On 6 July 2025, H.E. Mrs. Kanchana Patachoke, Ambassador of Thailand to Belgium, and spouse along with Embassy and Team Thailand officials attended the Buddhist ceremony on the occasion of the Buddhist Lent Day at Wat Thai Dhammaram, Waterloo, Belgium. Around 70 Thais who live in Belgium, the Netherland, and Luxembourg attended the event and offered alms, candles and new bathing robes to the monks during the Buddhist Lent period. The ceremony was presided by Phra Raja Visuddhivides, the Abbot of the Temple, together with 4 other Thai monks from across Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, led the chanting and giving blessings to the participants. In the afternoon, all participants lined up for the candle procession.

          Buddhist Lent Day is one of the most important religious days in Buddhism. This year it falls on 11 July 2025, which marks the beginning of the Buddhist Rains Retreat. The Buddhist Rains Retreat is observed for three months for Buddhist Monks to stay overnight in their temples and not travelling elsewhere and seclude themselves to study and practice the Buddha’s teachings more intensely. It is also an opportune time for Buddhists around the world to make merits and better themselves through dharma practice.

Blessings to all!