On the morning of August 3, 2026, H.E. Vong Phanat, chairman of the Preah Sihanouk Provincial Council, and his wife, together with H.E. Mang Sineth, governor of Preah Sihanouk Province, and his wife, led officials and civil servants in a ceremony offering candles and supplies for Vassa, the Buddhist rains retreat. The provincial chief monk, monks from all 43 pagodas and many Buddhist devotees also attended. The ceremony took place at the គិរីនាគវ័ន Vipassana Meditation Centre (វត្តសមាធិ) in Ream Sangkat, Kampong Som Municipality, Preah Sihanouk Province.
The ceremony aimed to support and promote Buddhism, the state religion, and to preserve Khmer traditions at the start of the rains retreat. It also expressed solidarity, respect for and practice of the Dharma, and material and financial support for monks observing the retreat in pagodas across the province.
The report lists the offerings for each of the 43 pagodas as one pair of Vassa candles, 50 kilograms of rice, 30 litres of kerosene, instant noodles, soft drinks, drinking water, various other food and household supplies, and 1,580,000 riels.
The candle-offering ceremony took place in a solemn atmosphere of Buddhist devotion, reflecting the Preah Sihanouk provincial administration’s support for Buddhism and its commitment to preserving national traditions and customs.
Article: Pai Sokhim Photos: Lay Chanda
