The Center for Cultural and Sports Promotion, Walailak University, organized the annual Candle Casting Ceremony 2025 to uphold faith and preserve Thai traditions.

On 26 June 2025, the Center for Cultural and Sports Promotion, through its Division of Arts and Culture Promotion, held the Candle Casting Ceremony 2025 at the Dharmma Courtyard of Walailak University. The ceremony aimed to encourage students, staff, and Buddhist devotees to preserve Buddhism and maintain this long-standing tradition. The candles cast during the ceremony will be offered to five temples surrounding Walailak University.

The ceremony was graciously presided over by Phra Khru Chai Thara Raks (Montri Mantachato), Abbot of Wat Chai Tharam Pradit and Ecclesiastical Head of Moklan Subdistrict, as the chief monk, and honored by the presence of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Urai Jareeprapal, Vice President of Walailak University, as the chairperson. Also attending were Asst. Prof. Dr. Phadungsak Suksaard, Vice President; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Worawut Somsak, Dean of the School of Allied Health Sciences; Asst. Prof. Dr. Arthit Boonrodchu, Assistant to the President; Asst. Prof. Dr. Marisa Phumiphak Na Nongkhai, Director of the Center for Cultural and Sports Promotion, together with administrators, faculty members, staff, and students. The ceremony included Buddhist chanting, the candle casting ritual, and a Dhamma sermon delivered by Phra Ajahn Manas Techavano, Abbot of Wat Pradu Nantararam.

The tradition of casting candles originates from Buddhist Lent (Khao Phansa), a three-month period during the rainy season when monks are required to remain at a temple without traveling overnight elsewhere (from the waning moon of the 1st day of the 8th lunar month until the full moon of the 11th lunar month), as prescribed by the monastic discipline. In the past, when electricity was not available, candles were essential throughout this period. Devotees therefore gathered to cast candles for monks, which came to be known as “Phansa Candles” or “Buddhist Lent Candles.” This tradition has long been regarded as a highly meritorious act and continues to be faithfully observed by Buddhists up to the present day.