Obon Season

Throughout July and August, Obon services and dances are held at Buddhist temples around Hawaii.  I often forget that we are supposed to go, but of course Mom doesn't.

We went last Thursday evening.  It was fun bumping into a cousin I hadn't seen in a very long time.

We were seated in the back pew where my cousin said it was coolest by the open door.  She was right, but I couldn't hear Reverend Ishii very clearly when he gave his sermon.  He told us that Obon is a happy time when people go back home to be together again with their families along with departed ancestors and loved ones who return from the spirit world at this time.  Buddhists also don't eat any creature who was once alive because they are also returning from the spirit world and deserve to be respected.  When he was a child, Reverend Ishii said his mother told him he couldn't go fishing either.

After the days of Obon, there is often a Toro Nagashi where lanterns are set afloat on rivers to send the ancestors and loved ones back to their spirit world.  I've been to a Toro Nagashi at Haleiwa Beach and it was a very moving experience to see hundreds of lanterns with messages for that special loved one floating away on the waves.

Reverend Ishii also said this was an important time to remember and honor those parents, grandparents, great-grandparents who had walked the path ahead of us and tried to make life easier for those that followed.

I felt great that I'd already done that by writing those blog posts about my grandparents.  I do remember them and feel a great sense of gratitude for all they endured and taught us.

What I really loved about Obon when I was growing up was the teriyaki barbecue sticks and shave ice that were sold at the booths during the Bon Dance. I should tell Art that we should go and have some shave ice... just to honor the occasion, of course.