O-bon set for this weekend
O-bon set for this weekend
The landmark Puna Hongwanji Mission in Keaau will observe its O-bon festival on Friday and Saturday.
The resident minister, David Fujimoto, will conduct a 6 p.m. service on both nights. The featured guest speaker on Friday will be the Rev. Jeffrey Soga, the rinban, or head minister, of the Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin. In Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, the word for O-bon is kangie-e, said Fujimoto. It means a gathering of complete joy.
“Amida Buddha fulfilled unconditional vows assuring all beings being born into the Land of Bliss. When we realize this, we can realize complete joy in the here and now,” he explained.
“O-bon is a time of reflecting and celebrating our lives as we remember our departed. This significant religious observance has become a multi-cultural social tradition. Families gather to share the joy of dancing with their children and grandchildren and invite visitors and friends to come along,” said Fujimoto.
The “Men of Puna Hongwanji” will start each night of bon dancing. Tsukikage Odorikai will provide the recorded music selection, while The Hilo Bon Dance Club will perform the live music.
This year Puna Hongwanji will be adding something special. Tanabata, or the Star Festival, is held on July 7. The festival traces its origins to a legend that the Cowherd Star (Altair) and Weaver Star (Vega), lovers separated by the Milky Way, are allowed to meet just once a year — on the seventh day of the seventh month.
People write wishes on narrow strips of colored paper and hang them, along with other paper ornaments, on bamboo branches praying their wishes will come true. The Tanabata festival is thought to have started in China. It was transmitted to Japan during the feudal period and combined with traditional local customs to become an official event at the Imperial court. Commoners soon began observing this festival, with different localities developing distinctive ways of celebrating.
Tanabata Time at Puna will be celebrated on Saturday, from 4 to 6 p.m. Among the activities taking place on the temple grounds are taiko performances, tanabata crafts, hachimaki or headband making, and matsuri dancing. There will also be a craft fair in the Social Hall and the food booth will be open as well. The traditional bon dance will follow the Hatsubon service beginning 6 p.m.