Thailand Launches 90-Day Buddhist Lent Merit Campaign

The Culture Ministry's Department of Religious Affairs organized ceremonies on July 27, 2025, at the ministry's culture building to launch the "90-Day Buddhist Lent: Understanding Dharma, Doing Good, Transforming Lives" campaign for the Buddhist festival of Asalha Bucha and the beginning of Buddhist Lent. The event was presided over by the Supreme Patriarch of the Northern Region and Petcharat Saithong, the Culture Ministry's inspector-general, alongside religious officials, government personnel, and media representatives.

Petcharat stated that the ministry prioritizes promoting Buddhism and applying Buddhist teachings to daily life. The campaign encourages Buddhists nationwide to study Buddhist principles, perform religious duties, maintain the Five Precepts, abstain from alcohol, tobacco, gambling, and other harmful behaviors, and build moral and ethical character during the 90-day Lent period. The central activities include Buddhist chanting ceremonies, a "Tree of Goodness" where participants write their resolutions on Bodhi leaf-shaped cards, candle casting rituals, and a procession delivering Lenten candles to 10 major temples in Bangkok.

Regional activities, coordinated by provincial culture offices in cooperation with monasteries, schools, local governments, and community organizations, will run from July 24-30, featuring similar ceremonies and merit-making activities. The campaign emphasizes continuous positive change through personal development, extending to family, community, and society by maintaining the Five Precepts, practicing meditation, volunteering, planting trees, caring for the elderly and disadvantaged, and promoting daily acts of kindness. A "One Person, One Good Deed" initiative encourages citizens to perform at least one good deed daily.