Phnom penh: Samdech Maha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary, President of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia, on Thursday morning offered Buddhist Lent (Vossa) candles and other offerings to monks at Wat Vimean Techeah, known as Wat Srah Chork, in Phnom Penh.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the Vossa candle-offering ceremony was attended by members of parliament, officials from the Secretariat-General, and other Buddhist devotees, and presided over by His Holiness Preah Udom Charya Binditt Chhoeng Bunchhea, Vice-President of the Cambodian Buddhist Monk Council and Chief Abbot of Wat Srah Chork.

Buddhist Lent, or Vossa, is a traditional three-month retreat observed by monks and nuns during the rainy season. Cambodian people always bring candles, incense, food, and drinks to offer to monks practicing the virtues in the monastery during this period.

On this occasion, Samdech Khuon Sudary dedicated the merit gained from these virtuous deeds to the spirits of her ancestors, and especially to the heroes and patriots who sacrificed their lives to safeguard the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.