Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) organized activities to preserve and promote Buddhism, arts, and culture in celebration of Asanha Bucha Day and Buddhist Lent in 2025. These significant Buddhist holidays fall on 10 and 11 July, respectively. The university’s Arts and Culture Division (Educational Park) of the Office of Continuing Education held the events on 9 July 2025 at Parichart Pavilion and Ho Phra Phut Ming Mongkhon Dhammasathan within the university’s Rajamangalaphisek Education Park.
The ceremonies were presided over by Assistant Professor Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda, Member of the University Council and Acting President of STOU. A large number of executives, faculty members, staff from various university departments, as well as students and the general public, participated in the events.
Key activities included a dry food alms offering to nine Buddhist monks to bring auspiciousness, followed by sacred Buddhist ceremonies. The traditional offering of Lenten candles and rain-bathing robes was also observed, a significant custom during the Buddhist Lent period. A unique and creative aspect of the celebration was the “tree sapling circumambulation” (Wian Tian) around Ho Phra Phut Ming Mongkhon Dhammasathan, where participants offered tree saplings in homage to the Buddha, promoting environmental conservation alongside spiritual merit-making.
In addition to the activities at the main campus, STOU’s Regional Academic Resources and Community Engagement Centers across the country also organized events. In Yala, Dr. Saowanit Taweesuntaneenukul, Director of STOU Yala, led staff, alumni, students, and STOU networks in offering Lenten candles at Wat Tha Sap in Mueang District of Yala. Similarly, in Phetchaburi, Ms. Samanan Ngernurd, Director of STOU Phetchaburi, led her team to offer Lenten candles at Wat Khao Bandai It in Mueang District of Phetchaburi.
These events underscore STOU’s unwavering commitment to continuously promoting and preserving Buddhism, arts, and culture, and fostering community engagement. On this occasion, STOU has also installed “Phra Bhaisajyaguru Vaidurya,” an ancient Khmer art Buddha statue. This statue commemorates Bhaisajyaguru Vaidurya Prabha Tathagata, the Medicine Buddha of Mahayana Buddhism, who is revered for healing both physical and mental ailments and is considered a protector and healer of humanity from suffering.
The veneration of Bhaisajyaguru has a long history in Thailand, particularly during the reign of King Jayavarman VII of the Khmer Empire (which included parts of present-day Thailand). During this period, “Arokayasala” (hospitals) were established, and Bhaisajyaguru Buddha statues were created to be enshrined in these facilities. Bhaisajyaguru Buddha statues found in Thailand often exhibit the Lopburi art style (Khmer art in Thailand). This particular statue was generously donated to STOU by Phra Kru Wimolchayaporn, the abbot of Wat Bang Krang in Nonthaburi, on 25 June. Other recipients of similar statues include the Ministry of Public Health, Priest Hospital, Thammasat University Hospital, Siriraj Hospital, Ramkhamhaeng University, and Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University. These statues serve as objects of veneration for Buddhists, as well as medical, public health, and nursing personnel, providing spiritual support and relief from the suffering caused by physical and mental illnesses.
