2023 - 49th Annual White River Buddhist Temple Summer Bon Odori Festival (Food Booths, Beer Garden, Bon Odori, Kimono Shop..) Saturday [Video]NEW

White River Buddhist Temple annual Bon Odori Festival will be held on a Saturday. Everyone is welcome to join us to dance for joy to our loved ones who have passed away and to honor our ancestors.

White River Buddhist Temple is a Jodo Shinshu Temple and is part of the national umbrella organization of Buddhist Churches of America ( BCA ).

This is a public event.

Bon Odori Date
July 22, 2023 - Saturday

Bon Odori Time
4:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Program (See Website)
* Okinawa Kenjin Kai Taiko, Dance, and Uta Group
* Children's Lantern Parade led by a Shishimai (Lion Dog)
* Short Hatsubon Service
* Welcome Speech by Mayor of Auburn
* Bon Odori Dances Part I
* Intermission - Seattle Taiko Matsuri Group
* Bon Odori Dances Part II

Bon Odori Background
Obon (お盆) is the Japanese Buddhist holiday to honor the spirits of one's ancestors. Obon is celebrated with the Bon Odori dance and Toro Nagashi (the floating of lanterns inscribed with the names of ancestors.) The floating of lanterns down the river symbolizes the return of ancestral spirits to the other shore, from whence they came. The Children's Lantern parade also symbolizes the Toro Nagashi since each child carries a lantern inscribed with a departed Sangha member's name.

Bon Odori dancing originated from the story of Mokuren who was a disciple of the Buddha. It has significant religious importance and is the highlight of the Obon festival. According to Rev. Mas Kodani, Bon Odori dancing is a spirited activity in which we dance without fretting over how we look, no showing off one's ability, no flaunting, just dance and you will feel fulfillment and pure ego-less joy.

Our Bon Odori dancing consists of 16 songs. It starts with "Mi Kokoro" sacred heart of Shinran and ends with Goshu Ondo. Everyone is welcome to join in the dancing on the outer circle. The inner circle is reserved for dance instructors and guest dancers. This year we have added a new dance, "Nembutsu Daiko". Nembutsu is a special chant to show mindfulness of the Buddha and to achieve a spiritual awakening. The White River Buddhist Temple is a Mahayana Buddhist temple in the Jodo Shinshu Tradition which worships Amida Buddha of infinite light and life. Its Primal Vow promises the universal enlightenment of all beings.

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(PREVIOUS YEAR)

Schedule
4:00 pm: All Booths Open.
4:00 pm: Okinawa Kenjin-Kai Eisa Taiko Performance.
5:00 pm: Children's Lantern Parade, Shishi-mai (Lion-dance).
5:30 pm: Bon Odori Service - Everyone is welcome to attend.
6:00 pm: Opening Greetings and Introductions.
6:15 pm: Bon Odori Dancing Begins - Everyone is welcome to join in the dancing.

Parking
Flat field parking is available within our Temple's ground.

Obon Dance Practice Dates Locate All Practice Dates
Time: 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Dates: July .. 


Find ALL Japanese Summer Festivals


Celebrate the Japanese Culture: food, performances and dancing.
(Please always confirm date & times, the schedule could change)

Title
Annual White River Buddhist Temple Summer Bon Odori Festival (Saturday) [Video] Food Booths, Beer Garden, Bon Odori, Kimono Shop..

Location
White River Buddhist Temple, 3625 Auburn Way North, Auburn, WA 98002