Obon Obon
It's Festival Day
Obon originally started in the spirit of profound religious feeling of love, respect, and gratitude toward the Buddha and to the departed loved ones who have either directly or indirectly bestowed their guidance upon our growth as an individual. It is a time of appreciation for all they have done and have meant to us. Thus Obon is essentially a memorial service honoring the memory of the deceased; however, that is as far as it goes in coinciding with other memorial services.
Instead of being a solemn occasion, a festive mood pervades the entire gathering. Although the sense of loss of our loved ones is strong in our hearts, our faith in Amida Buddha's Wisdom and Compassion is even greater, and the prevailing theme is the joy in the salvation from suffering, offered by having faith in Amida Buddha
ORIGIN OF OBON DANCING (BON ODORI) Obon dancing is based upon a story, well-known to Buddhists, of Moggallana, one of the Buddha's chief disciples, who along with other disciples and followers, began to dance with joy when he realized that due to the Buddha's advice and compassion, his mother had been freed from the pains and sufferings of hell. This, combined with the traditional Japanese village dancing, has resulted in the current-day Obon dancing in Japan, and thus transplanted here in the United States, undergoing further transformation, to what it is today.
Follow this link to hear the messages for the 2023 Obon and Hatsubon services.