In Japan, O-Bon is an annual Buddhist event that takes place in August, to honor one’s ancestors, and pray for their souls. In Japanese culture, ancestors’ spirits are believed to temporarily return to this world to visit their relatives and descendants during O-Bon. As such, it is considered to be one of the most important holidays in Japan, marked by days off from work and visits to one’s ancestral home town or village.
To mark this important period of the Japanese Buddhist calendar, the Portland Japanese Garden will host an O-Bon event on August 19 and 20. This event will include the singing of Buddhist sutras and lighting of floating candles, which are said to guide the spirits back to their world in the heavens.
This solemn yet beautiful event is open to members of the Japanese Garden. For more information, please go to: https://japanesegarden.org/events/o-bon-the-spirit-festival-2023/
