Tradition: Cambodia's annual Kathina celebration begins tomorrow

Cambodia will be celebrating Kathina, one of the Kingdom's most important Buddhist festivals, from October 18 to November 15. The Khmer Krom region will be visited by the President of the Senate, Hun Sen, on this occasion.

The term “Kathina”, derived from the Pali language, refers to pieces of cloth, or Chivara, the robes of Buddhist monks, offered by the faithful to monks who have not left their pagodas to collect alms as usual for three months (Chol Vossa or Rainy Retreat).

Every year, a fortnight after the Pchum Ben festival, the Kathina period follows, lasting almost a month, from the first day of the waning Assoch moon to the fifteenth day of the full Kattik moon.

During this twenty-nine-day period, Cambodians from all walks of life donate materials and money to help Buddhist monks improve the interior of their pagodas.

Kathina, celebrated annually throughout Cambodia, is a festival of solidarity between Cambodians from all walks of life. This year, Cambodia plans to hold a Kathina celebration called the “Great Kathina of Khmer Family Solidarity” in the Khmer Krom region early next month. Khmer Krom is a region in south-west Vietnam inhabited by Khmers who remain deeply attached to their culture, religion, customs, traditions and ancestral lands. The language spoken remains Khmer, albeit with a few variations.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen, President of the Senate, has declared that the Kathina planned in Khmer Krom will be organized by the PPC, the Royal Government, the National Assembly, the Senate, the monastic institution and other national institutions.

According to Hun Sen, a religious ceremony will be held at the Palais du 7 janvier, the CPP headquarters in Phnom Penh, on November 3, 2024, in the presence of himself and his wife. The following day, the latter will personally take part in Kathina's procession to Khmer Krom in the company of Samdech Kitti Sangahapundit Men Sam An, member of His Majesty the King's Supreme Privy Council and Vice-President of the CPP, and many other senior officials.