OFFERING ROBES

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ผ้าป่า or "PHA PA" means clothes - forest.

During the feast called "PHA PA", money is given to restore the temple buildings but also to get funds to build new buildings. Such tree is called money tree (เงินต้น)

The "PHA PA" ceremony can happen at any time in the year. On the contrary "THOT KATHIN" ceremony only happens once a year and just after the end of the rain retreat. The name "PHA PA" can be translated to "clothes forest". A long time ago, monks only wear clothes made from old rags of dead people. So faithful people sometimes placed clothes on the tree branches in the forest. That is the origin of the "PHA PA" ceremony.

During "THOT KATIN" (ทอดกฐิน) ceremony, robes are offered to monks.

The most famous "THOT KATHIN" ceremony in Thailand happens only for big events. It is the Royal ceremony done by the King who navigates on the "CHAO PRAYA" river in Bangkok. He travels on the famous Royal barges and goes to "WAT ARUN" (วัดอรุณ) to make donations.

During the feast called "THOT KATHIN", money is given to restore the temple buildings but also to get funds to build new buildings. After the lunch and the abbot's sermon, the ceremony is over.

"THOT KATHIN" ceremony happens after the end of the rainy season.

The aim of "THOT KATHIN" ceremony is to give clothes and other stuffs to a temple. It can be a remote temple. Often Thai groups travel far away from their home to make donate to a remote temple. It brings more merit.

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