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    Annual Katina Ceremony – By Donald Gunatillake Source:Radio 4eb Sri Lankan Group In Buddhist Calendar, the month beginning on the full moon day in October (called Vap) and ending on the full moon day in November (Called Il) is referred as the ”Cheevara Maasa” as this period is specially allocated for offering new robes to the Buddhist monks at the conclusion Vassana period. The Final Day ceremony is called Katina Ceremony. The tradition of Rain Retreat was started by the Buddha Himself in the year 588 BCE where the Lord Buddha and 60 Bikkhus resided in the vicinity of Saranath. It is said that during these three months the venerable monks learned and practised Dhamma intensely under the direct guidance of the Buddha and all the 60 monks had attained the highest spiritual achievement: i.e. Arahantship. The Buddha seeing that the period of intense spiritual practice has greatly ...