A Critical Study of Contemporary Kathina Ceremony in Myanmar: Socio-ethical Perspective · SBAM Repository

Title

A Critical Study of Contemporary Kathina Ceremony in Myanmar: Socio-ethical Perspective

Author

Ashin Cittara

Level

MA

Class

Research

Type

Dissertation

Format

PDF

Language

English

Subject

Buddhist Studies

Date

2023

Place

Mandalay

Publisher

Sitagu Buddhist Academy Mandalay

Rights Holder

Sitagu Buddhist Academy Mandalay

Abstract

The Kathina ceremony plays a vital role in the festivals held in current Myanmar. It has a classic problem in a successful celebration without diminishing the benefits of those participating in the festival. Previous research has indicated Kathina’s procedures according to the condensed dictum of Ledi Sayardaw. There has been substantial research undertaken on the role of Kathina from a historical and psychological perspective. However, Kathina needs to be understood from other points of view. Previous studies of Kathina have not dealt with sociological or ethical standpoints. Most studies in the field of Kathina have only focused on questions and answers about Kathina and decisions in the literary concept of Kathina. The contribution of Kathina has received little attention within sociological and ethical problems on the subject of Kathina. The present study aims to explore the contemporary Kathina ceremony critically celebrated in Myanmar from a socio-ethical perspective. This study uses a qualitative case study approach to identify the socio-ethical problems of current Kathina festivals in Myanmar. Questionnaire assessments of Kathina were collected from 12 participants using the interview method. Responses have been managed using narrative analysis and thematic analysis. Analysis of the Kathina ceremony in Myanmar revealed many socio-ethical problems related to donating the Kathina robe. The experimental data suggested that only if people and monks follow their own morals, the Kathina festival can be successfully held, and they can get the benefits they should get from the Kathina ceremony. The present results highlight the imperfections of Kathina’s procedures and processes due to socio-ethical issues Kathina. The results of this study support the view that it is difficult to successfully hold a Kathina ceremony because of the multitude of problems. However, it can be solved by knowing the problems related to it well. These findings can contribute to a better understanding of the rules and troubles concerning Kathina from another point of view. This research provides a timely and necessary study of addressing the social and ethical issues related to Kathina and how to make Kathina profitable and successful. The results of research represent a further step towards removing Kathina (Kathinuddhāra).

KEYWORDS: critique, contemporary, Kathina, ceremony, Myanmar, socio-ethical perceptive and problem