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The
festival of Obon is a Japanese tradition which celebrates their
heritage and honors their ancestors.
The
dead are said to return during this period and Obon is the festival
to welcome them home.
This
is an important time for Japanese people because ancestors are held
in great admiration and have supernatural powers over those still
alive.
During
Obon, one should return home, be with family and remember those
who have passed on.
Obon
was first celebrated during the Middle Ages and is celebrated according
to the lunar calendar.
Traditional
activities include
prayers, eating, singing, and Japanese folk dancing with
the spirits of their ancestors.
Obon
begins with unkeh, when families
come together to celebrate a reunion with the spirits and each other.
Homes
are cleaned and Buddhist altars are decorated.
Vegetables,
sake, fruit, tea, water, flowers and sweets are left on family altars
to be blessed and offered to the spirits.
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| Lanterns
were used to guide the spirits |
On
the first evening of Obon, fires and incense are lit outside the
houses, and during
the celebrations bright red lanterns are hung everywhere.
The
lanterns were originally to guide the dead spirits home from the
spirit world and then back again, but they are usually lit at night
for the festival dances.
Bonfires
and fireworks are also common and young and old go from town to
town to see the different displays and dancing.
On
the second day of obon - nakabi, ancestors are offered three
meals.
Family
members
visit relatives and apologise to their ancestors for not communicating
with them in so long.
They
pray for forgiveness and protection and offer gifts to the spirits.
In
the past offerings were usually tea and tobacco, but more recently
daily necessities have been given.
The
third and final day of Obon is known as Ukui and after a
sumptuous farewell dinner, the spirits must return to their tombs.
When
Obon is over the fires help to send the spirits off.
The
tradition of the Obon dance comes from the story of Mogallana, who
with guidance from the historical Buddha was able to deliver his
deceased mother from the sufferings of a hell to the tranquil realm
of nirvana.
Mogallana
and his fellow monks began to dance for joy.
As
a result, Obon also is known as a gathering of joy.
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