It was a quiet Sunday morning in Canberra.  But if you happened to walk into Wat Dhammadharo, or Thai Buddhist Temple of ACT, located in Lyneham, last Sunday, you’d be surprised to see several hundreds of people gathering for the Royal Kathina ceremony.  A tradition followed for over 2,500 years, the Kathina ceremony marks the time when Buddhists make an offering of a Kathina cloth, or robe, to the Sangha, or Buddhist monks.  The Royal Kathina ceremony refers to the robe being graciously offered by His Majesty the King of Thailand, through a representative.  For Devarada Buddhists, taking part in the Kathina ceremony stands as the highest offering and the most meritorious of good deeds.  During the ceremony more than 30 monks from all over Australia jointly chanted for more than 400 people who took part in offering the robes and other requisites to the monks.  Before the formal ceremony, there were around 19 food stalls set up to give free meal to all, as another gesture of doing the merit.

          The Royal Thai Embassy deems it a great honor to join the Thai community in Canberra and surrounding area in this special ceremony. Ambassador Nantana Sivakua, together with Team Thailand Canberra, wish to express our gratitude to Venerable Phra Rajsilaporn, the Abbot of Wat Dhammadaro, and the Sangha community in Australia for granting this auspicious occasion.