Traditional Thai Theravada Kathina offerings at Pu Xian Vihara Kathina event

This unique event offered devotees a rare opportunity to witness monks and nuns from diverse schools gathering in shared practice for this important annual observance.

The ceremony immersed attendees in a rich spiritual tapestry, featuring chanting in Chinese, Thai, and Tibetan styles. This harmonious blend created an atmosphere both unique and uncommon for the Vihara.

A significant effort was made by the organizers to source the correct robes for offering to monastics from all traditions, a task that required extra dedication as the temple's Kathina celebrations have traditionally involved monks from the Thai Theravada school.

According to Bro. Tan Kooi Beng, Secretary of Pu Xian Vihara, the committee was determined to make this year's event truly special. “At our Pu Xian Vihara Kathina this year, we have monks from different traditions. There are Thai and Myanmar Theravada monks, European Tibetan monks, and local and Chinese Mahayana monks. They will sit together to receive the robe," he said.

Multi Traditional Kathina offerings at Pu Xian Vihara

Bro. Kooi Beng also emphasized a core focus on inclusivity. "Our method is, whoever comes for Kathina — whether a person donates money or not — we give them a robe to offer. This is unique from other Kathina protocols. In other places, you must pay to offer a robe. We give everyone a chance to make offerings, regardless of whether the person is rich or poor."

This emphasis on inclusivity aligns perfectly with Pu Xian Vihara's annual objective to deliver a "Dharma for the millions" programme.

"The aim is not so much to raise money to support Dharma work or the monastic Sangha, but to allow people from all walks of life to participate and partake in the merits of generosity, in the spirit of dana," explained Bro. Kooi Beng.


Big turn out at Pu Xian Vihara Kathina event this year

He further elaborated on their community-centric approach: "We invite the elderly from poor families, handicapped individuals, and orphanages to come. We give them vegetarian food to eat and a robe to offer. This gives them a way to perform a good deed."

He added, "We also provide free joss sticks and free candles to everyone who comes to the temple to pray."

Though a small Buddhist centre, Pu Xian Vihara's open-hearted and all-inclusive approach is making the Dharma accessible to a growing number of people.

By blending free community participation with rituals from the major Buddhist schools, the Vihara allows devotees to appreciate the beauty of the Buddha's teachings in all their varied spectrums.

The pioneering multi traditional Kathina programme initiated by Pu Xian Vihara is a model that deserves to be emulated elsewhere.