Royal Kathin returns to China for the first time since pandemic

Guangji Monastery, in the heart of Beijing, is usually filled with the yellow and orange hues of autumn leaves at this time of year, but last weekend, it was also filled with good wishes and royal yellow.

The sound of Buddhist chants floated through the crisp morning air, as a delegation from Thailand offered Royal Kathin, in celebration of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s 72nd birthday.

The term ‘Kathin’ comes from the word ‘Kathina’ in Pali, which refers to the saffron robe worn by Buddhist monks.

“This year’s Royal Kathin ceremony holds great significance and is a special occasion, as part of the celebrations of His Majesty the King’s 72nd birthday,” said the Vice Foreign Minister of Thailand, Russ Jalichandra.

It is traditionally held within a month of the end of Buddhist Lent. This is also the first Royal Kathin ceremony to be held in China since the pandemic.

The Vice Foreign Minister told Thai PBS World that the Royal Kathin project has been running for over 30 years. In the beginning, robes were only sent to Buddhist temples in Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia.

“Today, the project has expanded significantly and continues to succeed in strengthening relationships with other countries,” he added.

The first Royal Kathin Ceremony in China was organized by the Thai Foreign Ministry in 1996.

In addition to China, this year’s series of Royal Kathin ceremonies will be held in Laos, Myanmar, India, Cambodia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Guangji Monastery is one of China’s most significant Buddhist temples, because it is also the headquarters of the Buddhist Association of China.

Since its establishment in 1953, the association has played a vital role in promoting Buddhism and engaging in people-to-people diplomacy.

The Chinese host for the ceremony, The Most Venerable Yan Jue, is an alumnus of Maha Chulalongkorn Rajavidyalaya University in Thailand. He was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Philosophy in Buddhist Studies in 2016 and is currently the abbot of Guangji Monastery and president of the Buddhist Association of China.

A Thai business owner in Beijing, who attended the ceremony, told Thai PBS that “this is an opportunity to strengthen the friendship between Thailand and China, as well as to celebrate His Majesty the King’s 72nd birthday.”

A Thai student said that she is happy take part in the event. “Since coming here, I’ve never had a chance to attend a Buddhist event like this… I’m very glad to have the opportunity… This place is different from Thailand, but being here makes me feel good.”

A Chinese participant said he “feels happy and honoured to be part of it. It’s a grand and sacred ceremony, befitting of royalty.”

Apart from the ‘Kathin’, a donation of 132,440 RMB (662,200 Baht/~US$19,600) includes royal temple maintenance funds, granted by His Majesty the King, contributions for royal charities from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and donations from Thai and Chinese devotees.

“The fact that we are organising activities together with the Chinese authorities shows that Thailand and China have a close relationship and share a historical and religious bond. As the saying goes, 'Thailand and China are not distant; we are siblings,” said the Thai Ambassador to the People's Republic of China, Chatchai Viriyavejakul.

By Charinya Limprapuwiwattana