The Obon Festival In Japan
The Obon Festival In Japan
The Obon Festival is celebrated by the Buddhists in Japan. It is a time when family comes together to remember ancestors. The occasion is considered important and although not a holiday, many families do take vacation and return to the family home in order to pay respect to the spirits of the departed.
This is usually celebrated on the 15th of the seventh month, however with the change of the calendars from lunar to Gregorian (Solar) the festival is celebrated in various districts at different periods based on the calendar being followed. The common date is that of the 15th of the seventh month (which varies according to the calendar), some choose between the 13th and the 16th of August and others choose the 15thof July. The dates may differ but the celebrations remain the same.
It is said that this festival originates from a story many years ago of a Buddhist using the supernatural powers bestowed on him to see the spirit of his deceased mother. To his dismay he was able to see his mother suffering and wondered what could be done to release the spirit from this realm of unhappiness. He was instructed by Buddha to make an offering to the monks on the 15th of the seventh month and having done this he was able to see his mother released from the bondage and suffering into happiness, but he was also privileged to see the sacrifices and selflessness shown by his mother in order to ensure his happiness and success, it is often said that a mother's love has no boundaries and this was a perfect example of the price being paid in the afterlife. The Buddhist was happy for the release of his mother and very thankful for what she had done for him and so begun the Obon festival.
The houses are cleaned, and food is offered up to the altar for the spirits of the ancestors. Flowers and paper lanterns also adorn the altar in expectation of the spirits of the dearly departed loved ones returning home. The families also visit the cemeteries and graves of the departed to call the spirits back to the homes and the spirits can be guided with a fire placed at the entrance of the home. On the afternoon or the day after the celebrations the spirits are led back to their graves, lanterns floating down the river with a candle is indicative of this part of the ritual, or paper lanterns with the family name on them lead the way back to the graves.
During this period the scent of incense is very heavy in the air and the traditional dance performed in the neighbourhood to celebrate this period is the Bon Odori, it is considered a joyous folk dance which symbolises appreciation for the ancestors, there will also be games and rides and various foods being shared during the Obon festival. During this period of festivity in the summer the common wear is the Yukata or kimono. Famous Destinations of Eco Tourism in South India Top 5 Things to do at the Edinburgh Festival in 2010 luxury Villas in Cyprus can offer you the best deal to buy for living a peacefyl life Make Comparison between PDF Files with Either of the Two Given Ways Diwali: The Festival of Gifts The Benefits of All Inclusive Travel Packages Organizations Oppose California Climate Action Find Perfect Location with London Hotels near Tube Stations Tours,South India Let's Share Golf Mind Skills for Tournament Play The Best Ways To Give Her An Orgasm - 3 Overlooked Tricks To Triple The Intensity Of Her Climax! Halloween Haven't Gone Away with your iPod Marvels of perfection – The Golden Triangle Tours