By Olivia Wolf
AsAmNews Intern
One of the most popular Buddhist festivals across the United States is Obon. Japanese Americans hold the religious and cultural celebration usually between July and September.
Hundreds gathered at the Oregon Buddhist Temple in Portland for one such celebration on Saturday. The festival ran for six hours and included taiko drumming, Bon Odori dance, and yakisoba.
“The Japanese word ‘Obon’ is from a Sanskrit word “ullambāna” which means ‘hanging downward,'” explained Reverend Yuki Sugahara. “We usually rely on our self-centered thoughts and judgement of good and bad. We should realize the foolishness of being self-centered, and try to nurture friendship and understanding”
According to legend, one of Buddha’s disciples, Mogallana, had a vision of his deceased mother in the Realm of Hungry Ghosts. Seeing her hanging upside down and suffering, he asked the Buddha how to help her.
The Buddha advised Mogallana to offer food to the monks, and upon doing this, his mother was released. Filled with joy, he danced, marking the origin of the Obon festivals.
The festivities also incorporated Portland Ondo, a song and dance piece created through a collaboration of Oregon Buddhist Temple members and local choreographer Sahomi Tachibana. The piece celebrated the joyous lives of Buddhists living in Portland.
Reverand Sugahara was born into a temple family in Japan and became a priest when he was 16. He has been at the Oregon Buddhist Temple for two months. Sugahara considers being a Buddhist in Oregon to be both fun and challenging.
“It is my pleasure to have this opportunity to share the dharma (teaching) with people in Portland,” he said. “I want people to realize that dancing together is fun! I want people to realize our nature of being self-centered and think about our speech and action of daily lives.”
The Oregon Buddhist Temple was the first Buddhist institute in Oregon. It was founded in 1903 to serve the needs of the Portland’s Japanese community.
The temple follows a sect called Shin Buddhism, which is also called “Blue Collar” Buddhism because it caters to the average person.
Many followers of religion seek to understand the meaning of life. Reverand Sugahara remembers when Buddhism gave him an answer after the passing of his mother 16 years ago.
“The meaning of our lives is—instead of being selfish—to realize that we are living because of the efforts and sacrifices of others. Life is impermanent, nothing stays here forever, so we should treasure the moment with family and friends. ”
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