Our Krathin Story (so far) ..

1. What is Krathin?

http://sanambin.blogspot.com/2010/10/what-is-kathina.html

2. Origins of Krathin

http://sanambin.blogspot.com/2010/10/origins-of-kathina.html

3. The Krathin Festival in Thailand

http://sanambin.blogspot.com/2010/10/kathin-festival-in-thailand.html

4. Want to know more about Krathin Festival?

http://sanambin.blogspot.com/2010/11/more-about-kathina-festival.html

5. English Website Project : Why we're writing about Krathin

http://sanambin.blogspot.com/2010/11/english-website-building-project.html

Want to know more about Krathin?

Some Useful Links

Here are extracts from Webpage we used in our research about the Krathin Festival.
The first extract says:
[Krathin] is one of the most important days
in the Theravada Buddhist calendar. 

• Do you agree?
• What's important about it?

(1) Krathin is celebrated around the world!
Here's a Website from London

http://www.desiblitz.com/content/buddhist-kathina-ceremony

(or read an extract)

(2) Read about Buddhist Festivals
on a Website for WorldReligionDay
http://www.worldreligionday.org/faith/festivals/49-festivals

(or read an extract)

(3) Visit the BuddaMind Website
http://www.buddhamind.info/leftside/lifesty-2/kathina.htm

(or read an extract)

(4) Visit a pictorial Website about Krathin
http://www.dhammagarden.com/2010/10/kathina.html

(or view an extract)

(5) Read an excellent story on HubPages
http://hubpages.com/hub/Kathina-Annual-Robe-Offerings-Ceremony

(or read an extract)

(6) Read about Krathin on Buddhist-Tourism
http://www.buddhist-tourism.com/buddhist-festivals/kathina-ceremony.html

(or read an extract)

(7) Read about Krathin in Burma (Myanmar)
http://buddhistrelief.blogspot.com/2007/11/robe-offering-kathina-ceremony.html

(or read an extract)

English Website Project - Why We Chose Krathin!

Krathin English Project

A group of students at Sanambin School created an online English Project on the subject of the Krathin Robe-Giving Ceremony. Their leadership saw the creation of Sanambin's first English language website - which they called Sanambin - learn & have fun!

Project Team
The Krathin English Project at Sanambin School has three team members - Kanokporn Juesomboonpon, Nutarinee Sudpaw, and Praepan Sorndee.
They were assisted by four Sanambin teachers - Aj Wasana Sawangsri, Aj Stephen Partington, Aj Somnuk Pongtepin, and Aj Udomyoot Klinthonchai.

Background
Our group became interested in studying the robe-giving ceremony.
We know it's a part of Buddhist culture with a long tradition - from the time of the Buddha - yet many Thai people seem to know so little about it.
Since we, like many others, were unaware of the history and meaning of the robe-giving ceremony, our group decided to learn about it, and present our findings on the internet. Then others would be able to learn about it too.
The robe-giving ceremony is different from other traditions because it happens only once a year. It takes place after the season of Lent. This year, that's from October 21 to November 21.

Objectives
1. To study the background and history of the Krathin Festival.
2. To find out the meaning the word Krathin.
3. To learn how to make an offering in the robe-giving ceremony.
4. To learn about different kinds of Krathin.

Hypothesis
Many people do not understand the history of Krathin ceremony - but knowing its history, and what happens in the ceremony, they are able to participate more meaningfully.
By learning the history of the robe-giving ceremony, we hope to participate in it with greater interest.

Steps In Creating A Website About Krathin
1. Methods of research: Internet, books, videos
2. Outcomes of study: Meaning of Krathin, ceremony details
3. Equipment: Computer, Internet connection
4. Skills: Writing in English, Web design

Outcomes And Benefits
At the conclusion of this study, we want to:
1. Know the meaning of Krathin.
2. Know the history of Krathin.
3. Know about different kinds of Krathin.
4. Know how to participate in Krathin.
5. Improve our English.
6. Learn about developing a website.

Conclusion
We chose to participate in the Krathin, and to know and preserve this culture, by designing a website that would also help new generations understand and participate in the robe-giving ceremony.

The Krathin Festival In Thailand

At Sanambin School, we celebrate Kathin every year. This year the whole school will assemble on Friday, November 5, for our Robe-Giving Ceremony. You may like to see a video our students preparedwith help from Aj Somnuk Pongtepin. 

The Thai ceremony of Krathin - Boon Krathin - is a traditional Buddhist festival that gets its name from Krathin robes worn by ordained Buddhist monks.

The Thai lunar calendar reckons Krathin to be the day after the 11th full moon as Raem 1 Kham Deuan 11 - Waning 1 Evening Moon 11. On Owk-Pansa, the day of the full moon, villagers and city dwellers go to the local temple for prayers and to pay respect to the monks at the end of their Vassa retreat.

Across Northeast Thailand, the Krathin Festival is celebrated in villages and cities with colorful parades and offering ceremonies at local temples. 

In Bangkok, the presentation of Kathin by the King of Thailand or his representative is called the Royal Krathin Ceremony. It is a very special occasion when people from all over the world gather to see a Procession of the Royal Barge. 

The Origins Of Krathin

Here is a brief version of how the Krathin began ..

Legend has it that 30 bhikkhus went on a journey, intending to spend Vassa with Gautama Buddha, when the rains began early. According to Buddha's guidelines for Vassa, mendicant monks should not travel in the rainy season as they may unintentionally harm crops or insects during their journey. So the monks were obliged to stop before reaching their destination.  After their delayed arrival, the Buddha rewarded them for demonstrating wisdom, and gave them a way to practice sharing and generosity. A lay disciple had previously donated cloth to the Buddha. Now the Buddha gave that cloth to the group of monks and told them to make a robe - and then to offer it to one of them as a gift. The monks made the garment using a Krathina frame to stretch the cloth while it was being sewn. Ah, so there's where the Festival gets its name!

 How do you feel when someone gives you a gift?

What is Krathin?

Krathin is a Buddhist festival that comes at the end of Vassa, the three-month rainy season retreat for Theravada Buddhists. It's a time of giving, when lay people express their gratitude to monks by bringing donations to the temple.

 For a more detailed view of the traditions behind Krathin,
please enjoy the video - with sub-titles in English.

 The gifts at this festival include new robes for the monks, a practice that reflects the origins of Krathin. The robe-giving ceremony is a highlight of the festival. A monastery may hold a Krathin festival during the month that begins after the full moon of the eleventh month in the Lunar calendar - usually October.