Albury, NSW —At the gateway between New South Wales and Victoria, a Buddhist community gathered with devotion, gratitude and shared purpose to mark the beginning of Buddhist Lent at Wat Phra Dhammakaya Albury.
For many Buddhists, the teachings of the Buddha are not only a religion but also a practical path for reducing suffering and cultivating inner peace. This understanding continues to guide lay Buddhists who take refuge in the Triple Gem — the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha — especially during difficult moments in life.

Just as people came to seek guidance from the Lord Buddha during his lifetime, Buddhists today continue to look to the Dhamma for wisdom and direction. After the Buddha’s Parinirvana, he encouraged the Sangha and his followers to rely on the Dhamma, the teachings he had given, as their true guide.
Since many Buddhists came to Australia, they have carried their faith, traditions and spiritual practices with them. Across the country, Buddhist centres have been established as places where communities can gather, practise meditation, make merit and receive guidance from monks who bring the Dhamma to life through their conduct and teaching.

In Albury, that living connection has taken root through Wat Phra Dhammakaya Albury, established in 2015 on East Street in East Albury. The temple has become a spiritual home for Buddhists in the region, offering a place of peace, reflection and support.
The relationship between monks and lay Buddhists is one of mutual care. Lay supporters provide the basic needs of the monastic community, while monks offer teachings, guidance and encouragement in return. This relationship reflects the Buddha’s words that monks and householders depend on one another in the practice of the holy life for the ending of suffering.

A Ceremony of Devotion and Community
During the ceremony marking the beginning of Buddhist Lent, lay Buddhists from different nationalities gathered to express their support for the monastic community. The offering of bathing cloths and the Vassa candle carried both symbolic and practical meaning.
In earlier times, before electricity was available, monks relied on candles for light during the three-month rains retreat, including for early morning chanting and study. Today, electric lights have replaced that need, but the candle offering remains a powerful tradition — a way of preserving Buddhist culture and passing it on to future generations.
The act of lighting a candle also points to a deeper spiritual meaning. In his Dhamma talk, Ven. Phra Satit reminded the community that lighting a candle in homage to the Buddha helps bring the mind closer to the Buddha’s virtues. It is a reminder to understand the Dhamma clearly and apply it in daily life.

A Temple That Feels Like Home
The number of people who gathered for the ceremony reflected the strength of support for Wat Phra Dhammakaya Albury. Their donations help ensure that the temple can continue to operate and that the monks can focus on their spiritual duties without the burden of financial concern.
Since its establishment in 2015, Wat Phra Dhammakaya Albury has shown a strong commitment to making Buddhist practice and guidance accessible in this regional city. For many community members, the temple offers more than religious services. It provides warmth, belonging and reassurance — a place where people know they are supported when they need it most.
As Buddhist Lent begins, members of the community expressed their wish to focus more deeply on Dhamma practice, cultivate happiness within themselves and become good examples for others. Their hope is to help build a better society by beginning with the development of a good-quality mind.
In Albury, the flame of the Vassa candle is more than a symbol of tradition. It is a reminder that faith, wisdom and community can continue to shine brightly, even far from the lands where these customs first began.