The Buddhist ceremony on the occasion of Asalha Bucha Day, and Buddhist Lent 2024 at Wat Dhammaprateep, Muizen, Belgium
On 21 July 2024, Ms. Warunee Pan-Krajang, Minister, Royal Thai Embassy in Brussels, on behalf of the Ambassador to Belgium, attended the Buddhist ceremony on the occasion of Asalha Bucha Day and Buddhist Lent 2024 (B.E.2567) at Wat Dhammaprateep, Muizen, Belgium together with Ms. Siribhusaya Ungphakorn, Minister for Commerce, Mr. Somkiat Kamolpun, Minister Counsellor for Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation, and Team Thailand officials in Brussels. The event was well-attended by Thai and foreign nationals who offered alms and candles to the monks for the Lent period. Phra khruvidessutamedhi, the Abbot of Wat Dhammaprateep, led the chanting, preached and gave blessings to all participants.
Asalha Bucha Day is a Buddhist day that commemorates the Buddha’s first sermon, which founded the Buddhist teaching known as the four noble truths: dukkha (suffering), samudaya (origin of suffering), nirodha (cession of suffering), and magga (the process to cease suffering through “The Noble Eightfold Path”).
Buddhist Lent Day is one of the most important religious days in Buddhist tradition. This year it falls on 21 July 2024. Monks will not travel to stay overnight elsewhere but will only stay overnight in their temples for three-month period during rainy season to study the Buddha’s teachings from senior monks. Many Buddhists also use the occasion to more intensely observe the religious precepts and make merits.
The offerings of candles during the Lent represent the light of wisdom from the Buddha's teaching.