Rural Development Minister Offers Offerings to 27 Monasteries and Hermitages for Buddhist Lent

His Excellency Chhay Rithisen, Minister of Rural Development and First Deputy Chief of the Royal Government Working Group for Kampong Chhnang Province, along with his wife, on the morning of Thursday, July 23, 2026, led a delegation to offer candles for Buddhist Lent and other alms to 27 monasteries and hermitages located in Teppos District, Kampong Chhnang Province. The ceremony took place at Wat Mongkolkand (also known as Wat Tuol Por), located in Tuol Khpos village, Tuol Khpos commune, Teppos District. It was attended by monks, abbots, temple committee members from the 27 monasteries and hermitages in Teppos District, as well as Excellencies, ladies, ministry leaders, provincial leaders, district administration officials, and members of the Royal Government Working Group for Teppos and Samaki Mean Chey districts, along with local authorities and a large number of Buddhist followers. During the occasion, His Excellency the Minister and his wife, along with the delegation, offered incense, candles, flowers, and perfumes to invoke blessings from sacred objects and the Triple Gem. Following this, His Excellency the Minister, the delegation, and the Buddhist followers paid homage to the Triple Gem, took the Five Precepts, reflected on the virtues of the Triple Gem, and then offered the alms to the monks of the 27 monasteries and hermitages. This offering of candles for Lent and alms is conducted in accordance with Buddhist traditions during the occasion of Vassa, the Buddhist Lent period, when Buddhist followers typically bring alms to support monks residing in monasteries for three months. The Vassa period lasts for three months, from the first day of the waning moon in the month of Asadha (around July) to the full moon day in the month of Ashuin (around October). During this time, monks are generally not permitted to travel far away, crossing over night, except for essential duties such as caring for critically ill parents or delivering sermons, with the commitment to return within seven days. The alms offered to the 27 monasteries and hermitages included: 1. Three cases of mineral water, 2. One case of Coca-Cola, 3. One case of soy milk, 4. One case of mixed fruit juice, 5. Two large packs of coffee, 6. One case of condensed milk, 7. Two lots of canned oil sardines, 8. One bottle of cooking oil (5 liters), 9. One case of instant noodles, 10. One bundle of fish sauce, 11. One bundle of soy sauce, 12. One set of Vassa candles and stands, 13. Two bags of "Flower Ginger" rice (25 kg), and 14. One box of Sadok (robe). Cash was also provided. Each elderly person, lay follower, and Buddhist participant present at the ceremony received 20,000 Riel (approximately $5 USD). Source: AKP Khmer