only the Enlightened Ones. The monks, who have successful observed their vassa in Mangala Vihara and celebrated Pavarana, will then celebrate Kathina Day.

Benefits for Lay People

1. Wherever they go, they do so freely and they are protected against dangers and disturbances. 2. They can perform their tasks easily. Their belongings will not be destroyed by enemies even when they are far away from their belongings. If they go anywhere they do so lightly, happily, easily and with fewer burdens. 3. They will not suffer from hunger (of food) nor any harm from food. 4. Their belongings will not be destroyed by these five enemies - water, fire, king (government), thief and bad children; but their belongings will be kept safe even though they have forgotten about them for a long time. They will have plentiful clothing. 5. Their belongings will not be taken away by others. They will gain greater profit of their commercial affairs than others and may even win lottery. One of the stanzas chanted during Kathina glorifies the greatness of merit gained in performing Kathina, Even this solid earth, or a solid rock or a piece of diamond could tremble, shake or break at times but the merit obtained by offering the Kathina robe could not be nullified by anything until one achieves the ultimate goal of Nibbna. That is why it is called Kathina (Unshakable). In the Thergath, a disciple named Ngitha recalled the glorious benefits of having offered the Kathina robe to the Maha Sangha he was never born in the lower planes of existence (like the spirit world or animal realm) but only in higher or blissful realms like the divine planes or human world. The merit thus obtained was very helpful to him to realize the ultimate truth. However, even the merit of offering Kathina robes cannot help a person from suffering the consequences if he had committed any of the five heinous crimes (patricide, matricide, murder of an arahat, wounding of a Buddha or causing schism in the Sangha). For minor bad deeds, the positive power of offering Kathina robes could reduce or impeach their negative effects. Furthermore, one could be blessed with happiness, health, long life, good complexion, physical strength and wisdom in ones wandering in Samsra until the goal of Nibbna is achieved.

Many types of merit accrued to those who: 1. Look after the needs of monks during this period. 2. Participate in Dhamma sermons, Dhamma discussion, meditation programmes and chanting of Parittas. 3. Make offerings of Kathina robes and other gifts on Kathina day. Privileges for Kathina-Monk* From those observing vas, only one monk will be nominated by them to receive the Kathina robe Going to other families without having to inform other monks present, after accepting an invitation of alms meal; Privileges of not having to observe the Vinaya rules in respect of the set of three robes; Participate in groups meal without need for permission from Chief monk; Having as many robes as given without having to share them with other monks; Sharing the benefits and merits of the Kathina amongst the monks and laypeople (merits)

KATHINA PROCESSION : SUNDAY, 16 OCT 2011

Time Place of Assembly Supervisor : : : 6.30 am sharp Main Shrine Hall Mr Lim Ah Swan (Chairman)

ALL PARTICIPANTS TO BE PRESENT BY 6.00 AM (in FULL WHITE ATTIRE) Names

1. Mr Jimmy Tan 2. Mr Siri Lim 3. Mr Gilbert Chia 4. Mrs Michelle Chan 5. Mdm Foo Woon Chun 6. Mdm Helen Tan 7. Mr Philip Chan 8. Mr Phua Hang Meng 9. Mdm Cara Lee 10. Ms Adeline Wee 11. Ms Dorothy Tan 12. Ms Maureen Teo 13. Ms Lee Mee Yin /Mr Glenn Ong 14. Respective Donors 15. Members & Devotees 16. Mr Patrick Sng & Group 17. Mr Sunny Boon : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :

Duty
The Buddhist Flag Yellow Candle Yellow Candle Joss-stick Joss-stick Joss-stick Kathina Robe Ceremonial Umbrella Tray of Bunga Rampai Tray of Sireh Bouquet of Flowers Tray of Flowers Photographer Individual Robes & Gifts Candles & Joss-sticks Sound System Ringing the Bell

Acknowledgements
Mangala Vihara (Buddhist Temple), Resident Monk, Ven U Cittara, Assistant Monks, Ven Dr Ashin Acara, Ven P Seelananda, Ven Raja & The Management Committee wish to thank all members & devotees for coming forward to make this KATHINA DAY a very successful one.

MAY THE BLESSINGS OF THE TRIPLE GEM BE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ALWAYS