Following the traditional three-month vassa retreat at Santi, this year’s Kathina celebration was held on Sunday 20th October, and was a successful and enjoyable day for all.
As with last year’s Kathina, we were blessed by the ‘weather devas’ with sublime conditions – the perfect temperature, a small breeze and a clear blue sky. We had an abundance of monastic sangha present on the day – with 6 monks and 6 nuns representing a variety of Buddhist traditions, and around 200-250 people attending.
We are very grateful to Gia Hieu and Tam Ngan Nguyen who generously took on organising the event this year and coordinated a large group of devoted Vietnamese supporters and practitioners, mostly from the Sydney area. There were many people who humbly and seamlessly worked together behind the scenes to produce an abundance of food and offerings, and erected a large marquee – thank you to Lemai, Phoong, and Garry.
We are always very grateful to our consistent supporters from Dubbo too, who arrive the day before to help set up the grounds and put up decorations to make it festive, and cook and clean and offer all sorts of support – Sam, Shashika, Amil and their families, as well as their extended family and friends from Sydney.
Thanks also to many others who helped in so many ways, (esp. Lisa, Nhu, Nathan, and others)… Everyone worked so well together with amazing kindness and goodwill to create a harmonious and beautiful event to recollect the Buddha’s teaching and to support the monastery and sangha.
Sadhu Anumodana!
May the blessings of the Triple Gem continue to shine on all of you.
Many thanks to Mr Vu Nang Hien and Mr Michael Le who have shared these lovely photos of the day, and Mr Thien Nguyen for the short film (follow the links below):
Santi Kathina Photos 2019 (Mr Vu Nang Hien)