pictured: Reverend Kodachi photo: Bob
Schlesinger
O-Bon, the Spirit Festival
Wednesday, August 11
8-9:30pm by the Admission Gate and Upper Pond
*This event is SOLD OUT. Please call (503) 542-0280 with any questions.
*No flash photography or tripods, please
O-Bon is a Buddhist memorial festival that dates back more than
a thousand years. Over a three-day period in mid-summer, families gather to pray for the
spirits of their ancestors. It is an annual reminder of the importance of family ties,
of respect for those who have gone before, and of the brevity and preciousness of our
lives together.
Join us for Bon Odori led by Ms. Sahomi Tachibana, the most
accomplished traditional Japanese dancer performing outside of Japan and a long-time
Portland resident and friend of the Portland Japanese Garden.
Following the dance outside the Garden’s admission gate, take part in
Toro Nagashi, which literally means “lantern floating”
and refers to the practice of floating lanterns on the water at O-bon
to light the way home to the heavens for the spirits of ancestors who are believed to visit
their families at this time of year. We are honored to have Reverend Zuigaku Kodachi lead
the solemn Buddhist chanting at this year’s Lantern Festival. Light a lantern for
someone you have loved and watch as the it flickers across the Garden’s Upper Pond
in memory of departed friends and family, and listen to the words of the elegant
Myohorengekyo—the Lotus Sutra which comforts and encourages
us all with a message of hope for the troubled spirits of our times.
Beginning in 2010, we are offering the opportunity to have Rev. Kodachi read the names of
recently deceased friends and relatives of Garden members as a part of the Buddhist prayers
chanted by the Upper Pond. If someone close to you has passed away with the past year,
please email Faith Nagasawa at fnagasawa@japanesegarden.com and leave a message with the
name to be read and your own name and phone number.
This members-only event at the Garden will be celebrated on Wednesday, August 11 from 8-9:30pm.
* Due to an event in Washington Park earlier in the evening, parking will be extremely
limited in the area. Carpooling and early arrival are suggested. Entrance to the event opens at
7:00pm though you may stroll the Garden if you arrive earlier.
O-Bon is a time to reflect on one's own immortality and remind ourselves that we are not alone, but that we are members of a vast and ancient society made up of both our forbearers and of future generations." — from a Japanese Garden MemberO-Bon at a temple in Nara, JapanO-Bon is the name of a Buddhist memorial festival that dates back more than 1300 years in Japan. On three days in mid-August, families gather to pray for the spirits of their ancestors, a reminder of the importance of family ties, of respect for those who have gone before us, and of the brevity and preciousness of our lives together.From August 13 - 15, Buddhist services are held at temples and homes throughout Japan to pray for one's ancestors and particularly for those who have died within the past year....
click to learn more »
