The Khatein Ceremony:

The Buddhist Lent coincides with the monsoon season. By the canons of the monkhood, the monks are allowed to own only three sets of holy robes. After three months of monsoon rains however it is inevitable that these robes would be ragged and need replacements. Consequently, Lord Buddha had allowed the laity to offer new holy robes for the monks between the full moon day of Thadingyut (October) and the full moon day of Tazaungmon (November). These ceremonies are called Khatein ceremonies and are Buddhist religious ceremonies and held all over the country at monasteries.

The offerings would not only be holy robes but also other items that would be useful for monks; blankets, cupboards, wall clocks etc. These are hung on bamboo frames and on the morning of the fullmoon of Tazaungmon the devoutees carry their offerings to the respective monasteries.

Offering of special robes and other gifts made to the Order of monks during the seasons keeps alive the true spirit of offering, as taught by the Buddha. All the gifts are offered to the Order so that the needs of the poorest monks are suitably supplied. According to the rule a group of monks who have spent the lent under a senior monk in a monastery is eligible as an institution to accept the gifts called the Kathina gifts.

During this season, wooden triangular structures one placed in market or in decorated marquees by the wayside. Each structure is hung with gifts, like sets of yellow robes, towels, napkins, cups and such useful things big and small. They are Kathina gifts and anyone is welcome to hang whatever he wishes to contribute, a kyat note, or a handkerchief or a cake of soap-no matter however small.The word padetha tree is synonymous with plenty and inexhaustible wealth.

The origin of Kahtein robe offering dates back to the lifetime of the Lord Buddha. Stone inscriptions and Myanmar literature bear evidence to the Kahtein robe offering festival in Tazaungmon since the Bagan period (9th to 13th century A.D.) or even earlier. Myanmar chronicles have records of the kahtein robe offering festival sponsored and participated in, by royalty.

Associated with the festival of the Kahtein robe offering is the weaving of Ma-thoe-thingan, which if literally translated means “no-stale” robe. Ma-thoe-thingan is a monk’s garment (robe) to be woven by hand and completed during the night of the full moon of Tazaungmon before the next day dawns. If the weaving of this garment takes longer than the allotted period, the garment is regarded as stale. Competitions of Ma-tho-thingan weaving on full moon night of Tazaungmon are annually held till today at great pagodas like Shwedagon, Botahtaung, and Sule in Yangon and at prominent pagodas in other towns.

Individual and group competitions are held on the pagoda precinct throughout the night. A large crowd gathers to watch and cheer the competitors, while music and dance were performed to entertain the spectators and to create a festive atmosphere.