NONTHABURI, 24 July 2026 — Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) organized a cultural preservation and Buddhist merit-making event for Asalha Puja and Buddhist Lent Day 2026. Held under the concept “Saplings of Dhamma: Guiding the Way to a Sustainable Green Path,” the initiative seamlessly blended Buddhist traditions and cultural heritage with environmental conservation.
The event took place at Parichat Court within the university campus, presided over by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Taweewat Watthanakuljaroen, President of STOU. Key highlights of the event included:
- Traditional Merit-Making: University staff and the public joined in offering dried food and rice to 9 Buddhist monks, followed by religious ceremonies, the offering of Lent candles, and bathing robes.
- Eco-Friendly Candlelight Procession: Participants engaged in the Wian Thien (circumambulation ceremony) around the university’s shrine building using air-purifying plant saplings instead of traditional incense and flowers. The saplings were then taken home by participants to plant, expanding local green space.
- Cultural Celebration: Attendees wore contemporary and regional Thai traditional attire, adding vibrant cultural identity to the eco-conscious celebration.
