On July 10, 2024, the Cultural and Sports Promotion Center, through the Division of Arts and Cultural Preservation, organized the annual candle casting ceremony for the year 2024 at the Dharma Plaza of Walailak University. This event was held to allow students, staff, and Buddhist practitioners to uphold Buddhism and preserve this beautiful tradition. The candles cast during the ceremony will be offered to five temples surrounding Walailak University.

The ceremony was graciously led by Phra Kru Chai Thara Rak (Montri Manta Chato), the abbot of Chai Thara Ram Pradit Temple and the ecclesiastical head of Moklan Subdistrict. Associate Professor Dr. Phadungsak Suksawat, Vice President of Walailak University, presided over the ceremony. Other distinguished attendees included Associate Professor Dr. Nukun Suksuwan, Assistant to the President; Dr. Suthasinee Saengkham, Assistant to the President; Associate Professor Dr. Worawut Somsak, Acting Dean of the School of Allied Health Sciences; Associate Professor Dr. Marisa Phumipak Na Nongkhai, Acting Director of the Cultural and Sports Promotion Center, along with university administrators, faculty, staff, and students. The ceremony comprised of a Buddhist chant ceremony, candle casting, and a Dharma talk given by Phra Kru Samuh Kittisak Nakavaro, Acting Abbot of Khlong Din Temple.

The tradition of casting candles for the Buddhist Lent stems from the rainy season retreat, where monks are required to stay at one specific temple for three months (from the waning moon of the 1st day of the 8th lunar month to the full moon of the 11th lunar month), according to the monastic code. In ancient times, before the advent of electricity, there was a need for candles throughout the retreat. Thus, Buddhists joined together to cast candles for the monks, which came to be known as “Khao Phansa candles” or “Phansa candles,” regarded as highly meritorious. The casting and offering of these candles have been a cherished tradition among Buddhists from ancient times to the present.