“Mogallana, one of the Buddha’s ten foremost disciples, possessed the superhuman feat of being able to perceive things beyond this earthly existence. With the desire to see how his deceased mother was doing, he looked and found her reborn in the realm of hungry demons and suffering the fate of not being able to eat anything, because the food would turn to fire whenever she brought it to her mouth.
Seeing his mother’s plight, he sought the Buddha’s advice and was told to offer food to the monks after they had finished their rainy season retreat on the 15th day of the seventh month as an act of ‘Dana,’ selfless giving.
In this manner, not only will his mother be saved, but seven generations of parents will also be saved. Mogallana carried out the injunction of the Buddha, and his mother was able to rise from the realm of hungry demons. Everybody who saw this became so happy and joyful that they began to dance.”
This story forms the origin of the Obon Festival. It is from selections of “The Buddhist Holidays” by Reverend George E. Shibata, which was published by the Buddhist Churches of America.
Among the Japanese Buddhists, Obon has become a fixed way of life and is one of the most colorful events observed during the year. Sponsored by the San Luis Obispo Buddhist Church, the Obon Festival will be held Saturday, August 11 from 2 to 8 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Hall on Grand Avenue in San Luis Obispo.
Admission to the festival is free, and in prelude to the celebration, the San Luis Obispo Buddhist Church is offering free Japanese folk dance classes at the church every Thursday from July 12 to August 2 from 7 to 9 p.m. Participants will have the opportunity to perform at the festival as well.
“We want to create a public awareness of Japanese culture in this community,” Sandie Hirase said. “We want people to have fun and have a taste of Japanese culture.”
Hirase, 54, of Nipomo has been an active member of the San Luis Obispo Buddhist Church for 20 years. She said the festival has been happening annually in San Luis Obispo for at least 30 years.
The true significance of the Obon Festival to Buddhists lies in the re-dedication of themselves to the Buddhist way of life by reflecting upon the love, affection, compassion and virtues that their parents and those who have passed on have given them while they were still alive.
The celebration will feature an array of traditional and non-traditional Japanese food, such as Udon (a type of Japanese noodle), skewered beef, tempura (deep fried batter-dipped seafood and vegetables), gyoza (Japanese-style potstickers), strawberry shortcake and snow cones. There will also be beer and sake for sale, Hirase said.
A collection of Vendors will offer hand-made jewelry, hand-painted silk, 3-D crafts, women’s and children’s clothing embellished with Japnese fabrics and
designs, ornaments, Swarovski iron-on crystal designs, and Japanese tops and T-shirts for men, women and children, and much more, Hirase said.
Entertainment will include martial arts performances by 5 Cities Judo, Daito Ryu Aiki Jujitsu, taiko drumming, Japanese folk songs, Obon Odori folk dancing, the art of bonsai cutting and oriental brush painting.
Festival participants are welcome to join the dancing at anytime, Hirase said.