Namo Amida Butsu
The 2025 Obon season began on Maui in June, and many residents—as well as visitors from across the U.S. and abroad—came together to enjoy our island’s vibrant cultural events. Obon has become one of Hawai‘i’s most cherished traditions. Regardless of religious background, people gather at temples to enjoy delicious food and participate in the joyful Bon Dance.
At Wailuku Hongwanji and many other Buddhist temples, Hatsu-bon and Obon services are held prior to the Bon Dance. Hatsu-bon is a special memorial service that honors loved ones who have passed away since the previous year’s Obon season. These services offer families and friends a chance to reflect on their loss, express gratitude, and find comfort through the teachings of the Buddha.
However, I’ve often heard a common misunderstanding— even among Buddhist church members—that Obon and Hatsu-bon services are only meant for families who have experienced a recent loss. As a result, some people may choose not to attend the service if they haven’t lost someone recently, instead waiting outside to enjoy the food booths or dancing. While it is natural to be drawn to the festive atmosphere, it is important to understand that the heart of Obon lies in its spiritual meaning.
Food and fellowship are certainly meaningful parts of the Obon celebration. They provide nourishment for our bodies and support for our temple through fundraising efforts. But Obon, at its core, is a religious observance—a time to reflect, express gratitude, and honor those who have passed on, regardless of when they departed this life.
I’d like to share a deeper history of the Bon Dance that is often less well-known but especially meaningful for Nembutsu followers. Most are familiar with the story of Moggalana, whose act of filial devotion to his mother is said to be the origin of Obon. However, during Japan’s Heian period (around 1180), a practice called Odori Nembutsu— dancing while chanting the Nembutsu—became closely tied to Obon rituals.
These early rituals were understood as a way to welcome the spirits of the departed and offer them special memorial services. In the Kamakura period (1185– 1333), Ippen Shōnin (1239– 1289), founder of the Ji sect, inherited Odori Nembutsu from his teacher, Kūya. Ippen taught that when we recite the Nembutsu, a sense of profound awareness and joy naturally arises in our hearts. Expressing this joy through movement and dance gave rise to what we now recognize as the Bon Dance.
Communities across Japan embraced Ippen Shōnin’s teachings. Dancing became a joyful and embodied way to express gratitude for Amida Buddha’s compassion and the gift of the Nembutsu. As time passed, these practices evolved. People began to wear colorful garments, incorporate musical instruments, and develop regional styles of Bon Dance, turning it into both a spiritual and communal event.
By the Muromachi period (1336–1568), drums and other instruments made the music livelier and more accessible to all. Dances were often held on July 15, when the full moon lit up the evening sky, and torches provided a warm glow to the gathering. In the Edo period, as communities became more stable and prosperous, Bon Dance celebrations flourished across Japan—sometimes continuing well into the fall season.
Today, it is common to build a yagura (a raised platform) in the center of the dance circle, where singers and musicians perform. These ondo-tori lead the dancers with their voices, a tradition that predates microphones and sound systems. The yagura itself is believed to have originated from early Odori Nembutsu practices, reminding us that the roots of our celebration are spiritual and profound.
Bon Dance has always been more than entertainment—it served as a way to strengthen community bonds and foster a sense of unity and pride. Even neighboring villages developed their own unique songs and movements, which is why we still enjoy a variety of Bon Dance music today. Songs such as Fukushima Ondo, Iwakuni Ondo, Tankō Bushi from Fukuoka, and Kawachi Ondo from Osaka reflect the rich diversity of the tradition.
For us as Jōdo Shinshū Hongwanji followers, the true significance of Obon lies in encountering the Nembutsu— Amida Buddha’s call to us, filled with infinite wisdom and compassion. We believe that those who have passed on return to us as Buddhas (gensō eko), gently guiding us toward the truth of life. For this reason, we refer to the Obon service as Kangi-e, or the “Joyful Gathering.”
As we enter this meaningful season, may we participate in the Obon services with open hearts. Whether or not we’ve experienced a recent loss, this is a time for all of us to remember and honor our loved ones, reflect on the impermanence of life, and walk the spiritual path together. In doing so, we come to appreciate the deeper meaning of the Bon Dance and the profound joy of being part of this timeless tradition.
