Kathina is a Pali word referring to the wooden frame used to measure the length and width by which the robes of Buddhist monks are cut.[5] As the legend goes, thirty bhikkhus were journeying with the intention of spending Vassa with Gautama Buddha.[1] However, the rains began before they reached their destination and they had to stop at Saketa.[1][6] According to Buddha's guidelines for Vassa, mendicant monks shouldn't travel during the rainy season as they may unintentionally harm crops and/or insects during their journey.[7] As such, the monks had to stop.[1][6]
The bhikkhus passed their time together without conflict and practicing Dhamma so afterwards, the Buddha rewarded the monks by demonstrating a way to practice sharing and generosity. A lay disciple had previously donated pieces of cloth to the Buddha, so the Buddha now gave the pieces to the group of monks and told them to make it into a robe and then offer it as a gift to one of them. A frame, called a Kathina, was used to hold the pieces while they were being made into one robe.[1][6]