a special Buddhist event held in Thailand
You work at the front desk of a ***** hotel in Siem Reap. A guest approaches you and asks you what the Kathin Festival is. You give him a brief summary
The Kathin Festival is a special Buddhist event held in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and other Southeast Asian countries. It takes place at the end of the rainy season, usually in October or November, and is a time for people to show respect and support for monks. During the festival, communities come together to donate new robes, food, and other necessities to monks living in local temples.
The word „Kathin“ refers to the wooden frame used in ancient times to sew monks’ robes. The festival traditionally lasts for a month, and each temple can hold its own Kathin ceremony only once within that period. This is a joyful time when people visit temples, make offerings, and participate in ceremonies led by the monks. Offering robes and supplies is seen as a way to gain good karma, or spiritual merit, which Buddhists believe brings blessings in this life and future ones.
For villagers, the Kathin Festival is a chance to come together as a community, celebrate their faith, and show generosity. It’s a significant and meaningful event, highlighting the strong connection between Buddhist monks and the people.
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Find the words defined in the text:
1. __________People who live in a religious community, usually in a temple, and dedicate their lives to prayer, learning, and spiritual practices.
2. __________People who live in a small town or rural area, usually in the countryside.
3. __________Very happy and full of joy or excitement.
4. __________To help or give assistance to someone or something.
5. __________A special event or celebration that often includes gatherings, ceremonies, and activities.
6. __________A period or season when there is a lot of rain or wet weather.
7. __________To give something, like money or goods, to help others or support a cause.
8. __________Gifts or items given, often as part of a religious or spiritual practice, to show respect or devotion.
9. __________The idea in some religions that good actions bring good results in the future, while bad actions bring bad results.
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Can you answer these questions on the text?
1. What is the Kathin Festival?
2. In which countries is the Kathin Festival celebrated?
3. When does the Kathin Festival usually take place?
4. What do people donate to monks during the Kathin Festival?
5. Why do people give offerings to monks during this festival?
6. What does the word „Kathin“ refer to?
7. How often can each temple hold a Kathin ceremony during the festival period?
8. What kind of feeling does the festival bring to people in the community?
9. What do Buddhists believe they gain by giving to monks?
10. Why is the Kathin Festival important for villagers?
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Correct, or incorrect?
1. The Kathin Festival is celebrated mostly in Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia.
2. The Kathin Festival happens at the beginning of the rainy season.
3. During the Kathin Festival, people donate robes and food to monks.
4. The word „Kathin“ means „rainy“ in the local language.
5. Each temple can hold a Kathin ceremony as many times as they like during the festival.
6. The Kathin Festival is a joyful time for communities to come together.
7. The purpose of the festival is to help the monks gain spiritual energy from the people.
8. Villagers believe donating to monks brings them good karma or blessings.
9. The festival traditionally lasts for one month.
10. People make offerings to monks to show respect and gain good karma.
11. The Kathin Festival is a time when monks go out into villages to collect food.
12. The festival includes giving new robes, which monks need after the rainy season.
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Here are 12 multiple-choice questions, each with 4 answer options, where more than one option may be correct:
1. **Where is the Kathin Festival mainly celebrated?**
– A) Thailand
– B) Japan
– C) Laos
– D) Cambodia
2. **When does the Kathin Festival usually take place?**
– A) During the rainy season
– B) At the end of the rainy season
– C) At the beginning of the year
– D) In the summer
3. **What items are typically donated to monks during the Kathin Festival?**
– A) New robes
– B) Food
– C) Money
– D) Jewelry
4. **Why do people give offerings to monks during the festival?**
– A) To gain good karma
– B) To celebrate a birthday
– C) To show respect
– D) To make friends
5. **What does the word „Kathin“ originally refer to?**
– A) A type of food
– B) A wooden frame used to sew robes
– C) A prayer book
– D) A monk’s ceremony
6. **How often can each temple hold a Kathin ceremony during the festival?**
– A) Only once
– B) Every week
– C) Multiple times during the month
– D) Twice
7. **Which of the following are reasons villagers participate in the Kathin Festival?**
– A) To earn good karma
– B) To win prizes
– C) To celebrate as a community
– D) To support the monks
8. **Which statement is true about the duration of the Kathin Festival?**
– A) It lasts one day
– B) It traditionally lasts a month
– C) It lasts for six months
– D) It lasts one week
9. **What types of offerings are typically given to monks?**
– A) Toys
– B) Robes
– C) Food
– D) Vehicles
10. **What belief motivates people to give offerings to monks during the Kathin Festival?**
– A) It brings them good karma
– B) It cures illnesses
– C) It helps them get blessings
– D) It allows them to become monks
11. **What is one purpose of the Kathin Festival?**
– A) To give monks needed supplies
– B) To help monks collect food from the village
– C) To bring communities together
– D) To celebrate the start of the rainy season
12. **What is the general mood of the Kathin Festival?**
– A) Joyful
– B) Solemn
– C) Quiet
– D) Celebratory
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Which words are we looking for – but first find the words in the text:
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