JET Programme Series: Obon or Bon - Japanese Buddhist Custom - Shantal Deokie
2020/8/20
JET Programme Series: Obon or Bon - Japanese Buddhist Custom - Shantal Deokie
Usually in August, the Obon custom/festival is very much anticipated and prepared for in most of Japan. The festival lasts three days and is commemorated with dances, songs and the carrying of a weighty portable shrine. This shrine is called a Mikoshi. This sacred, religious, portable shrine is said to be a temporary home of the deities associated with the shrine.
Obon festival is celebrated by Japanese as a memorial of their loved ones who’ve passed on. In fact, it is believed that during Obon, the departed souls come back to the homes they once resided in and they leave when the festival is over.
Many people go to the cemeteries to clean and beautify the stones of their ancestors, a similar practice done for All Souls Day. Family members reunite at home and reflect on the good times while celebrating the spirit return of their ancestors.
Lanterns are lit and hung as guiding lights for the spirits/souls to find their way back home. Offerings called ozen are also made on altars to the ancestors. The offerings would usually be something that the deceased once loved; even beer or sake.
Being able to experience this festival was really interesting as in my religion, Hinduism, a similar ritual is practiced where the spirits of our ancestors are said to roam the earth during a particular period and special prayers are done for their safe journey to the higher energy.
As creepy or weird as it may sound, it’s actually a well-celebrated, happy time.
However, 2020’s Obon was very quiet as expected because of the pandemic. This year, there was a small number of people and a projected fireworks display. It was however, exhilarating to observe the dedication it took for the members both male and female who bore the weight of the heavy Mikoshi inside the shrine.
Happy Obon!
JET Programme Series: Obon or Bon - Japanese Buddhist Custom (Japanese Embassy Facebook)
JET Programme Series Archives
Obon festival is celebrated by Japanese as a memorial of their loved ones who’ve passed on. In fact, it is believed that during Obon, the departed souls come back to the homes they once resided in and they leave when the festival is over.
Many people go to the cemeteries to clean and beautify the stones of their ancestors, a similar practice done for All Souls Day. Family members reunite at home and reflect on the good times while celebrating the spirit return of their ancestors.
Lanterns are lit and hung as guiding lights for the spirits/souls to find their way back home. Offerings called ozen are also made on altars to the ancestors. The offerings would usually be something that the deceased once loved; even beer or sake.
Being able to experience this festival was really interesting as in my religion, Hinduism, a similar ritual is practiced where the spirits of our ancestors are said to roam the earth during a particular period and special prayers are done for their safe journey to the higher energy.
As creepy or weird as it may sound, it’s actually a well-celebrated, happy time.
However, 2020’s Obon was very quiet as expected because of the pandemic. This year, there was a small number of people and a projected fireworks display. It was however, exhilarating to observe the dedication it took for the members both male and female who bore the weight of the heavy Mikoshi inside the shrine.
Happy Obon!
JET Programme Series: Obon or Bon - Japanese Buddhist Custom (Japanese Embassy Facebook)
JET Programme Series Archives