Thread: Memory Lane (In my own language)

Katin (Overview)

In Buddha’s time, as one of his decrees stating that material possessions were the source of much human misery and longing. He instructed his monks not to burden themselves with anything beyond a simple robe and a few necessary personal items, such as razors, pot and needles.

Apart from teaching monks humility, he showed them how to cut, sew, and dye the robes for themselves.

Since monks had to wear robes so, the only way to make one was from collecting discarded cloth thrown away by people or from corpses’ unused wrappings in the cemeteries/grave yards then washing, dyeing and sewing those pieces together to become robes.

In the meantime, people saw how struggling those monks were in making robes to wear so, they decided to make for them but since Buddha had not made a statement allowing monks to take those robes offered by people so, those people had to leave their newly made robes here and there along the way where the monks were supposed to walk past pretending that those were discarded.

This kind of robe is called “Pa Pa (Wild cloth / the first ‘pa’ is pronounced higher, the second ‘pa’ is pronounced lower)”.

The name ‘katin’ is called a wooden frame Buddhists use to stretch remnants of cloth then sew the pieces together before dying to make robes for monks. This kind of robe is called “Pa Katin (Katin cloth)”.






Hence comes the terms “Tod Katin” which means "laying down Katin cloth” and “Tod Pa Pa” which means “laying down wild cloth”. In modern way, those 2 kinds of robe are the very same.

Later on, those two become parts of the religious tradition of Buddhism. Tod Katin festival lasts for 30 days, from Ork Phansa (the end of Buddhist lent) through to the full moon of the twelfth lunar month while Tod Pa Pa can be performed at any time of the year.

During this time, most Buddhists take part in these two ceremonies, either directly or indirectly, to show their appreciation to the monks of their local temples. They would supply them with everything else they need. Apart from Pa Katin/Pa Pa, more such as food, useful household items, cleaning supplies and etc. are also included.

Those offerings are carried to the temple in a procession, often involving brightly colored costumes and music, with the gifts piled up on floats or carried on trays.




Among the procession of the offerings, there is money which is usually presented in the form of a padetha tree.

A padetha tree is a common way of collecting gifts and money from local people. A wooden structure is to set up resembling a tree wrapped in silver or gold paper. People would attach cash and other valuable gifts on the branches.

These padetha trees which serve as a part of Tod Katin/Tod Pa Pa are then presented to the monks.

Such trees can often be seen standing by the side of the roads or in the marketplaces or other public places.




When the procession arrives at the temple, there is a formal ceremony during which Pa Katin/Pa Pa and other stuff would be presented to the monks then followed by a blessing and other festivities.

Today, however, the ritual has evolved dramatically into a grand celebration. Elaborate temples i.e. large or well-known are more likely to be the target. Hundreds and thousands of people instead of just local group join in the merit making. It is also an important occasion for the temples to raise funds.

Sacredness dwindles, alas…



(Royal Katin presided by King Rama V at Wat Bowonniwet, 1900)