Temple efforts have already begun in preparation for the upcoming Bon Odori Festival!! Name tags for our CHOCHIN lanterns are already being laid out to honor our family members past. We can envision our colorful Obon setting when the temple is highlighted with the swaying lanterns and twirling name tags. We set it up and breathe it in as our Buddhist practice of deep reflection and appreciation enters our hearts. Generations here today bow to generations past.  We thank them for our opportunity at life that they have left for us to explore and savor.  The Nembutsu allows us to connect, and we thank them all.    

The origins of Obon are traced to the Ullambana Sutra. In this Sutra, Shakamuni Buddha’s most gifted disciple in the area of extraordinary sense perceptions, Mogallana, was searching for his recently deceased mother. He thought surely, she would be in one of the heavenly realms for raising him with such good care. Mogallana searched through the different realm of heaven and hell to find her. He was shocked to locate her in the hell of Hungry Ghosts. With his special powers, he filled bowls of food and sent them to her. The food burst into flames each time she tried to eat. He could not provide food or comfort to his mother, so he asked the Buddha what he could do for her.

The Buddha advised Mogallana to provide food to the Buddha’s followers at the end of their Ango summer period of deep study. Mogallana did this with the help of his friends, and brought platters of food for the disciples of the Buddha. After doing so, Mogallana looked again for his mother, and was happy to find her in one of the pleasant, heavenly realms. Happy that his efforts were able to allow his mother to move to a more pleasant realm, he and his friends jumped up in dance. This is said to be the beginning of the Bon Odori.

The Ango Buddhist period of meditation and study also continue today, as the ministers gather each August for their Fuken study session. They gather each year to continue their study, reflections, and to have time with their fellow ministers to share their experience in providing the Dharma.

The Obon Service at the temple is intended for each of us to reflect upon those we have lost during our lifetime.  The Hatsubon Service is more specific, as we consider the delicate first year of a loss.  It is our tradition to honor the family members we have lost during the time from last year’s Obon Service to this year’s Obon Service.  The families of the deceased are invited to attend this Hatsubon (First Obon) Service.  The Hatsubon names are read and we are able to reflect on all they have meant to us in our lives.  The family members in attendance are invited to Oshoko, offer incense, as a gesture of honor and appreciation.  As we elevate those we have lost, we elevate ourselves in shared dignity, respect, and humility.  As we honor them, we honor our own lives and remind ourselves to persevere and to make the most of our time.     

There is beauty and graceful dignity in providing assistance to those facing their journey through life and death, and then to receive this same assistance when our turn comes.  The temple provides such a treasure for us all.  Our Bon Odori Festival will be held on July18.  Please check the calendar for Odori practice dates. The Obon/Hatsubon Service will be July 19 this year. We will see you at the temple.  Gassho,

Gassho, Rev. Dennis Fujimoto