Obon
Obon is a Buddhist memorial ceremony for ancestors. It is held from July 13-15 on the lunar calendar, or August 13-15 on the Gregorian calendar.
Obon is a Buddhist memorial ceremony for ancestors. It is held from July 13-15 on the lunar calendar, or August 13-15 on the Gregorian calendar. During Obon, people visit the graves of their ancestors to make offerings.
The word, obon, is an abbreviation from the Buddhist word, urabon, and while its origin is still debated, one theory is that obon came from the Sanskrit word ullambana, meaning ‘to hang upside-down with unbearable pain and suffering’. The story of Obon tells how Mokuren, an apprentice of Buddha, used his supernatural powers and saw his deceased mother hanging upside-down, suffering in a place known as gakido (the realm of hungry ghosts). Devastated, Mokuren sought advice from Buddha. Buddha advised him to gather many monks and to offer a ceremony and feast to the spirit of his mother. Mokuren followed Buddha’s advice and successfully freed his mother from her torment. People adopted the story of Mokuren and began making offerings to ease the suffering of their ancestors who were at the mercy of hungry ghosts.
The essence of Obon is ancestor worship. Interestingly, prior to the introduction of Buddhism, there is evidence people were already holding an event called Tama Matsuri (literally meaning ‘festival of spirits’) on New Year’s Day and again in July. Once Buddhism was introduced, the Tama Matsuri (in July) was syncretized with ullambana and came to be called Obon.
Honbutsu (ancestor spirits), Arabotoke (spirits on the first Obon after their death), and Muenbotoke (spirits without living relatives) are invited during Obon. Various offerings, such as fruits and vegetables, are placed on a shoryodana (altar) for these ancestors. During the Obon period, the Bon-odori (Bon Dance) is held to mourn ancestors, and it has been passed down in regions across Japan as a traditional folk performing art.