Ajahn Amaro to give Kathina Afternoon Talk

Description: The Kathina Ceremony (http://www.abhayagiri.org/news/kathina-ceremony-2014) will begin after the meal clean-up at 1:00pm and will be followed by a Dhamma talk by Ajahn Amaro, former co-abbot of Abhayagiri and current abbot of Amaravati Monastery in England. All are welcome but parking is limited. Ride shares are encouraged.

KATHINA

Location: Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery

Description: Each year since the time of the Buddha, at the end of the three-month Rains Retreat, the lay community around every Buddhist monastery has gathered to celebrate the completion of the retreat and to offer to the monastic community gifts of cloth and supplies that will be useful for the coming year. The cloth is then cut, sewn and dyed by the monks to make a robe on that day to offer to one of the Saṅgha. This 2,500-year-old tradition is still carried on here in the West in the Theravadan monasteries. It is initiated by a lay supporter or a group of supporters who request to organize the preparation and formal offerings. It is both a significant and joyful occasion that, over time, has become emblematic of the richness of the relationship that exists between the lay people and the monastics. This relationship is characterized by deep bonds of friendship and commitment to mutual support. 11 a.m. Meal offering - People are welcome to bring a dish to share 1 p.m. Kaṭhina Ceremony - Refuges, Precepts and Dhamma Talk