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Message for Kathin Chibar Dana for Bangladesh Buddhist Monastery at Bodhgaya
Saturday 1 November 2003 from John D. Hughes


7 October 2003

Professor Dr. Bikiran Barua
Coordinator
Bangladesh Buddhist Monastery Construction and Management Committee, Bodhgaya.



My dear friend in the Dhamma

Thank you for all your loving prayers that have no doubt helped me to recover.

I am taking one years rest from formal teaching to focus all my attention to full recovery of my health. I will paint and perhaps write some books.

Thank you for the wonderful accolade you have delivered for my 73rd birth anniversary. It was read on my birthday in the presence of several members of the Sangha. We video taped the event. You may see it on your next visit to Australia.

I accept the great honour of the title "DHAMMARATNA" jewel of Dhamma bestowed on to me by Aburkhil Janakalyan Samitit-Bangladesh and the Buddhist devotees of Dhamma Village Aburkhil.

Thank you for your love and support in celebrating my contribution to the Buddha sasene. I do whatever I can.

My message for the Kathin Chibar Dana for Bangladesh Buddhist Monastery at Bodhgaya Ceremony, as per your request, follows.

Thank you for your support and ongoing friendship.

With Metta
Yours in the Dhamma

John D. Hughes.


Message for Kathin Chibar Dana for Bangladesh Buddhist Monastery at Bodhgaya Saturday 1 November 2003 from John D. Hughes, Founder, Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd. Council Adviser, World Buddhist University.


Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Samasambuddhasa

Most Venerable Members of the Sangha, Brothers and Sisters in the Dhamma,

I take refuge in the Buddha , The Dhamma, The Sangha and bow to this great assembly gathered together here.

Thank you Professor Bikiran Barua for the honour of sending a message to be read at this auspicious occasion that generates blessings for all sentient beings.

The kathina story is worth retelling. During the lifetime of Gautama Buddha (the Historical Buddha), there was a group of thirty Monks from a town called Patha travelling to Jeta Grove Monastery to see the Buddha.

Realising they would not arrive at Jeta Grove Monastery in time for the Rains Retreat, they decided to stay at Saketu town.

Having stayed at Saketu for three months they continued their journey through all kinds of weather, then made haste in order to see the Lord Buddha.

All their Saffron Robes were worn out and spoiled by the end of the journey.

These difficulties were known to the Buddha.
He therefore set down for the first time a rule for the Monks that enables them to receive a set of Robes which is offered for personal use.
The Kathina Robes Ceremony was originated at that time and has continued to the present time.

After the Robes Presentation was completed, the Lay Practitioners Offered Dana to the Sangha

The Kathina ceremony is also known as the Robe-offering or Robe-presentation ceremony. The benefit of the Kathina ceremony is one of mutual support between Monks and lay persons.

Each year at this time Members from our Centre attend a number of Kathina Ceremonies at different temples throughout Melbourne.

Congratulations to the organisers and all beings, seen and unseen who have successfully worked to bring about this ceremony.

For the giver of Kathina Robes the merit is very great.
For the benefactor, the merits are:
1. will bring wealth and fortune, together with success in following one's career;
2. will bring constant freshness, brilliance and purity of mind;
3. will facilitate concentration of the mind and attainment with ease of the Dhamma inside;
4. will bring about wisdom in using one's wealth for the creation of long-term benefit, nurturing and protecting oneself not only in this life, but also in those to come;
5. will bring physical beauty and radiance of complexion, making one loved by all;
6 will bring one fame and respect, praise and admiration: the inspiration of those around one;
7. will cause one to be reborn in the heavenly realms when this life is done.
Hence the fleshing out of this Review includes good examples of meritorious deeds which we hope inspires persons to echo by iteration in their own Dana practices.

I am so happy to be well enough to write you this message. It is only by the power of the Buddha Dhamma that I am alive today to be able to provide this service to you.

There is another way of thinking about the history of the kathina period.

All ceremonies in Buddhism take place on auspicious dates and times. The full moon day of the 11th month, which always falls in October or November, is an important day for the Monks. It is Wan Ok - Phansa or the end of the Buddhist "Lent".
After that date, Monks are once again allowed to spend nights outside the Temple, as well as to leave the Monkhood while other men may ordain as Monks. It also marks the date when KATHINA ceremony can begin.

This ceremony takes place at every Temple in all Buddhist countries. During the whole of the following month, that of the 12th lunar month, Kathin or offerings of robes are made before all the Monks in the Temple.

Historically and traditionally the main offerings at the Kathina ceremony have always been, and still are, cloth from which to make new robes.

Nowadays, ready- made brand-new robes are given.
Other gifts are presented as well, such as blankets, kitchen utensils and various necessities of Temple life, as well as money by making donations to needy Temple in order to make merit.

I thank all those of you who have aided my recovery with their blessings and prayers .

In the gathering of this kathina (robes giving) ceremony organised by persons born in Bangladesh and India, there is no racism evident as Monks and laypersons born in many different counties are in attendance, generating harmony and wellbeing for all.

May you experience the merits and blessings of offering robes at the Kathina ceremony.

Having almost passed from this life, I know that Buddha Dhamma is the best medicine.