Kathina Ceremony 2014 –Scotland’s Buddhist Vihara

The annual Kathina Ceremony of Scotland’s Buddhist Vihara was held at Partick Burgh Halls on 18th of October from 11.00am to 3.00pm. It was very successful and well attended.

The ceremony started with a beautiful parade with monks and devotees carrying the Kathina Robe for offering. The children dressed in the traditional Buddhist children's outfit ( Lamasari) was a reminder of the Sri Lankan Kathina Ceremony back home for the Sri Lankan devotees who attended from many parts of the UK.

Dr W.Kassapa Thero(OBE) chaired the ceremony which was attended by monks from Birmingham Maha Vihara, Leicester Vihara and Letchworh Vihara. Bhante Rewatha Thero, the head monk of Scotland’s Buddhist Vihara and the chief monk of Great Britain with his Dhamma brother Venerable Palitha Thero paid their respects to the late Most Venerable Bellana Nanawimala Maha Nayaka Thero , their teacher, by offering flowers to a specially erected shrine.

This was a great opportunity for new local Buddhists and members of the

Mindfulness Meditation group to experience a traditional Buddhist ceremony. They were very fortunate to get blessings from the 8 monks who attended for the 12^th Kathina Ceremony of Scotland’s Buddhist Vihara.

Dr Kenneth Hutton of the University of Glasgow gave a speech on Mindfulness in traditional Buddhism for the devotees and friends of the Vihara who attended the ceremony.

Dr Alistair Wilson, Stephanie Wilson and members of COPE mental health charity attended the ceremony along with the mindfulness group of theScottish Centre for Mindfulness which was founded by Bhante Rewatha Thero.

Every one was very grateful to the devotees of the Vihara for their generosity in organising this great annual event.

Kathina Ceremony 2014

Kathina Ceremony 2014 Photos by Malitha Yatiwella

Kathina Ceremony 2014

Invitation to the Kathina Ceremony (End of the Rains Retreat), 2014

The devotees of the Scotland Buddhist Vihara cordially invite you all to attend the annual Kathina Ceremony of the Scotland's Buddhist Vihara. Details of the Ceremony are as follows:

Date:    Saturday, the 18th of October 2014

Venue: Main Hall, Partick Burgh Halls. No 9 Burgh Hall Street, Glasgow G11 5LW

Programme of the day is as follows;

• 11:00 am - 11:15 am:     Arrival with procession
• 11:15 am - 11:30 am:     Buddha Puja (offering to the Buddha)
• 11:30 am - 12:30 pm:     Dana (offering food to the Monks)
• 12:30 pm - 01:00 pm:Offering Kathina robe to the Monks and blessings by eight Monks who                                       have arrived from Sri Lanka. Ceremony will be in English and Sinhala
• 01:00 pm - 02:00 pm:     Lunch for laypeople
• 02:00 pm - 02:30 pm: Offering Kathina robe to the monks and the sermon of the significance of                                   offering Kathina ceremony in Sinhala.
• 03:00 pm:                     End of the Kathina Ceremony

Please be advised that if you are unable to attend for the morning events, you are most welcome to attend for lunch.

The organising committee would be most appreciative if you do intend to attend, that you arrive on time. This is to ensure that the event proceeds smoothly.

In the interests of ensuring that the event goes on schedule, please inform the Scotland Buddhist Vihara as to:

1. If you are able to attend
2. How many people will be attending in your group
3. If you have any dietary requirements

Children of all ages are most welcome and parents are kindly requested to supervise their children throughout the programme.

Photography is permitted and your active participation is highly anticipated to make this event a success.

Thank you.

With metta,

Scotland’s Buddhist Vihara.