A Buddhist season of remembrance kicks off Saturday with a dance and festival at Keauhou Shopping Center.
Obon dancing dates back to the time of Buddha, when a disciple’s mother was suffering in hell. Buddha helped release the mother from hell and the disciple, so overcome with joy, began to dance.
“It’s a time when Buddhists remember their ancestors in particular and pay their respects to them,” said the Rev. Jiko Nakada of the Daifukuji Soto Mission.
The season isn’t just about the obon dances, Nakada said. It’s also a time for Buddhists to attend services at the mission. One special service, called feeding the hungry spirits, or seijiki-e in Japanese, is for spirits other than just ancestors, Nakada said.
“It’s held to alleviate the suffering of spirits that have not attained spiritual liberation,” she said.
Nakada sees another theme during obon.
“It’s also a season to bring families together and communities together,” she said, noting the big, season kick-off event is at Keauhou Shopping Center, not a temple. The location may make community members who do not attend a Buddhist temple feel more comfortable attending.
Community members will also “just enjoy the atmosphere, the dancing, the taiko drumming, the food,” she said.
The Kona Hongwanji Mission in Kealakekua organizes the annual event, which has in the past attracted 300 to 400 attendees, organizers said in past years.
The event will offer a mix of traditional dances, the kind Nakada danced growing up in Kona, and more modern ones, she said. She said she hasn’t seen the ceremony itself change much since her childhood.
“Although in some cases, maybe the younger generations don’t fully understand what the service means at the temple,” Nakada said. “Hopefully we can keep the meaning fresh and alive.”
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Here is a partial list of obon events on Hawaii Island, with phone numbers to call for more information:
Saturday, Keauhou Shopping Center, 6 to 10 p.m. 323-2993
June 15, Honomu Henjoji Mission, 7 p.m. 963-6308
June 22, Papaikou Hongwanji Mission, 7 p.m. 964-1640
June 29, Honomu Hongwanji Mission, 7 p.m. 963-6032
July 5, Puna Hongwanji Mission, 7 p.m. 966-9981
July 6, Kohala Hongwanji Mission, 7 p.m. 775-7232
July 6, Puna Hongwanji Mission, 7 p.m. 966-9981
July 12, Hilo Meishoin Mission, 7:30 p.m. 935-6996
July 13, Daifukuji Soto Mission, 322-3524
July 13, Hilo Meishoin Mission, 8 p.m. 935-6996
July 13, Paauilo Hongwanji Mission, 7 p.m. 776-1369
July 19, Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin, 8 p.m. 961-6677
July 20, Honokaa Hongwanji Mission, 7 p.m. 775-7232
July 20, Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin, 8 p.m. 961-6677
July 27, Hilo Hooganji Mission, 7:30p.m. 935-8331
July 27, Kona Hongwanji Mission, 7 p.m. 323-2993
July 27, Papaaloa Hongwanji Mission, 6 p.m. 962-6340
Aug. 3, Kurtistown Jodo Mission, 8 p.m. 966-9777
Aug. 3, Taishoji Soto Mission, 935-8407
Aug. 10, Hamakua Jodo Mission, 775-0965
Aug. 10, Higashi Hongwanji Mission, 8 p.m. 935-8968
Aug. 16, Life Care Center, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 17, Hakalau Jodo Mission, 8 p.m. 963-6110
Aug. 17, Kamuela Hongwanji Mission, 7 p.m. 885-4481
Aug. 24, Pahoa YBA Kaikan, 8 p.m. 966-9981
Aug. 31, Honohina Hongwanji Mission, 7 p.m. 963-6032
