Kathina: the one-month period when the Buddhist laity offer robes to the bhikkhus who have spent the rainy season (the vassa) together in a monastery. It is an important festival in Theravada Buddhist countries such as Thailand, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. Many lay people go to a temple a few times a week during the Kathina season (October or November) to participate in the activities or to listen to the Dhamma. Often, speeches on Buddhism are given in the temple the evening before the Kathina. The rugs that can be offered to the monks can be bought in the temple itself and the purchase serves as a donation to the temple.