Obonfest at Oregon Buddhist Temple

Obon is an annual Buddhist event for commemorating one's ancestors. It is believed that each year during obon, the ancestors' spirits return to this world in order to visit their relatives.

Traditionally, lanterns are hung in front of houses to guide the ancestors' spirits, obon dances (bon odori) are performed, graves are visited and food offerings are made at house altars and temples. 

At the end of Obon, floating lanterns are put into rivers, lakes and seas in order to guide the spirits back into their world. The customs followed vary strongly from region to region. 

Oregon Buddhist Temple will be celebrating Obon on Saturday August 4, 2012.  The program gets underway at 3:00 pm until 9:pm.  Obondori dancing starts at approximately 6:30. Admission is free.

Location: 3720 SE 34th Ave, Portland, OR 97202

Join us for food, gifts, entertainment and dancing. This year's Obonfest features -- 
Food items: yakisoba, yakiniku, yakitori, shave ice, manju, chirashi sushi, beer garden, soft drinks, Spam musubi

Program: Tanuki Taiko, Portland Taiko*, Martial Arts Demonstration, Temple Talks, Bon Odori (public dance)

Vendors: Michiko Selby (Oshie art using chiyogami paper), Miwa McCree (massage), Kaori Oya (Shiatsu massage), Hiroshi Ogawa (Japanese Pottery), Margie Yap from Sweet Persimmon (handmade purses and meditation products), Karen Fullerton (notecards and art), Kinokuniya Bookstore (Japanese books, music, misc items) Others: Omiyage shop, T-shirt sale, children's corner, raffle

I will be there with a booth to sell handbags, meditation seats, incense, matcha, and basic tea ceremony utensils. And I tell you, the spam musubi can't be beat.