We just finished our Obon Service and Obon Odori. I was pleasantly surprised by the number
    of non-temple members who joined in to dance the various Obon dances whether they knew the
    dances or not. Last year, even I danced, though it was only for the last few dances that ended our
    program. It was surprising even to me. For me, it's too bad that they have all these new dances each
    year. My speed would be “Tanko Bushi” and “Bon Odori,” and maybe “One Plus One Ondo.” It's
    hard to teach an old dog new tricks.
            When I started my ministry in Fresno in 1959, I was much more vigorous than today. One year,
    we had our Bon Odori right on the main street of Fresno in the heart of town. The Fresno temple
    was on the west side of Fresno known for its undesirable characters, so we took the dance to the
    very heart of the city. It was a joint Bon Odori with all the temples of Central Cal joining in. We had
    about 400 dancers at that time. We had tremendous publicity and a lot of people came out to watch.
    However, it was a one-time deal as each temple wanted their own Bon Odori in their own
    neighborhood. That year, there was a lot of inconvenience to all the participating temples and a loss
    of finances for them as well.
            Obon is actually a yearly observance dedicated to the dead. That's why at Obon time we have
    the Hatsubon Service for those who died in the one year following the previous Obon. Obon also
    remembers anyone who has passed away. In our sect, we call Obon KANGI-E. Translated it would
    be Festival of Joy. You might think, what is this? Joy at a time when we in our sadness are thinking
    of those that died? Is this proper? Jodo Shinshu would give it a resounding YES. I would like to
    explain.
            When we die, we are immediately transported to the Pure Land. We become Buddhas in our
    own right. This alone is a tremendous thought. Also on Obon night, we envision the deceased
    returning to their homes and then going back. The lanterns were there so they could see that it was
    their house. No mistake. The joy of becoming a Buddha. There is also this joy of homecoming and
    meeting family and friends. And finally, there is also the joy of the dance (odori). It stems from the
    story of Mogallana who was a disciple of the Buddha.
            Mogallana had great occult powers and used them frequently. At one time, he looked for his
    deceased mother and finally found her in the realm of hungry ghosts. She was all skin and bones
    and was constantly looking for something to eat. When she found food, she would try to eat, but the
    moment the food touched her mouth, it would burst into flames. So she was hungry all the time, not
    being able to eat.
            This bothered Mogallana deeply and he asked this person and that person what he could do to
    help her. No one seemed to know, so he finally went to the Buddha who told him if he would throw a
    big party for his fellow disciples, it would help his deceased mother.
            Mogallana had to run around quite a bit to be able to throw a party since he had no money. He
    had to rely on some rich merchants that he knew. Finally he was ready and invited his fellow monks
    to eat and drink with him. The disciples really enjoyed his party. In the course of the feast,
    Mogallana used his occult powers to search for his mother and finally found her in a higher realm.
    He was so happy that she was out of the realm of hungry ghosts that he got up and danced for joy.
    The other monks also started dancing.         This was the very first Bon Odori, a tradition which we
    are continuing some twenty-five hundred years later. The Festival of Joy comes from Mogallana’s
    dance to  express his great gratitude and joy.
          
        In Gassho
2009 AUG.
FESTIVAL OF JOY
By Rev. Akira Hata, Associate Minister
Dharma Message
HOME
 CONTACT REV. MUKOJIMA