On Saturday, October 18th, 2025, the Dhammadharini Bhikkhuni Sangha gathered with lay supporters and friends at our Aranya Bodhi Forest Hermitage on the beautiful Sonoma Coast for the annual Kathina Ceremony—a joyful culmination of the Vassa (Rains Retreat) and a timeless Buddhist tradition of community and generosity.

Kathina is so much more than a robe offering. It is a festival of connection—where generosity, faith, and gratitude weave together to sustain the Sangha for the year ahead, through to Vesak in the spring.

The Meaning of Kathina

Each year, as the monastic community completes the three-month Vassa, the lay community gathers to offer essential requisites—food, medicine, robes, and supplies—supporting the Sangha’s continued life and practice. The central act of the ceremony is the offering of Kathina Civara Dana, a robe cloth formally given to the Sangha of at least five fully ordained monastics.

This cloth is then awarded to one who has completed the full Vassa retreat in purity and diligence. If the cloth given is undyed and unsewn, it must be cut, dyed, and sewn into a robe before the next dawn.

This year’s Kathina robe offering was beautifully pledged by Dinesha Kuruppuarachchi together with Buddhinie Srimali Jayathilake and Shamal Perera, whose devoted support carried throughout the 2025 Vassa.

A Gathering of the Sangha

We were blessed with a vibrant and diverse assembly of 13 Bhikkhunis, including 9 who completed the Vassa together at Dhammadharini, plus 4 visiting Bhikkhunis, including 3 visiting Therīs—Ayya Sobhana Mahatherī, Ayya Santacitta Theri, and Ayya Marajina Theri. With two novices and two anagārikas, that brought the total number of assembled monastics to 17.

This year’s Kathina held special joy as we honored Ayya Sobhana Mahatherī, Dhammadharini’s long-time Vice Abbess, for completing her 20th Vassa and bhikkhuni, and honoring her becoming a "Mahatheri" and stepping into a new chapter as Abbot of Empty Cloud Monastery in New Jersey.

A Day of Dhamma and Celebration

The day began with the Kathina robe offering ceremony—a sacred act of generosity and renewal to the Bhikkhuni Sangha. This was followed by  the bestowal of an honorary robe in recognition of Ayya Sobhana’s milestone, followed by the Amisa Dana (meal offering). The community shared in a potluck feast under the redwoods before gathering at the Stupa for Dhamma reflections, chanting, and the Kathina robe parade, carrying the energy of gratitude and blessings through the forest paths.

The afternoon concluded with the Spreading of the Kathina and heartfelt Sanghadana offerings to the Bhikkhuni Sangha—closing the day with blessings, smiles, and the shared joy of merit-making.

Offering of Support for the Kathina Season

In celebration of Kathina, the Dhammadharini Support Foundation (DDSF) invites friends and supporters to contribute to the General Fund, which enables the Sangha to respond to the most urgent needs without delay.

Priority projects include:

With Deep Gratitude

Anumodana to everyone who joined us in person and in spirit. Your generosity, presence, and joyful energy sustain the Sangha and help nurture the living Dhamma for generations to come.

May the blessings of this Kathina season bring peace, happiness, and strength to all.