Zenshuji Soto Mission is one of the oldest and respected churchmore, Went there for the 2013 obon festival. About Initiatives Take Action. The festivities include Obon Iri where people set up lanterns. This holiday is all about celebrating life and the joy that comes with it so join the happy cel. Another ritual is the ceremonial service for the deceased known as Obon Ake or Okuribon and finally, Okuribi which is the send-off ritual where people float lanterns or release them towards the sky. appId : '179692745920433', Get into the tradition at Obon. Honoring exemplary individuals and organizations. . Japanese farmer near an irrigation channel in an undated photo. This website uses cookies to provide our visitors with a great user experience. }; var fbl_interval = window.setInterval(function(){ The elation of seeing his mother free, as well as understanding her selflessness and compassion in caring for him as a child, compelled Mokuren to dance for joy. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Save. But how did the festival get here? Chochin (paper) lanterns are hung to . window.fbl_started = false; But the Chinese Ghost Festival is calculated according to the lunar calendar, on the 15th of the 7th lunar month (falling from early August to early September). The midsummer celebration you need to check outby Alexander Quebec. The Festivals feature delicious Japanese. fbl_init() Come join the downtown Los Angeles community at the Nisei Week Japanese Festival in historic Little Tokyo. },100); The tradition of having a family altar becomes commonplace in Japanese homes. The Most Popular Japanese Festivals can be found here . Copyright 20042022 Yelp Inc. Yelp, , and related marks are registered trademarks of Yelp. Must be an Everfest PRO member to view contact info. The word Obon is derived from the Sanskrit term Ullambana which means to hang upside down.. Established in 1903, the Rafu Shimpo has survived two world wars . As they eventually burn out, they are viewed as a send-off of these loved spirits. autoLogAppEvents : true, }); Thanks, Gardena Buddhist church!". They startmore, One of my resolutions for 2010 was to do something spiritual once a month. This was filmed at the West Los Angeles Obon Festival on Sunday, July 25, 2010. The Festivals feature delicious Japanese food-sushi, tempura,, Celebrate the Thrilling Sights, Sounds and Tastes of the Japanese Experience at Summer Obon Festivities cookie : true, Travel Guides. A Buddhist monk named Mogallana, who could see into the afterlife, prevented his dead mother from going to hell by making offerings to other monks. As soon as he completed his task, which happened to occur on the 15th day of the 7th month, he was able to free his mothers soul from the realm based on the merits of his deeds. Where to go? The dates for Obon might vary from place to placemid-July in the eastern parts of Japan and mid-August in the southern regions. We bought a plant for our mom at this year's Fuji Matsuri too. It is believed that these lanterns guide the spirits to the other realm. window.FB.Event.subscribe('xfbml.render', function() { Save. There are also festivals for dance lovers, and temple and altar visits. window.FB.init({ We keep track of fun holidays and special moments on the cultural calendar giving you exciting activities, deals, local events, brand promotions, and other exciting ways to celebrate. Being a college student, I felt like I was ignoring my spirituality and wanted tomore, I attended a funeral service for my patient. Obon Festival Guide: Meaning, traditions and 2022 dates. The Yamato Shimbun newspaper in Hawaii makes a reference to Bon Odori for the first time. fbl_init(); Our Work. } ); Obon is a 500-year-old Buddhist custom observed to honor ones ancestors. The Bon Odori was danced first by Mokuren, a disciple of Buddha, who peered into the underworld and saw his deceased mother suffering in the realm of Hungry Ghosts.Troubled by seeing his own mother suffering, he sought the help of the Buddha . toyourinbox. It can also be held from July 13 to 15, depending on the calendar used. Made with Squarespace. Discover what to do in LA today. Follow. Find Events | Sports. This acts as a beacon for the spirits, sending them off back to the spirit realm. It is sometimes referred to as the festival of souls. Obon is similar to Mexicos Day of the Dead and Chinas Hungry Ghost Festival. Obon Obon [ ] is an opportunity for us to reflect upon the innumerable causes and conditions that continue to influence our lives and the benefits we have received from the countless lives of others. We invite you to join us and hope to see you at the Temple! The outside really didn't look like much but was really impressed when I went into the ceremony area. The Obon Festival also provides an opportunity for festival-goers to learn more about Jodo Shinshu Buddhism through exhibits and displays, experience Japanese culture through a wide variety of ethnic food and performances, and to have some fun playing a number of carnival games. So, now that you know a bit more about Obon, check out our slideshow of some popular foods you might see at your local Obon festival. The Obon festival (also called Bon festival in some instances) is a Buddhist festival that has been celebrated in Japan for over 500 years. It is believed that their spirits return at this time to visit their relatives. Theres a legend associated with the history of Obon. West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple 14 Buddhist Temples Sawtelle Closed until 11:30 AM "Came here last night for the annual Obon festival what they do is block the side street next" more 3. It may seem a bit intimidating to begin coming, since the congregation is verymore. The Yagura stage, the center of the dance and festivities of the Bon festival. version : 'v6.0' Although its a festival cherishing death, Obon is more fun than creepy. . People engage in fun activities, folk dance, and music events. Must have eats: Okinawa DANGO!