WHAT IS A BUDDHIST KATA | KHADA?
May 08, 2021
It is a greeting scarf that is given to family, friends or guests which show gratitude and wishes of happiness and prosperity. You will find this traditional scarf being offered in a number of ways, but it can be broken down to these two categories:
Gratitude: When being welcomed into a home, leaving for a journey etc. you can find many Buddhist giving a kata to others or even placing them over statues, thangkas, and altar spaces as a form of respect.
You will find Dalai Lama giving a kata to many people, but with any high lamas and teachers, a kata that is given to them will be given back to the giver as an additional blessing. These are cherished and can sometimes be added to outdoor prayer flags for additional prayers and wishes.
Celebration: Katas are also very common in Buddhist culture when celebrating an event. This can include weddings, birthdays, farewell, funerals and many more. Providing a kata for each guest during a celebratory event is quite auspicious, and this tradition has been passed down for many generations.
The katas comes in a variety of sizes and five different colors. Each of the colors represent one of the Five Buddha Families. They are typically adorned with auspicious symbols and mantras and can be made from the finest silks or man made fabrics.