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THE MEANING OF O-BON SERVICE

    The word O-bon is an abbreviation of Urabon, which comes from the Sanskrit word Ullambana. Ullambana literally means "hanging upside down," denoting that the hungry spirits have as pain as if they were hanging upside down. The observance of the O-bon festival is based upon the Ullambana Sutra, which tells the story of Mokuren and his quest to save his mother from the torments of the realm of Hungry Ghosts.

    As the legend goes, 2,500 years ago in India there lived a man named Mokuren who became a disciple of Shakyamuni Buddha. As a monk, Mokuren gained the ability to see anywhere by his super natural eyes. By using his super natural eyes, he saw the realm of Hungry Ghosts. Much to Mokuren’s surprise, he found his own mother suffering in the realm of there. She was thin and drawn, nothing but skin and bones, with a pot belly. Her eyes were full of tears as she yearned in constant agony for sustenance. Mokuren immediately brought food to his mother, but she could not receive it because at the moment she was about to eat, the food turned into fiery burning coals. Mokuren returned to the Buddha to explain what he had witnessed, and asked the Buddha what he could do to save his mother from such torments. The Buddha said, "your mother's sins are deep and firmly rooted. You alone do not have enough power to save her.

    Although Mokuren knew that he could not do it on his own power, he asked the Buddha if there was any way at all that his mother could ever be rescued. The Buddha said that the fifteenth day of the seventh month is the day when all the Buddha’s disciples would assemble in spirit from the all directions. If Mokuren would make many unselfish offerings to them then his “present father and mother, parents of seven generations, as well as the close relatives, will escape from the three horrible sufferings.” So Mokuren gathered the offerings of many fruits, incense, oil, lamps, candles, bedding and other necessities, and offered them to the monks on that day. It was in this way that Mokuren was able to save his mother from the realm of Hungry Ghosts.

   So in accord with Shakyamuni Buddha’s teachings, the O-bon ceremonies will usually begin on July 15^th. These ceremonies are conducted by the priests in front of a special altar in the temple that is decorated with colorful lanterns and small paper banners of the five Buddhist colors. At the people’s homes a small altar may also be made, because the spirits of their ancestors are believed to visit their old homes during this season.

    The first day of O-bon is called Mukae-bon (the welcoming day), and the last day is called Okuri-bon (the farewell day). On the eve of the Mukae-bon, people will go to the graveyard carrying beautiful lanterns, as they welcome the spirits of their ancestors back home. Horses made of cucumbers and egg-plants with legs are prepared and placed in front of the tombstone for the ancestors to mount. At home, people will enjoy a happy reunion with the spirits by holding a special feast of cake, fresh fruits and vegetables. During this season, the Bon dance is held at many temples in connection with the Bon service. It is said that to see us dance pleases the ancestors’ spirits. On the last day of Okuri-bon, people send off those spirits with a Shoryobune, a miniature boat, filled with all kinds of food, or with a lit lantern. It is said that the boats will go across the ocean and reach the other shore safely, so until the next O-bon the spirits would never feel hungry or lonesome in the other world.

   O-bon is actually more like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Thanksgiving Day all rolled into one. It is most certainly a custom with a very mystical form. We should know that O-bon is held not only in remembrance and respect of the dead, but also for those of us who are still living in this world. It gives us a deep meaning of giving without being selfish, which the Buddha had taught as “Unselfish Practice” (dana-paramita) over 2,500 years ago. It is the realization of thankfulness and appreciation to the many others who made our very existence possible, and at the same time we are reminded to feel compassion for all those weaker than ourselves who are suffering. In this sense, it is necessary for us to pause and think about the many kindnesses shown to us, and to renew our responsibility to do our best for the welfare of mankind.

JODO MISSION DEN DO SERIES No. 3