Koganji Temple Bon Dance

With the end of August came the end of bon dance season in Hawaii. One of the annual favorites is Koganji Temple’s Bon Dance. The food at this year’s bon dance included the usual favorites: grilled teriyaki corn, spare ribs, beef stew and much more. There were also some new items like peanut butter mochi and homemade kaki mochi.

People come from all over to this Buddhist temple in Manoa every year for some of the best bon dance eats. What most people don’t realize though (probably because their enjoying the ono food) is this may be the only temple around that actually explains to everyone the meaning of Obon.

For those that come to Koganji’s Bon Dance and are able to catch what the emcees are saying they’ll hear an interesting story on the meaning Obon. The Obon season is a brief period during the year when our ancestors are allowed to return to our world and visit with us. Some people might be aware of that but the emcees at Koganji’s Bon Dance go into more detail with the following story:

The bon dance is a ritual that has a history several thousand years long. This history starts with Mokuren Sonja, a disciple of the Buddha, who in meditation looked upon his mother who had died. He saw her hanging in the path of hungry ghosts, caught between hell and paradise. To save her the Buddha instructed Mokuren Sonja to make offerings to the many priests who had just completed their summer retreat. Upon following the Buddha’s instructions Mokuren Sonja danced for joy when his mother and seven generations of his ancestors were freed from suffering. Thus began the ritual of Obon.

Our dancing and partaking of food represent offerings to ease the spirits of our ancestors during this season when they return to visit with us. Our joyous dancing demonstrates to them our own well being while food offerings satisfy the hungry ghosts who haunt them.

This spiritual caring for our ancestors also reminds us of the importance of caring for one another in the present so that we experience true happiness and universal peace.

Besides providing everyone with the meaning of Obon, there are other things that make Koganji’s Bon Dance unique, special, and more than just good eats. However, I’ll save that for another blog. If you’re curious though, you will just have to wait until next year...

Koganji’s Bon Dance is usually in the beginning of August each year. For more information on their events go to Koganji Temple.