A Buddhist monk prays to celebrate the 'Katha Phan' at a temple in Nakhon Sawan province north of Bangkok, Thailand, on October 24, 2026. The 'Katha Phan' refers to the Vessantara Jataka, which is composed in Pali verses with about 1,000 stanzas, hence the name 'Katha Phan' (Thousand Verses). When all 1,000 stanzas of the Vessantara Jataka are recited continuously in one go, it is called 'Thesn Katha Phan' (Thousand Verse Sermon) before the end of Buddhist Lent day. The Pancakatha is the name given to the Vessantara Jataka, which is composed in Pali verses with about 1,000 stanzas, hence it is called Pancakatha. When all 1,000 stanzas of the Vessantara Jataka are recited continuously in one go, it is called a Pancakatha sermon. Since ancient times, it has been a tradition that when reciting the Pancakatha, one must be careful not to make mistakes or omit anything; otherwise, it is considered a serious sin. When worshiping the section, it is also believed that the offerings should match the number of stanzas. For offerings, it is common to use a five-colored flag, incense, candles, and lotus flowers, each numbering 1,000.
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