Obon is an annual Buddhist event for commemorating one’s ancestors. It is believed that each year during obon, the ancestors’ spirits return to this world in order to visit their relatives.
–“Obon” by Japan Guide
What happens at Obon?
The Obon tradition includes hanging lanterns, obon dance (bon odori) performances, visiting ancestors’ graves and food offerings at house altars and temples.
When is Obon?
Obon is observed typically from the 13th to the 15th day of August.
What’s the story behind Obon?
The Obon Festival originates from the story of Mokuren , one of Buddha’s disciples who used his supernatural powers to check on his deceased mother. Mokuren discovered she had fallen into the realm of the hungry ghosts, a spiritual place often described as a parallel world of suffering endless hunger. Japan’s hungry ghosts come in two forms: Gaki (餓鬼), who were greedy in their lives and in the afterlife suffer insatiable hunger for one particular object, no matter how strange; and Jikininki (食人鬼), who were selfish among the living and now only have an appetite for the dead, looting graveyards at night searching for human flesh.
Buddha suggested Mokuren pray to a group of monks, who were returning from a summer pilgrimage on the auspicious 15th day of the 7th lunar month. Mokuren’s prayers were answered, and his mother was released from the realm of the hungry ghosts. Upon her release, Mokuren remembered his mother’s acts of kindness and danced for joy. That very dance has turned into the Bon dance, one of the most lasting cultural symbols of this festival.
Why do they hang lanterns?
Lanterns and candles are hung in front of houses to guide ancestors’ spirits home. At the end of Obon, people put floating lantern in the river to guide the spirits back to their world.
To honor Obon, La Peña presents you:
Obon Dancing Experience: Japanese Day of the Dead
On August 15, Drum Revolution, Sakura Ren Minyo Unit, Shoko Hikage, Sakura Ren Awa Odori will perform at La Peña.
Employing Japanese percussive, string, and brass instruments as well as singing and dancing, the three distinctive Bay Area groups will reproduce a modern version Japan’s night of Obon.
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