Cambodia Donates Rainy Season Offerings to Temples, Emphasizing Religion and Social Development Link

In Rorleapir district, Kampong Cham province, Cambodia, on July 18, 2026, His Excellency Dr. Uk Rabun, Minister of Higher Education, Youth and Sport and Head of the Royal Government Working Group for Kampong Cham Province, led a delegation to offer Vassa candles, religious offerings, and cash to eight pagodas in the district to support monks observing the rainy season retreat (Vassa). The ceremony, held at Vihar Luong Pagoda in Rorleapir district, Kampong Cham province, was attended by Her Excellency Keut Chandamony, Member of Parliament for Kampong Cham constituency, along with numerous government officials and Buddhist devotees. During the occasion, His Excellency Dr. Uk Rabun conveyed the greetings and regards of Samdech Boromheatipati Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and his spouse, to the monks and elders throughout Kampong Cham province. He emphasized that without the successful formulation and implementation of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Hun Sen's win-win peace policy, the citizens of the province would not have been able to practice Buddhism and other faiths. He noted that pagodas have historically contributed to the development of Cambodia in nearly all sectors, and the current donation of Vassa candles and essential supplies is a contribution to facilitate and support monks during their three-month Vassa observance. His Excellency further elaborated that observing Vassa is a significant merit-making event in Buddhism, providing a crucial period for monks and novices to diligently study Dharma and Vinaya according to the Buddha's teachings for three months, from the first day of the waxing moon of Asalha to the full moon of Assuj. The offering of Vassa candles, along with provisions and cash, is intended for the monks to use for lighting and studying the scriptures of the Dharma and Vinaya of Lord Buddha, our supreme teacher. In this context, His Excellency clarified that during the three months of the rainy season retreat, monks are generally not permitted to travel far from their pagodas overnight, except for essential duties or when invited to give sermons, with the expectation of returning within seven days. Devout followers of Buddhism customarily celebrate this occasion by donating rice, beverages, and other necessities to the monks, according to their means. His Excellency Dr. Uk Rabun and his working group presented Vassa candles, religious offerings, and cash to the monks observing Vassa at eight pagodas. Each pagoda received 200 kilograms of rice, 5 boxes of instant noodles, 4 bottles of soy sauce, 4 bottles of fish sauce, 4 boxes of mineral water, 4 boxes of soft drinks, a pair of Vassa candles, and a sum of money. By: Bai Sethoun