Something About Obon Festival

O-bon (Japanese お盆) or just Bon (the "O" is a Japanese Honorativpräfix) is a Japanese Buddhist holiday to rescue the spirits of deceased ancestors.

Formation

The origins go back to the Hindu Diwali festival (= Deepavali, Festival of Lights), merged with Avalambana, the power-Preta (hungry ghosts) and the one held on the same day, Chung-yuen Taoist rites back.

Obon is a shortened form of the Sanskrit word for avalambana or ullambana hang upside down in hell and suffer what the hungry ghosts (preta happens), but allowed to return once a year from the underworld. Through their symbolic power to alleviate their suffering in hell.

There is a special Avalambana Sutra (Chinese 孟兰 盆 经, Yúlánpénjīng, Japanese Urabon-kyo), approved by the Chinese translation Dharmarakshas Elder. (Chinese 竺 法 护, Zhu Fǎhù, Japanese Jiku Hogo, the Western Jin) has come to Japan.

Through her the versatile ceremonial of All Souls (15th of the seventh lunar month, and later 13 to 16 is.) Allerseelen with victims Urabon-kuyō, - especially for father and mother of seven current and previous generations - shown as emanating from Shakyamuni . Japanischerseits copy received from the 15th Tempyō years (743) a fascicle.

The introduction of "light component of the O-Bon (of Basil Chamberlain as" lantern festival "was called) in Japan until 1230 on the orders of Go-Horikawa Tennō instead. T

he burning of the stake (often in the form of the sign Dai, therefore Daimonji no hi), on the evening of 16 should go back to Kobo Daishi. In any case, it has its origin in Shingon or Tendai rites. The tantric school has also created a variety of Pretaspeisungs-sacrificial rites (including Segaki-ho, Ikitama-e).

be on the last night at Tōrōnagashi (灯 籠 流し) lanterns float left for the souls of the dead lead.

This originally Buddhist religious festival is now also become a family reunion holiday during which people from the big cities return to their home towns and visit the graves of their ancestors and clean.

Traditionally associated with a dance festival, Obon in Japan has existed for more than 500 years. It is in the eastern part of Japan (Kanto) of 13 July (welcome Obon) to 16 July (Farewell Obon) and in the western part of Japan celebrated in August. In recent years put most parts of Tokyo into the Obon summer holiday period in August.

Associated with the Obon dances are derived from the story of a disciple of Buddha, Maudgalyayana (Japanese Mokuren), who saw a vision of his deceased mother in "Kingdom of the hungry ghosts, where they gave themselves of selfishness.

Horrified, he went to Buddha and asked him how he could free his mother from this realm of spirits. Buddha replied that he was on 15 July a big feast for the last seven generations of the dead host. The disciple did this and thus achieved the liberation of his mother.

At the same time he realized it her selflessness and the many sacrifices they had made for him. The disciples danced for joy, happy for the release of his mother, and grateful for their kindness.

derived from the dance of joy "Bon Odori" or "Bon Dance", with the O-bon to the ancestors and their sacrifice is remembered.

Obon is similar to the Mexican Día de Los Muertos, in some aspects, the Christian dead Sunday.


Traditions

The Obon is celebrated in Japan. Originally, the people danced nenbutsu to the spirits of the dead to be welcomed.

The type of celebration is slightly different from region to region. The prefectures of Japan have often their own way, the Bon Odori dance, and their own music to it.

Thus, for example, a Bon Odori in the prefecture of Okayama quite different than one in Kanagawa Prefecture. The played music ranging from classical music to traditional Japanese music to Makko Ondo.


Source: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obon


See Also: International Flower Delivery, Florist