PHNOM PENH, May 23, 2024 — Prime Minister Hun Manet and First Lady Dr. Pich Chanmony joined thousands of Buddhist followers this morning to celebrate the annual Visak Bochea Day at Phnom Preah Reach Troap (Oudong), located in Ponhea Leu district, Kandal province.

The event was graced by the presence of Bour Kry, the Great Supreme Patriarch of the Dhammayuttikaya of Cambodia, and Am Limheng, Acting President of the Sangha Council of the Mohanikaya Sect and President of the Sangha Judicial Council of the Kingdom of Cambodia. The ceremony took place near the stupa that houses Buddha’s relics, adding a profound sense of reverence to the occasion.

During the celebration, Buddhist monks were honored with offerings of food, drinks, and cash, a gesture to invoke blessings for the souls of the deceased to rest in peace.

Visak Bochea Day commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and nirvana of Master Buddha. Recognized internationally by the United Nations in 2000, it is a public holiday in Buddhist countries, including Cambodia. The day provides an opportunity for followers to reconnect with the teachings of Buddha and reflect on his life's spiritual milestones.