Minister’s Message – July 2025

“To seek the way of the Buddha is to forget the self.
To forget the self is to have things as they prevail in you.
To have things as they prevail in you is to let go of self-centered
Attachments to your own body and mind, as well as the body and mind of others”
~Dogen, philosopher of the 13th Century

Most Buddhist sects observe the special observance for departed loved ones at Obon or Bon (Japanese
word). The time of year differs because some Asian countries still use the lunar calendar. They may differ
in tradition, ritual and culture. These characteristics also define the meaning of this special time. Yet, it is a
time dedicated to the many ancestors who played a large role in their lives.
In some Asian countries, it is a time when the house is cleaned so that the “spirit” of their ancestors will
return home. It is a time of family gatherings and cemetarycemetery visitation. We are not the only country who observes Obon. In China, it is referred to as the Ghost Festival. Korea observes Baekjung and in Vietnam, it is called Tet Trung Nguyen. In Thailand, they observe Sat Thai, Cambodia it is called Pchum
Ben. While in Laos, it is called Doun Khao Padabin and in Sri Lanka, it is called Mataka Dames. Whatever
Buddhist sect or country, it is honoring and paying respects in remembrance to departed loved ones,
recently and long past.

Obon is from the Sanskrit word Ullambana, which means “hanging upside down” or “deliverance from
suffering”. Bon or Obon translated from Japanese means tray, container or family/household. In Jodo
Shinshu, we do not “invite the spirits of the dead to visit the living”. We pay our respects and share our
honor to ALL who have shared compassion and wisdom. We deepen our thoughts of gratitude for the
adventures and experiences they shared with generations past, present and future. Without their foresight, we may not have had Buddha, Dharma or Sangha, our three treasures. We share our Nembutsu/Namu Amida Butsu in thankfulness, gratitude and appreciation for their strong entrusting so that generations can continue to live the three treasures.

According to Wikipedia, it is believed that the very first Obon was observed under the reign of Empress Suiko of Japan (592-628 AD). She was the 33rd monarch and the country’s first and longest-reigning empress. Along with her nephew Prince Shotoku, they brought Buddhism to Japan and eventually Buddhism became the national religion of Japan.

From the Ullambana Sutra, odori or dance originated. Short version of the tale is about a disciple of the
Buddha (Moggallana, Maudgalyayana or Mokuren), who was very gifted with psychic abilities, levitation
and the ability to travel through realms. He used these powers to assist the Buddha and to guide others in understanding the consequences of their actions.

This disciple was a very pious son and when his mother passed from this earthly realm, he descended into
the hell realm to find his mother suffering in the realm of the hungry ghost. It was her selfishness, ego and greed that landed her there. He witnesses the suffering of his mother and many other generations in the hell realm.

Through the Buddha’s guidance, this disciple was able to help release his mother and several generations
out of their realm of suffering. He was so elated that he danced with joy. This is said to be the origin of
odori. We dance to share our respect and honor to our past generations by telling their story of struggles, sorrows and occupation they undertook. Many of our ancestors were farmers, worked in mines, on the railroad and some were fishermen. There are dances that depict the lives they left behind. Modern dances have themes related to our wastefulness and diversity. We dance in sharing our thanks, gratitude and appreciation to those who gave so much to us.

When we dance, we also release the ego. Dancing shows the “foolish side” through our missteps and
mistakes. This is a time when the “true self” is revealed. We can truly “let our hair done, show that ignorant side, hear, listen, and learn about ourselves. We are imperfect beings and now we can laugh at that imperfect and true self.

Obon is a time of honor, respect and self-examination. It is a time of laughter, making new friends and
learning. We put our palms together in Gassho and share our Namu Amida Butsu in gratitude and
appreciation.

Gassho
Rev. Seijo Naomi Nakano